Should I contact POI?

[phyanth]

So, I called my school this morning regarding application status, and the grad secretary told me they haven't made any decisions yet. She encouraged me to reach out directly to my POIs and reiterate my interest in the program. Should I do that? Also, what do I even say? I don't want to come off as pestering, but this program is one of my top choices....

[Psych.dsd]

I wouldn't do that. They know you are interested in the program - if you weren't, you wouldn't have invested time and money in your application. Contacting your POI will only show impacience. It is hard to wait, especially when the program is one of your top choices, but I see no benefits in contacting your POI.

[DiscoTech]

23 hours ago, phyanth said:

So, I called my school this morning regarding application status, and the grad secretary told me they haven't made any decisions yet. She encouraged me to reach out directly to my POIs and reiterate my interest in the program. Should I do that? Also, what do I even say? I don't want to come off as pestering, but this program is one of my top choices....

You can either trust the person from the actual program or someone on an anonymous forum who based their opinion on how they think prospective advisors will react to an inquiry from you.

Every program is different. Listen to what their people are telling you. 2 of the programs I applied to last year recommended that I contact POIs even before being admitted (admissions and financial aid decisions were one and the same at these places). One program told me to reach out only after an admission decision had been made. The final program (smallest program of the bunch) asked me not to reach out at all. I probably emailed 8 POIs at the first two schools I mentioned. 7 got back to me. 7 set up meetings (or Skype chats) with me. 6 offered me funding. 

Trust the school to know what is considered appropriate by their faculty and staff.

Edited February 10, 2018 by DiscoTech

[Fiain]

I contacted professors at my schools and usually got a good response - it showed I cared and wanted to work with that prof. Also, not all professors watch admissions closely, so it draws that profs attention to your app.

 

Attach your CV, say a little about yourself - mention youve read a bit about their research (make sure you have!) and how interested you are in potentially working for them. Thats what I did. I'd trust what the school said.

[eeIntern1]

Ramsey, I think you should contact the professor you are most interested in studying under and inform them of your admission. If they do not respond (after providing ample time to receive a response), then I think it is valid to email another professor who you were interested in studying with at that university. (This plan is good if you are looking for an RA position).

If you have already secured funding, and you are planning to attend the university to wait until the semester begins and then look to introduce yourself in person. It is normal to enter a professor's lab after the first year which is mostly for studying.

I hope this is of some assistance to you.

[LolJustAdmitMe]

If the actual admin suggested it, it’s fine and completely normal for this particular program. I did the same after being waitlisted and nothing bad happened. My POI simply thanked me. And guess what? I’m still waitlisted. Lol It won’t hurt you but it’ll simply restate that you would definitely take the spot if offered and that you haven’t gone and fell in love with another Program. Simply state that you’re still interested, why you’re interested and that you hope to hear good news soon. Also, keep it brief, possibly less than paragraph. You want them to think you’re interested, not crazy.

[Ramsey]

Hi. I recently got into the PhD program in a top university in US. Before application period, I mailed 3 professors and none of them got back to me. Now I am admitted to the program and I do not know which of the professors should I contact again. Does anyone have any ideas? I think one of them might have been interested in my application that they have admitted me, and if I mail the wrong person, there will be a total mess.