What did my referee mean by asking about my “Plan B”?












26















I am applying for PhD this Fall. Came across one of my referees today, had a great conversation and then he asked if I had a plan B if I would not be admitted. Does it mean he thinks I'm not good enough?










share|improve this question




















  • 74





    When in doubt, someone probably meant what they said and no more.

    – Thomas
    Dec 6 '18 at 21:59






  • 30





    @Thomas That's also great advice for infuriating passive-aggressive, sarcastic people. "Wow, you're clearly familiar with basic geometry." "Thanks!" "It wasn't a compliment." "Sure sounded like one. Thanks!"

    – Nic Hartley
    Dec 7 '18 at 0:54






  • 4





    I wonder whether your referee wanted to offer a Plan B, but that's wild speculation! As answered below: Don't overthink this.

    – user2768
    Dec 7 '18 at 10:35








  • 2





    Maybe this referee is actually looking for someone themselves and were interested to know if you might be interested if your other PhD application falls through. Who knows?

    – J...
    Dec 7 '18 at 12:55








  • 1





    Just to be clear, you're not applying to a single place for a PhD, are you? I suppose that's unlikely, but just checking.

    – Faheem Mitha
    Dec 9 '18 at 9:08
















26















I am applying for PhD this Fall. Came across one of my referees today, had a great conversation and then he asked if I had a plan B if I would not be admitted. Does it mean he thinks I'm not good enough?










share|improve this question




















  • 74





    When in doubt, someone probably meant what they said and no more.

    – Thomas
    Dec 6 '18 at 21:59






  • 30





    @Thomas That's also great advice for infuriating passive-aggressive, sarcastic people. "Wow, you're clearly familiar with basic geometry." "Thanks!" "It wasn't a compliment." "Sure sounded like one. Thanks!"

    – Nic Hartley
    Dec 7 '18 at 0:54






  • 4





    I wonder whether your referee wanted to offer a Plan B, but that's wild speculation! As answered below: Don't overthink this.

    – user2768
    Dec 7 '18 at 10:35








  • 2





    Maybe this referee is actually looking for someone themselves and were interested to know if you might be interested if your other PhD application falls through. Who knows?

    – J...
    Dec 7 '18 at 12:55








  • 1





    Just to be clear, you're not applying to a single place for a PhD, are you? I suppose that's unlikely, but just checking.

    – Faheem Mitha
    Dec 9 '18 at 9:08














26












26








26


1






I am applying for PhD this Fall. Came across one of my referees today, had a great conversation and then he asked if I had a plan B if I would not be admitted. Does it mean he thinks I'm not good enough?










share|improve this question
















I am applying for PhD this Fall. Came across one of my referees today, had a great conversation and then he asked if I had a plan B if I would not be admitted. Does it mean he thinks I'm not good enough?







phd






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited Dec 7 '18 at 2:44









Oddthinking

1053




1053










asked Dec 6 '18 at 21:34









John DoeJohn Doe

13423




13423








  • 74





    When in doubt, someone probably meant what they said and no more.

    – Thomas
    Dec 6 '18 at 21:59






  • 30





    @Thomas That's also great advice for infuriating passive-aggressive, sarcastic people. "Wow, you're clearly familiar with basic geometry." "Thanks!" "It wasn't a compliment." "Sure sounded like one. Thanks!"

    – Nic Hartley
    Dec 7 '18 at 0:54






  • 4





    I wonder whether your referee wanted to offer a Plan B, but that's wild speculation! As answered below: Don't overthink this.

    – user2768
    Dec 7 '18 at 10:35








  • 2





    Maybe this referee is actually looking for someone themselves and were interested to know if you might be interested if your other PhD application falls through. Who knows?

    – J...
    Dec 7 '18 at 12:55








  • 1





    Just to be clear, you're not applying to a single place for a PhD, are you? I suppose that's unlikely, but just checking.

    – Faheem Mitha
    Dec 9 '18 at 9:08














  • 74





    When in doubt, someone probably meant what they said and no more.

    – Thomas
    Dec 6 '18 at 21:59






  • 30





    @Thomas That's also great advice for infuriating passive-aggressive, sarcastic people. "Wow, you're clearly familiar with basic geometry." "Thanks!" "It wasn't a compliment." "Sure sounded like one. Thanks!"

    – Nic Hartley
    Dec 7 '18 at 0:54






  • 4





    I wonder whether your referee wanted to offer a Plan B, but that's wild speculation! As answered below: Don't overthink this.

