CSmeow

Thanks so much for the info!

Hi everyone. I'm considering applying to this program next year (specifically LSTD). I've read through this thread - congrats to everyone who got in! Do you have any suggestions for someone looking to apply? My current GRE scores are 163 Q, 159 V and 5 on writing. Maybe a tad low? But I'd be coming with a Masters under my belt already so that might help. Did you have really specific research ideas when applying? I have a general theme of what I'd want to research but don't know exactly what details of it I would research. Also, who contacted professors ahead of time? How did you do this? Did you get a chance to meet them in person? Thanks so much in advance for any info and tips. ?

Hi everyone. I'm considering applying to PhD programs (specifically in Education with a STEM focus) next year. I have a Masters in CS so already have GRE scores and I have professors that would be more than happy to write me letters of recommendation. I do not, however, have any published research. This would be the weakest point of my application. My grades and references are/would be excellent, and I have an idea of what I want to research. I do not, however, have an exact thesis in mind. I more or less have a "theme" and I was somewhat hoping that my exact research topic could develop after I started a PhD program. Is this realistic or do I need a more specific idea before I apply? Also, I would like to make contacts with professors in prospective schools to discuss my research interests and perhaps meet them face to face. Would most professors be willing to do this? How would I go about contacting them? Would a simple email be fine? I have points of contacts that can probably introduce me to some, but definitely not all of the professors I'd be interested in working with. tl;dr: 1) Do I need to know exactly, down to details, what is want to research in a PhD program when applying, or is a general theme okay? 2) What's the best way to reach out to and make contact with professors I'd be interested in working with? Thanks in advance.