Is it hard to change intrestes as a grad student?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the challenges and possibilities of changing research interests as a graduate student in physics. It explores the implications of shifting focus from one area of study, such as nuclear physics, to others like condensed matter theory or high-energy physics theory.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that changing interests is usually acceptable, provided the university has a program in the new area and faculty openings for graduate students.
  • Another participant shares their personal experience of starting in low-temperature physics but ultimately shifting to experimental high-energy physics due to their programming skills, indicating that such changes can occur based on evolving interests and skills.
  • A different viewpoint asserts that changing interests is not easy, particularly in the early stages of graduate study.
  • Another participant claims that transitioning from experimental optics to theoretical solid state physics was not difficult for them.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the ease of changing research interests, with some indicating it is generally feasible while others believe it can be challenging, especially early in a graduate program. No consensus is reached on the overall difficulty of making such changes.

Contextual Notes

Some responses depend on specific university policies and the availability of faculty, which may vary widely. Individual experiences also highlight the role of personal skills and interests in the decision to change focus.

Who May Find This Useful

Graduate students considering a shift in research focus, academic advisors, and those interested in the dynamics of graduate education in physics.

epislon58
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Suppose you apply to a grad school with interestes in nuclear physics experiment and then you are accepted, but you then change your mind to maybe cmt or hep theory. Would it be possible to change?
 
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It depends, but it is usually OK. The university needs to have a program in that area, and the professors have to have openings for graduate students.
 
When I started grad school, I thought I might go into low-temperature physics, and in fact spent my first summer working with a research group in that area, tinkering with a helium-3 dilution refrigerator. I ended up doing my Ph.D. in experimental HEP because I was into computer programming. This was back in the 1970s when programming skills weren't as common as they are now, and the HEP guys were the heaviest users of programming talent at the time.
 
No, especially early on.
 
started in experimental optics, ended up with PhD in Theoretical Solid State... it isn't hard at all...
 
thank you very informative.
 

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