    – user2768
    Dec 7 '18 at 10:35








  • 2





    Maybe this referee is actually looking for someone themselves and were interested to know if you might be interested if your other PhD application falls through. Who knows?

    – J...
    Dec 7 '18 at 12:55








  • 1





    Just to be clear, you're not applying to a single place for a PhD, are you? I suppose that's unlikely, but just checking.

    – Faheem Mitha
    Dec 9 '18 at 9:08








74




74





When in doubt, someone probably meant what they said and no more.

– Thomas
Dec 6 '18 at 21:59





When in doubt, someone probably meant what they said and no more.

– Thomas
Dec 6 '18 at 21:59




30




30





@Thomas That's also great advice for infuriating passive-aggressive, sarcastic people. "Wow, you're clearly familiar with basic geometry." "Thanks!" "It wasn't a compliment." "Sure sounded like one. Thanks!"

– Nic Hartley
Dec 7 '18 at 0:54





@Thomas That's also great advice for infuriating passive-aggressive, sarcastic people. "Wow, you're clearly familiar with basic geometry." "Thanks!" "It wasn't a compliment." "Sure sounded like one. Thanks!"

– Nic Hartley
Dec 7 '18 at 0:54




4




4





I wonder whether your referee wanted to offer a Plan B, but that's wild speculation! As answered below: Don't overthink this.

– user2768
Dec 7 '18 at 10:35







I wonder whether your referee wanted to offer a Plan B, but that's wild speculation! As answered below: Don't overthink this.

– user2768
Dec 7 '18 at 10:35






2




2





Maybe this referee is actually looking for someone themselves and were interested to know if you might be interested if your other PhD application falls through. Who knows?

– J...
Dec 7 '18 at 12:55







Maybe this referee is actually looking for someone themselves and were interested to know if you might be interested if your other PhD application falls through. Who knows?

– J...
Dec 7 '18 at 12:55






1




1





Just to be clear, you're not applying to a single place for a PhD, are you? I suppose that's unlikely, but just checking.

– Faheem Mitha
Dec 9 '18 at 9:08





Just to be clear, you're not applying to a single place for a PhD, are you? I suppose that's unlikely, but just checking.

– Faheem Mitha
Dec 9 '18 at 9:08










6 Answers
6






active

oldest

votes


















87














Don't overthink this. It sounds like he's just showing a friendly interest in your plans. No matter how "good" you are, graduate admissions always has some degree of uncertainty, and so everybody should consider what they will do if they don't get admitted. He just wants to know what that would be for you.



If he really didn't think you were good enough, he wouldn't have agreed to be a reference for you.






share|improve this answer































    12














    Probably not. I had a really similar conversation recently with one of my referees for an MA that I'm applying for in the fall. He elaborated by saying that he wants to see me succeed, and wondered if I would continue to try and bolster my skills for reapplication in the event that I did not make it in. The road to success in academia is paved with failure, and I'm sure your referee is genuinely looking out for your best interest and not implying anything negative.






    share|improve this answer































      9














      It's unlikely this is any reflection on your ability, but more on the lottery of postgraduate admissions.



      Personally, when I'd decided on my research interests, there were literally three people in the entire country who would have made suitable supervisors. The year I applied none of them had grants available to fund a PhD student. I decided to go into a different field instead, rather than waiting, which was a colossal mistake but that's a whole different story.



      I only mention my personal circumstances to illustrate one of the many reasons that you can fail to get a PhD place which have nothing to do with your learning or skill.






      share|improve this answer































        5














        In science we often have to consider "Plan B". In fact, when you apply for a grant and aim to achieve several connected things, you often required to discuss what would happen if one of them won't work out.



        There is no reason to assume that your referee is questioning your ability. I think they want to know one of these things:




        • what other school you are applying

        • have you thought about alternatives (non-academic career)

        • do you want to get PhD to stay in academia or move to industry after getting degree (both are legit goals)






        share|improve this answer





















        • 1





          The question was not really about science but rather about OP's career, IMHO.

          – einpoklum
          Dec 8 '18 at 10:06











        • @einpoklum i was trying to point where PI might be coming from

          – aaaaaa
          Dec 8 '18 at 17:07



















        3














        The PhD program I graduated from typically had about twice as many strong candidates who they would love to have in the program as they had spots available.



        Some of those people would end up choosing to go elsewhere anyways so that's no problem, but ultimately some of those people have to be denied just because of space and not because any of them were not good enough; the decisions on the most borderline of those cases might be simply tossups.



