I changed my mind about what I want to go to graduate school for, how do I save face?

I am a Senior majoring in Health Science. Science has always been the “safe choice” for me and I was raised to think that anything that wasn’t “serious science” was self-indulgent and useless. So, naturally when I emailed three of the most important professors in the Biology department at my school, I asked them for recommendations to go with my applications to Microbiology Ph.D. programs. Since they have gotten back to me expressing their willingness to write said recommendation letters, however, I have had a change of heart. I have realized that I do not see myself doing microbiology research for the rest of my life and that what I would rather do is work in public health in the field of epidemiology, tracing the origins of disease as opposed to trying to come up with ways to cures individuals.

Absolutely. There is nothing shameful in changing your mind, nor in choosing one discipline over another. On the contrary, if you pick something you don’t love, you’d risk burning out and dropping out, so go into your new field with confidence. Your profs will understand. Just explain that after doing some more research, you’ve recently become far more interested in epidemiology (perhaps adding a few reasons or specifics about your new interest) and have decided to pursue it instead. Point out the change in where your applications are going and verify whether they can still recommend you. But don’t waste time–tell them ASAP in case they’ve already started on your recommendations.

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