23 Mar 2022

Harvard University

Physics, PhD (F22)

Wait listed via E-mail on 23 Mar 2022

Note

Ignore Waitlist: Looks like its been a tough year for HEP-th. I got into one program, but its not a very big HEP-th program. 5 students, 4 faculty (One string theorist with H-index of around 27, 3 lattice gauge theorists, another string theorist that *just* retired ), minimal funding, no classes on string theory etc offered. I'm wondering; is it possible to be successful in such a program? By success I mean is it possible to continue a career in HEP-th in academia or otherwise after graduating from such a program ? If not, should I try to switch subfields ? I really want to do HEP-th but I also don't want to graduate with no career prospects and another 5 years of regret. Honestly just feeling a bit lost and unsure of what I should do. When I visited I didn't get a good feeling about the HEP-th group. If I decide to switch, should I consider reapplying next year for something else, or should I just take what I have and make the most of it ? The university I got into is very very very good (best in the world) for a few select subfields, but I'm not sure I would want to switch into those subfields. My background is in experimental physics and condensed matter, so maybe if I applied again for something more like condensed matter I'd have better luck ? Re applying would be a giant pain, and who knows, maybe I wouldn't even get in anywhere if I reapplied, but I really don't feel great about the place I got into. (Also I really don't want to do anything other than HEP-th, but I'd rather spend 5 years being successful at something else than 5 years failing at HEP-th) TL;DR- I got into one HEP-th program, but I don't have a very good feeling about it and don't know what to do. Also sorry for posting this here, I didn't know where else to post this.

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