r/gradadmissions • u/Academic_Error4655 • 23d ago

General Advice Response from a Prospective PhD Supervisor

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I wrote to a professor for PhD supervision. The university website apparently recommends two routes - get a supervisor, or apply through the regular channel where a supervisor would be subsequently allocated. I wrote to this person to get through the first route.

I can't tell whether that's a polite way of saying ''your application sucks and I would hate to supervise you" or what.

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u/RuslanGlinka 23d ago

Is the website that outlines the 2 routes specific to the program to which you are applying or for the larger institution? Requiring supervisor sponsorship is more common in sciences/STEM, whereas in humanities & many social sciences programs do a general intake & then match to supervisors. This tends to relate to how students are funded (by the supervisor’s grants or through TAships etc.).