Prof reached out but he's not who I applied to work with - what to do?
okay I need some perspective here because I'm honestly confused about what's happening
I applied to this aerospace PhD program. In my statement I was pretty clear I wanted to work with Professor A doing experimental work (wind tunnels, diagnostics, building test setups). I mentioned Professor B briefly saying his computational simulations could complement the experimental side.
Professor B just emailed me wanting to meet about "PhD opportunities in his group." Professor B does 100% computational - like coding, running CFD simulations, numerical methods. No experiments.
here's the thing - I prefer experimental work. I like being in the lab, building things, seeing physical results. Computational isn't my first choice. But I'm also trying to think with my head here not my heart. This is life, right? Sometimes the opportunity that comes isn't exactly what you wanted.
what I'm trying to figure out:
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does this mean Professor A (the experimental guy I actually applied for) isn't taking students? like did admissions just pass my app to whoever has funding?
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how do I handle the meeting? do I mention I was hoping for experimental work or is that just awkward since HE reached out to ME?
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is there any chance this could turn into working with both? experiments with Prof A and some computational with Prof B?
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if this ends up being my only funded offer... I mean I can't just turn down a good program with funding, right? even if it's not exactly what I wanted? I'm international so I don't have unlimited options here
has anyone been in this situation where the prof who contacts you isn't the one you applied to work with? what did it mean? what did you do?
I need to respond and schedule this meeting and I honestly don't know the right move here
Posted Jan 31, 2026, 1:25 PM UTC