One of the first things scientists should do is question whether there is enough information available to draw a useful conclusion. Actually, that’s one of the first things everyone should do, on every optional decision. When you gotta make a decision with less than optimal data, sure–make the decision. But when it doesn’t have to be done, don’t do it.

For those of you who like to jump to conclusions, I do have a few select shares in the Brooklyn Bridge I have been authorized to let go to individuals with sufficient monetary resources. Feel free to jump.

Surely this guy could not have expected to go straight from an M.Div to a physics PhD program without having previously obtained a physics BSc and MSc, or can we take the latter as read and I’m being obtuse for even mentioning it?

One last point, which I don’t think anyone has mentioned. Could the profs’ real reason for rejecting the applicant have been a concern that in switching from M.Div to physics, which might involve a rapid catch-up, the applicant would somehow “show up” the physics department and the other students by proving in catching up that the syllabus and/or standard time alloted for it was not as demanding as it might be?

I also agree with those who suggest that people who have changed fields tend to have given greater thought to why they finally choose physics. In my opinion, way too many undergrads rush headlong into physics grad school because that’s the standard thing to do. Very few of them know enough about other fields to make a truly informed choice. But perhaps those on top who disapprove of polymaths like to have ignorant proteges whom, as they become increasingly specialised in physics, are unlikely to be lured away by other temptations.

I was also told by at least two professors that taking time off would count against me. I think that’s something that probably varies from person to person. But the fact that there exist people on admissions committees who frown upon taking a year or two off is enough to induce trepidation about taking time off. I can understand why they would balk at candidates who stayed away from physics for longer periods, since it is likely that one’s skills would deteriorate in over longer periods, but one or two years seem perfectly reasonable to me.

The comparison is not between M.Divs and M.Scs. Most students applying ti US grad schools have only Bachelor’s. I’m assuming, since the student in question was on the bubble, that he had a Bachelor’s in physics, or equivalent physics experience. So, just because the student went on to get an M. Div where other applicants simply applied straight to physics grad school, he is discarded.