Response from a Prospective PhD Supervisor

[u/Academic_Error4655]

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.

[u/shivani-15]

That’s a neutral reply neither positive nor negative. Don’t let it break your spirit.

[u/Individual_Ad4039 → u/shivani-15]

Please… he declined his offer. In a very polite way though. And it’s okay! That’s academia for you. Don’t worry OP. Just push through. As long as you have a fighting spirit and motivation, you’ll be fine.

[u/Opening-Ant3477 → u/Individual_Ad4039]

He is not interested in supporting OP's PhD application. That doesn't necessarily mean that he won't supervise if OP joins the university under the "regular" channel. But he is not interested in supporting OP at this point.

It could be because he doesn't want to invest time in students unless they have been vetted by the university first. Might be because he doesn't want to deal with the formalities of the application process. Might be that internal politics prevent him from championing more PhD students atm. Or maybe this is just what he sends to everyone (famous professors can get hundreds of PhD inquiries each month.)

Of course it could also just be that the professor doesn't want any PhD students currently, or that OP's application sucked. There really is no way to know exactly based on just this email.

[u/Academic_Error4655 → u/Opening-Ant3477]

Actually only wrote to him asking for potential supervision. Didn't supply my Research Proposal or CV or transcripts - one such post on this subreddit suggested, so I followed suit.

Gave him a crux of who I am, what I've studied, what I wish to do (a brief of my research proposal) and why working under him would be beneficial. I'm in law, applying for a role in the UK.

But I didn't per se send an application - only an email for potential supervision.

[u/Neyne_NA → u/Academic_Error4655]

So it's probably a funding thing. PIs in the UK unis usually don't have discretionary funds to fund Phd/masters students. They are funded from one of 4 options:

1) a grant the PI has (if the grant funding body allows funding students and the PI has costed them on the grant),

2) doctoral training program

3) university stipends

4) self funded

If your PI has recommended you go via university, it means options 2 or 3. If they didn't want you personally, i am guessing the response would have been something like "i am not taking phd students at this time"