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I'm a masters student looking to graduate next school year. I've picked a masters adviser already, who's doing some things in number theory but more on the analytic side (not quite my cup of tea, but close enough). I found out recently that there is someone doing algebraic geometry in my department (which is what I ultimately want to do when I pursue my PhD). Would it be in bad taste to switch advisers? Nothing with the original adviser is set in stone, just a verbal agreement and he gave me a paper to start reading.

Also, more importantly, is the closeness of a masters project to what you eventually want to be studying all that important in terms of applications to PhD programs? That is, if I do a project in something I'm not going to pursue further in PhD, would that look weird to PhD programs I'm applying to? The reason I ask is that the professor doing algebraic geometry at my school is not a very friendly guy. Thus I may not be able to get a good rec letter from him, let alone have an easy time working with him.

[Just for some perspective, a masters project at my school mainly consists of reading a paper by someone else, studying it thoroughly, and then presenting it.]

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    Related: academia.stackexchange.com/questions/72289/…
    – astronat supports the strike
    May 25, 2017 at 9:14
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    Don't judge a book by its cover. See if you can find some students or alumni who can tell you more about the gruff guy. Maybe his letters of recommendation are just fine. Also, why not start to get to know them both a bit more before you decide? In other words, test the relationship a bit. The nature of the relationship might end up being the deciding factor for you.
    – aparente001
    May 27, 2017 at 1:05

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If nothing is set in stone yet, it would be reasonably to explore the possibility of switching advisor.

However, I don't think it's necessary. You are not expected to be doing exactly the same thing for a masters as a doctorate. Or indeed, even anything massively close. Within the UK at least, many doctoral students will come through the MMath rather than a stand-alone masters, and in theory may not have done any sizeable project. My project was completely unrelated to my thesis topic.

Indeed, personally I would suggest not switching topic. The way you are describing things, the topics are close enough that having the additional breadth will actually help your doctorate. You should develop an understanding of material around your thesis topic, not just the exact question you study.

But also do start talking to the potential doctoral adviser, and start to get a feel for whether the two of you are happy to work closely together.

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  • I talked to the geometer today. I told him my situation and he understood. His advice was that the project specifically doesn't matter too much, but having said that it may look odd to present a specific research paper in analytic number theory and then write in my application that I'd like to study something else. If I do decide to work with him, he suggests just getting a good grounding in AG using Hartshorne and some other books, and then defending in the Spring (after I would apply to PhD programs in Fall) with something more specific.
    – Freddie
    May 25, 2017 at 18:02

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