Would it hurt if I contacted the POI?

[doodlejump]

Hey guys, I have a very weird question.

Before the application deadline, I have already contacted some POIs at different universities and got some of their responses (ofc, not all of them replied).

However, I could not reach all of them that I listed in the SOP.

I know they are now reviewing our applications, just wondering would it hurt if I contacted the POI that I have not successfully reached?

Is it a bad idea tho?

Edited January 25, 2019 by doodlejump

[nęm0]

Nope, you can always try if he/she doesn't reply then that's that.

[Dwar]

From the stuff that I've read online, and from talking to various faculty members at my own university, I've essentially learned that it doesn't matter if you contact faculty members prior to admissions or submitting your application. 

While obviously fit is important and you should know or list a few faculty members that you want to work with on you SOP, actually contacting them does not make a difference. I've been told by multiple people that unless the faculty member is specifically on the admissions committee (and even then it probably won't do anything) they won't be able to help with your admissions and in many cases may not even talk to you until you are admitted. 

Hope that helps!

Edited January 25, 2019 by Dwar

[doodlejump]

11 hours ago, Dwar said:

From the stuff that I've read online, and from talking to various faculty members at my own university, I've essentially learned that it doesn't matter if you contact faculty members prior to admissions or submitting your application. 

While obviously fit is important and you should know or list a few faculty members that you want to work with on you SOP, actually contacting them does not make a difference. I've been told by multiple people that unless the faculty member is specifically on the admissions committee (and even then it probably won't do anything) they won't be able to help with your admissions and in many cases may not even talk to you until you are admitted. 

Hope that helps!

Thank you so much for your detailed suggestions!

Would it bother if I sent the email on weekends? Or I just worry that too much.

[eggsalad14]

I have some kind of harsh sounding question clusters for you.

1. If they ignored you the first time, why do you think they won't ignore you again? If they intentionally ignored you the first time, do you the first time, is emailing them really going to do you any favors? 

2. Why are you really trying to get in contact with them, especially at this point? Are you hoping they'll do you a favor and advocate for your admission? 

3. Why do you need to reach the POIs? What are you saying to them beyond "hi my name is xxx and I'm applying for your program"? 

[Dwar]

2 hours ago, doodlejump said:

Would it bother if I sent the email on weekends? Or I just worry that too much

If you're going to email them I don't think it'll matter if you send it on the weekend. In my experience with professors they will respond when they respond regardless of when you email them. 

For example I have a professor who only ever responds at 2 AM. I guess it just matters when they check their email and choose to sit down and send a response.