        In summary, I think it's most likely this was just a polite question and didn't mean anything beyond that, but it most definitely doesn't mean that you are unqualified or not good enough.






        share|improve this answer































          0














          If you do not have a Plan B, that would indicate that you are 100% committed and fully invested into your doctoral studies should you be granted admission.



          Personally, I would hope and very much love it if a person seeking admission with hopes of becoming my advisee answered the question with a negative on a plan b.






          share|improve this answer























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            6 Answers
            6






            active

            oldest

            votes








            6 Answers
            6






            active

            oldest

            votes









            active

            oldest

            votes






            active

            oldest

            votes









            87














            Don't overthink this. It sounds like he's just showing a friendly interest in your plans. No matter how "good" you are, graduate admissions always has some degree of uncertainty, and so everybody should consider what they will do if they don't get admitted. He just wants to know what that would be for you.



            If he really didn't think you were good enough, he wouldn't have agreed to be a reference for you.






            share|improve this answer




























              87














              Don't overthink this. It sounds like he's just showing a friendly interest in your plans. No matter how "good" you are, graduate admissions always has some degree of uncertainty, and so everybody should consider what they will do if they don't get admitted. He just wants to know what that would be for you.



              If he really didn't think you were good enough, he wouldn't have agreed to be a reference for you.






              share|improve this answer


























                87












                87








                87







                Don't overthink this. It sounds like he's just showing a friendly interest in your plans. No matter how "good" you are, graduate admissions always has some degree of uncertainty, and so everybody should consider what they will do if they don't get admitted. He just wants to know what that would be for you.



                If he really didn't think you were good enough, he wouldn't have agreed to be a reference for you.






                share|improve this answer













                Don't overthink this. It sounds like he's just showing a friendly interest in your plans. No matter how "good" you are, graduate admissions always has some degree of uncertainty, and so everybody should consider what they will do if they don't get admitted. He just wants to know what that would be for you.



                If he really didn't think you were good enough, he wouldn't have agreed to be a reference for you.







                share|improve this answer












                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer










                answered Dec 6 '18 at 21:44









                Nate EldredgeNate Eldredge

                105k32301401




                105k32301401























                    12














                    Probably not. I had a really similar conversation recently with one of my referees for an MA that I'm applying for in the fall. He elaborated by saying that he wants to see me succeed, and wondered if I would continue to try and bolster my skills for reapplication in the event that I did not make it in. The road to success in academia is paved with failure, and I'm sure your referee is genuinely looking out for your best interest and not implying anything negative.






                    share|improve this answer




























                      12














                      Probably not. I had a really similar conversation recently with one of my referees for an MA that I'm applying for in the fall. He elaborated by saying that he wants to see me succeed, and wondered if I would continue to try and bolster my skills for reapplication in the event that I did not make it in. The road to success in academia is paved with failure, and I'm sure your referee is genuinely looking out for your best interest and not implying anything negative.






                      share|improve this answer


























                        12












                        12








                        12







                        Probably not. I had a really similar conversation recently with one of my referees for an MA that I'm applying for in the fall. He elaborated by saying that he wants to see me succeed, and wondered if I would continue to try and bolster my skills for reapplication in the event that I did not make it in. The road to success in academia is paved with failure, and I'm sure your referee is genuinely looking out for your best interest and not implying anything negative.






                        share|improve this answer













                        Probably not. I had a really similar conversation recently with one of my referees for an MA that I'm applying for in the fall. He elaborated by saying that he wants to see me succeed, and wondered if I would continue to try and bolster my skills for reapplication in the event that I did not make it in. The road to success in academia is paved with failure, and I'm sure your referee is genuinely looking out for your best interest and not implying anything negative.







                        share|improve this answer












                        share|improve this answer



                        share|improve this answer










                        answered Dec 6 '18 at 22:32









                        KM-KM-

                        1906




                        1906























                            9














                            It's unlikely this is any reflection on your ability, but more on the lottery of postgraduate admissions.



                            Personally, when I'd decided on my research interests, there were literally three people in the entire country who would have made suitable supervisors. The year I applied none of them had grants available to fund a PhD student. I decided to go into a different field instead, rather than waiting, which was a colossal mistake but that's a whole different story.



                            I only mention my personal circumstances to illustrate one of the many reasons that you can fail to get a PhD place which have nothing to do with your learning or skill.






                            share|improve this answer




























                              9














                              It's unlikely this is any reflection on your ability, but more on the lottery of postgraduate admissions.



