Physics GRE Discussion Forums

I have done a summer project in theoretical cosmology basically dark energy and stuff. i wrote to some schools and i have got +ve reply in a way that the prof said that he will keep an eye for my application, now suppose i apply to grad school mentioning my primary interest in cosmology grp and also mention my interest in other groups like HEP th, then do i have a better chance of admission as compared if i state my primary interest in HEP th, since i have my research project in cosmology?
also incase i want to change my field of interest to HEP th after my 2 yrs of grad courses then how flexible will it be? will they pin me down with the proposed interest i had stated in my SOP?

You can change your field of interest easily; no one will stop you. However, there are advantages to not switching: profs who read the applications will keep in mind who looks good in their area of interest, and may pass word on to their colleagues: "hey, John Smith is interested in your field and looks good". This makes it easier / quicker to get into a good group. When you switch fields, you are back to square one since no one will know you in that area.

So, I suggest you fill in the application with the thing you actually want to do. Then, if you change your mind, just switch.

Best of Luck!

surjective wrote:You can change your field of interest easily; no one will stop you. However, there are advantages to not switching: profs who read the applications will keep in mind who looks good in their area of interest, and may pass word on to their colleagues: "hey, John Smith is interested in your field and looks good". This makes it easier / quicker to get into a good group. When you switch fields, you are back to square one since no one will know you in that area.

So, I suggest you fill in the application with the thing you actually want to do. Then, if you change your mind, just switch.

Best of Luck!

Thank you very much