I am currently a graduate student. I've completed all the exams and I am currently looking for a supervisor for my master's dissertation. Few months ago I surveyed the professor I would like to have as my supervisor. However, he told me that probably he would have not been able to be my supervisor if I decided to graduate in July 2020 (as I intend to do), because he will probably be out of the country on the anticipated graduation date. He said that it is a moral duty for a supervisor to be there on the graduation date. Now, I really enjoyed his lectures, I consider him the best professor I have ever had and I think he is really skilled on the topic I am planning to discuss. Accordingly I would be willing to accept the risk that he will not be able to be there on the graduation date. How could I ask him to be my supervisor?
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2You ask not persuade and nicely– Solar MikeCommented Feb 13, 2020 at 14:33
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you are right, but I used that word, as he does not seem willing to accept.– AlchemyCommented Feb 13, 2020 at 14:44
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2If he is not willing to accept, that's the way it is. The fact that he highlights a moral duty is a good sign as concerns his character. If you are happy for him to be absent at graduation or using remote supervision, you could have said that from your point. However, you already asked and already got a response. If you ask again, you risk him getting annoyed. He might be wary of taking on a student that is not prepared to take a no for an answer. Are you prepared to move your graduation? If you propose this, he might be swayed, as he sees how important it is for you. But he still may not be.– Captain EmacsCommented Feb 13, 2020 at 14:54
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1It seems an odd preference on his part (from a US perspective). Is this a cultural thing where you are?– BuffyCommented Feb 13, 2020 at 15:05
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1It seems an odd preference on his part (from a US perspective). --- Indeed, even I was not present at my Bachelor's graduation or my Masters graduation or my Doctoral graduation.– Dave L RenfroCommented Feb 13, 2020 at 15:27
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1 Answer
To make the answer formal, yes, you should ask him. This is best done in person, and one of the best approaches is just what you say here about his skill and your common interest in a topic. Let him know that you think he is the best person around to do this, and you won't have a problem, yourself, if he can't be at the graduation.
What you need is his signature, I assume, and not his physical presence to approve your completion.
He might say no, but if you don't ask, the answer is certainly no.
Good luck.
