Superstar Professor

[lyricon]

Recently I've been setting up campus visits and getting in touch with professors I've identified as potential advisors. At one of those schools, there are two people who work in my subfield. The one with whom I've been in touch is a fairly new addition to the faculty. The other professor is a serious superstar in my field (not just subfield).

Comments

[fullofpink]

I was introduced to a superstar last semester by my intern supervisor and I have to say that said superstar was really laid back, nice, and loved new ideas.

My intern supervisor knows other superstars and has less nice things to say about them. One of the biggest not-so-nice things is that they really aren't up for new ideas. They usually get stuck in their "one big idea" and promote that idea until everyone else either just agrees or disagrees - there really isn't room to discuss this. It's like there's one methodology, one type of philosophy and little room for discussion. It's kind of heartbreaking actually.

I'm not sure what you can do with this information. I do believe studying a bit of the literature regarding Superstar professor is a good idea but he really may not be on the admission committee. The best professor in my department is not on adcom (frankly, because if everyone followed his admission standards almost No one would get in). I would suggest writing to the professor you want as an adviser and subtlety reaffirm that it is he/she you want to study under - not so much the other professor. But, if you do think that meeting the Superstar is a good idea, make sure you are familiar with his work and understand his ideas but don't tease him into thinking you want to be his student. (That.is.Tough!)

Good luck? (I'm not really sure I even offered any advice).