                              Personally, when I'd decided on my research interests, there were literally three people in the entire country who would have made suitable supervisors. The year I applied none of them had grants available to fund a PhD student. I decided to go into a different field instead, rather than waiting, which was a colossal mistake but that's a whole different story.



                              I only mention my personal circumstances to illustrate one of the many reasons that you can fail to get a PhD place which have nothing to do with your learning or skill.






                              share|improve this answer


























                                9












                                9








                                9







                                It's unlikely this is any reflection on your ability, but more on the lottery of postgraduate admissions.



                                Personally, when I'd decided on my research interests, there were literally three people in the entire country who would have made suitable supervisors. The year I applied none of them had grants available to fund a PhD student. I decided to go into a different field instead, rather than waiting, which was a colossal mistake but that's a whole different story.



                                I only mention my personal circumstances to illustrate one of the many reasons that you can fail to get a PhD place which have nothing to do with your learning or skill.






                                share|improve this answer













                                It's unlikely this is any reflection on your ability, but more on the lottery of postgraduate admissions.



                                Personally, when I'd decided on my research interests, there were literally three people in the entire country who would have made suitable supervisors. The year I applied none of them had grants available to fund a PhD student. I decided to go into a different field instead, rather than waiting, which was a colossal mistake but that's a whole different story.



                                I only mention my personal circumstances to illustrate one of the many reasons that you can fail to get a PhD place which have nothing to do with your learning or skill.







                                share|improve this answer












                                share|improve this answer



                                share|improve this answer










                                answered Dec 7 '18 at 10:08









                                Matt ThrowerMatt Thrower

                                65639




                                65639























                                    5














                                    In science we often have to consider "Plan B". In fact, when you apply for a grant and aim to achieve several connected things, you often required to discuss what would happen if one of them won't work out.



                                    There is no reason to assume that your referee is questioning your ability. I think they want to know one of these things:




                                    • what other school you are applying

                                    • have you thought about alternatives (non-academic career)

                                    • do you want to get PhD to stay in academia or move to industry after getting degree (both are legit goals)






                                    share|improve this answer





















                                    • 1





                                      The question was not really about science but rather about OP's career, IMHO.

                                      – einpoklum
                                      Dec 8 '18 at 10:06











                                    • @einpoklum i was trying to point where PI might be coming from

                                      – aaaaaa
                                      Dec 8 '18 at 17:07
















                                    5














                                    In science we often have to consider "Plan B". In fact, when you apply for a grant and aim to achieve several connected things, you often required to discuss what would happen if one of them won't work out.



                                    There is no reason to assume that your referee is questioning your ability. I think they want to know one of these things:




                                    • what other school you are applying

                                    • have you thought about alternatives (non-academic career)

                                    • do you want to get PhD to stay in academia or move to industry after getting degree (both are legit goals)






                                    share|improve this answer





















                                    • 1





                                      The question was not really about science but rather about OP's career, IMHO.

                                      – einpoklum
                                      Dec 8 '18 at 10:06











                                    • @einpoklum i was trying to point where PI might be coming from

                                      – aaaaaa
                                      Dec 8 '18 at 17:07














                                    5












                                    5








                                    5







                                    In science we often have to consider "Plan B". In fact, when you apply for a grant and aim to achieve several connected things, you often required to discuss what would happen if one of them won't work out.



                                    There is no reason to assume that your referee is questioning your ability. I think they want to know one of these things:




                                    • what other school you are applying

                                    • have you thought about alternatives (non-academic career)

                                    • do you want to get PhD to stay in academia or move to industry after getting degree (both are legit goals)






                                    share|improve this answer















                                    In science we often have to consider "Plan B". In fact, when you apply for a grant and aim to achieve several connected things, you often required to discuss what would happen if one of them won't work out.



                                    There is no reason to assume that your referee is questioning your ability. I think they want to know one of these things:




                                    • what other school you are applying

                                    • have you thought about alternatives (non-academic career)

                                    • do you want to get PhD to stay in academia or move to industry after getting degree (both are legit goals)







                                    share|improve this answer














                                    share|improve this answer



                                    share|improve this answer








                                    edited Dec 8 '18 at 19:15

























                                    answered Dec 7 '18 at 17:21









                                    aaaaaaaaaaaa

                                    960413




                                    960413








                                    • 1





                                      The question was not really about science but rather about OP's career, IMHO.

                                      – einpoklum
                                      Dec 8 '18 at 10:06











                                    • @einpoklum i was trying to point where PI might be coming from

                                      – aaaaaa
                                      Dec 8 '18 at 17:07














                                    • 1





                                      The question was not really about science but rather about OP's career, IMHO.

