oswic

I emailed a potential advisor to introduce myself as a prospective PhD student, inquire as to whether she will be taking on new students next fall, and briefly explain my research interests. She replied favorably and asked if I was coming to visit, adding that if a visit wasn't feasible then we could speak by telephone or Skype. I replied right away and said I'd like to speak by phone or Skype since I live on the other side of the country. That was a month and a half ago and I haven't heard anything from her since. I want to email her and ask if she is still interested in speaking but I'm afraid I let it go too long. Writing this follow-up email seems more difficult than writing my initial inquiry. Any thoughts?

Resentment is a tricky thing. Do what you love if your girlfriend is to be your partner, she will love your passion.

Thanks for your responses. Unfortunately, I'm not applying to any universities near me. This year's national conference is in DC (I'm in LA) and at this point it will be more costly to go to that than to visit Penn, which is where I'd like to visit. I'll hang tight until Monday and see how I do on the GRE. I just want to feel that I did everything I possibly could when I submit my applications. I know the GRE is going to be my obvious weakness and I don't want to get thrown in the "no" pile because of a low score. This is why I'm putting so much weight on a visit.

Hello, I am applying to PhD programs and Fall 2012 applications deadlines are nearing. I'm wondering if I should fly out to visit two universities at the top of my list. I had always intended to go but these universities are on the other side of the country and I'm low on funds. I corresponded by email to potential advisers in September and they were interested in my proposed research topics and thanked me for contacting them but we haven't continued our conversations. I feel I am a strong candidate - I have an MA in History with honors, solid letter writers, language preparation, and a good statement of purpose. However, I am taking the GRE on Monday and I don't think it is going to go well. Also, I am less confident about my writing sample because it doesn't use primary sources (my Arabic is not that strong yet but the sample does show a good command of the historiography of the topic). Is it weird to email the profs again a few months after our initial contact and say, hey I want to come visit! I can't help but think that a face to face meeting will be helpful. Any advice you have will be appreciated. Thanks!