I am in the process of being admitted to a university in Michigan for a PhD. I have had an interview and multiple conversations with the professor interested in admitting me into her lab about funding and finally have narrowed down where we are at.
She had only stated she will “try” to support me outside of a T32 grant (basically RA job) I am applying for but nothing has been confirmed in writing. I also haven’t heard promising things about availability for TA jobs for my first year (Fall 26). She also has told me based on my admitted choice of program being in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, there is not any direct department funding. This is a smaller school.
The lab is based around physiology and biology more than biochemistry and therefore she wants me to reapply as a PhD in Biology in hopes of securing more funding. Is this ever an acceptable ask? I want to stay in the program I chose, but also as someone who is leaning towards pharmaceuticals as a career, I’m not sure how much this would change my career path. I know this is pretty much a straightforward “well what do YOU want to do” situation but I could use any insight right now.