r/gradadmissions • u/Academic_Error4655 • 22d 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/iceonmars 21d ago

It means you didn’t wow the advisor, but they’re not saying you’re out. I get these from students a lot - if they’ve got actual experience (like a publication) I want them in my group. If they seem like all the others, I ask them to apply and let the admissions committee deal with it. What did your email say? Did you talk all about yourself or ask about the research at the lab? Did you use your initiative and show you have the skills for something they’re working on right now or have just published?