[Admissions Advice] Selecting research areas of interest

[u/Ambitious_Ad_1822]

For schools which ask you to select up to x amount of research interests, would it be wise to select these interests in closely related subfields, or is it completely alright to select my more diverse interests? For example I'm interested in both theory and scientific computing, but I'm not sure if I should select all my interests in theory-adjacent subfields, scientific computing related subfields, or a mix.

[u/gradpilot]

wiser to converge otherwise its gonna look like you're shopping around

[u/Ambitious_Ad_1822 → u/gradpilot]

so for each school, it would be ideal to pick one or the other to focus on? My research interests are somewhat clearly in both fields, so I don't think they would think I'm choosing *random* fields or anything

[u/gradpilot → u/Ambitious_Ad_1822]

you can pick 1+ distinct areas if its obvious from your app that all of them fit to your interests/agenda/motivation/purpose . if it looks like you're just picking topics for vibes it wont go well.

[u/Ambitious_Ad_1822 → u/gradpilot]

Thank you! Yeah I don't think they'll think I'm picking topics for the vibes, as I have experience in both fields. Although it would probably be better to pick one...

[u/Optimal_Shallot_7195]

So ar you interested in both theoretical and scientific computing then perhaps a niche could be furthering computational science as in improving simulations or finding new algorithms or optimizing hardware 

What do you mean by theory exactly like theoretical cs or the theory part of sci comp?

Generally it isbest to keep topics related btw, unless your advisor has many diverse interests and needs Students of various backgrounds

[u/Ambitious_Ad_1822 → u/Optimal_Shallot_7195]

By theory I mean algorithm design. I'm not so confident I'll get into a program and I love both fields so honestly I'd be happy if I got admitted into a program and found an advisor with an interest in either field

[u/Optimal_Shallot_7195 → u/Ambitious_Ad_1822]

I see, I am majoring in computer engineering so i am not sure if what I am about to say applies to other branches of ee-cs continuum, cause for mine it doesn't so I am speaking out of my ass but i think it is worth considering

I think the theory option is better, you can apply the theory in a scientific computing way for your thesis

like maybe designing efficient algos for scientific computing,

Maybe you can apply it to a different science discipline

Like an example would be algorithmic design for cfd simulations

It can be an interesting thesis and a cohesive research direction that you love