                                      – einpoklum
                                      Dec 8 '18 at 10:06











                                    • @einpoklum i was trying to point where PI might be coming from

                                      – aaaaaa
                                      Dec 8 '18 at 17:07








                                    1




                                    1





                                    The question was not really about science but rather about OP's career, IMHO.

                                    – einpoklum
                                    Dec 8 '18 at 10:06





                                    The question was not really about science but rather about OP's career, IMHO.

                                    – einpoklum
                                    Dec 8 '18 at 10:06













                                    @einpoklum i was trying to point where PI might be coming from

                                    – aaaaaa
                                    Dec 8 '18 at 17:07





                                    @einpoklum i was trying to point where PI might be coming from

                                    – aaaaaa
                                    Dec 8 '18 at 17:07











                                    3














                                    The PhD program I graduated from typically had about twice as many strong candidates who they would love to have in the program as they had spots available.



                                    Some of those people would end up choosing to go elsewhere anyways so that's no problem, but ultimately some of those people have to be denied just because of space and not because any of them were not good enough; the decisions on the most borderline of those cases might be simply tossups.



                                    In summary, I think it's most likely this was just a polite question and didn't mean anything beyond that, but it most definitely doesn't mean that you are unqualified or not good enough.






                                    share|improve this answer




























                                      3














                                      The PhD program I graduated from typically had about twice as many strong candidates who they would love to have in the program as they had spots available.



                                      Some of those people would end up choosing to go elsewhere anyways so that's no problem, but ultimately some of those people have to be denied just because of space and not because any of them were not good enough; the decisions on the most borderline of those cases might be simply tossups.



                                      In summary, I think it's most likely this was just a polite question and didn't mean anything beyond that, but it most definitely doesn't mean that you are unqualified or not good enough.






                                      share|improve this answer


























                                        3












                                        3








                                        3







                                        The PhD program I graduated from typically had about twice as many strong candidates who they would love to have in the program as they had spots available.



                                        Some of those people would end up choosing to go elsewhere anyways so that's no problem, but ultimately some of those people have to be denied just because of space and not because any of them were not good enough; the decisions on the most borderline of those cases might be simply tossups.



                                        In summary, I think it's most likely this was just a polite question and didn't mean anything beyond that, but it most definitely doesn't mean that you are unqualified or not good enough.






                                        share|improve this answer













                                        The PhD program I graduated from typically had about twice as many strong candidates who they would love to have in the program as they had spots available.



                                        Some of those people would end up choosing to go elsewhere anyways so that's no problem, but ultimately some of those people have to be denied just because of space and not because any of them were not good enough; the decisions on the most borderline of those cases might be simply tossups.



                                        In summary, I think it's most likely this was just a polite question and didn't mean anything beyond that, but it most definitely doesn't mean that you are unqualified or not good enough.







                                        share|improve this answer












                                        share|improve this answer



                                        share|improve this answer










                                        answered Dec 7 '18 at 19:18









                                        Bryan KrauseBryan Krause

                                        12.2k13759




                                        12.2k13759























                                            0














                                            If you do not have a Plan B, that would indicate that you are 100% committed and fully invested into your doctoral studies should you be granted admission.



                                            Personally, I would hope and very much love it if a person seeking admission with hopes of becoming my advisee answered the question with a negative on a plan b.






                                            share|improve this answer




























                                              0














                                              If you do not have a Plan B, that would indicate that you are 100% committed and fully invested into your doctoral studies should you be granted admission.



                                              Personally, I would hope and very much love it if a person seeking admission with hopes of becoming my advisee answered the question with a negative on a plan b.






                                              share|improve this answer


























                                                0












                                                0








                                                0







                                                If you do not have a Plan B, that would indicate that you are 100% committed and fully invested into your doctoral studies should you be granted admission.



                                                Personally, I would hope and very much love it if a person seeking admission with hopes of becoming my advisee answered the question with a negative on a plan b.






                                                share|improve this answer













                                                If you do not have a Plan B, that would indicate that you are 100% committed and fully invested into your doctoral studies should you be granted admission.



                                                Personally, I would hope and very much love it if a person seeking admission with hopes of becoming my advisee answered the question with a negative on a plan b.







                                                share|improve this answer












                                                share|improve this answer



                                                share|improve this answer










                                                answered Dec 11 '18 at 4:38









                                                SteveKSteveK

                                                1613




                                                1613






























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