I was just about to start a thread on the subject myself... Since receiving an acceptance to My Dream School (for political theory, if it's relevant), I've received very warm and personalized emails from four different faculty members I mentioned in my SOP. I was so overwhelmed and caught of guard by the first one that I (shamefully) spent an entire week trying to formulate an appropriate response. It seems well nigh impossible to avoid a number of pitfalls, including:
- reading like fanmail
- disclosing my total shock at having gotten in (and hence casting doubt on my readiness and/or worthiness)
- asking questions that would be readily obviated by reading the program brochure or a simple google search
- lending the impression that I assume I'll be working with them soon... or generally, that I'm naive/irresponsible enough to accept the offer immediately before having visited or weighed options
- (... or on the opposite end of the spectrum) lending the impression that I'm playing coy or hard-to-get
- launching into lengthy detail re: my experience, research interests, plans for future projects (none of which, I'm pretty sure, is of even remote interest to busy-- let alone legitimately published-- scholars)
- setting up a premature dead-end to our pre-matriculation correspondence
And the list goes on. So far, my general approach has been something to the effect of:
"Thank you! I'm thrilled about my acceptance... Been interested in Uof_____'s program for several years... Excited to visit in March... Looking forward to meeting you... Can we set up an appointment to meet while I'm there? .... Do you know yet what classes you'll be teaching next year?"
My hope is that mention of their classes will provide a reasonable enough segue into some (very brief) discussion of my interests/background and interest in working with them... Which brings me to another question-- how to vary my responses according to my level of interest in working with each of them (i.e., ideal advisor vs. someone I'd love to take lots of classes from)? I've also been debating whether or not to ask them to provide the names/emails of advisees in my area of interest who I might get in touch with.
Basically, I just want to respond graciously and adequately, but without going overboard. Honestly, the most helpful advice I've received thus far has been to chill out-- I'm not still vying for admission, after all, and I will be meeting all (or most) of them in a few short weeks. My understanding is that these emails are more or less standard procedure, plus varying degrees of individuation and maybe enthusiasm... Though I really don't know, as I've never been in a remotely similar position before. I'd greatly appreciate any and all suggestions/advice!