My program admits all MS students as non-thesis with the option to move to the thesis track once they find a thesis adviser. From what I understand, students moving to the thesis track typically find their adviser within the first semester. I hope to continue on to a PhD after my MS, so doing a thesis is important to me. I have already read some of the papers of the professors that I am most interested in working with (I've identified a few potential advisers). I guess I am asking about the best way to make contact. Should I:
1. Email them over the summer and ask if they are taking MS students as advisees (i.e. try to secure an adviser before I get to campus)?
2. Email them over the summer and ask if they have a lab position open (that way we could get to know each other during the first semester)?
3. Wait until I get to campus and then speak to potential advisers in person?
4. Do some combination of the above?
5. Do something totally different?
I want to be proactive about getting into a project early, but I don't want to be that annoying student that bugs professors prematurely.
I am at ASU Fulton, if anyone is familiar with the MS programs there.
