Contacting potential advisors again after applying?

[sixelanic]

Hi everyone! I have recently applied to a few programs for a PhD in Neuroscience (F20). I emailed a handful of advisors that I would be interested in working with if I were to be accepted, and for the most part, they emailed me back and we briefly discussed their research. One in particular, however, said that they would be interested in discussing their research in greater detail and scheduling a meeting once I hear back from X school. This school is my first choice and I was excited to hear back from this PI! 

This email correspondence was back in October before I submitted my application. The deadline for applications was December 1st and I have submitted my application well before then. Should I reach back out to this PI to mention that I have submitted my application? Or do I wait it out and reach back out to the PI once I hear back about a possible interview?

Thanks!!!

[brainsRus]

It seems like you may have missed the most appropriate window to reach back out to the PI but you still can! I was in contact with PI's before applications as well and I made sure to email those who initially responded within 24-48hrs of submitting my application. It is a great way to remind the PI of who you are/that you talked/that you want to work with them/to look out for your application.

[sixelanic]

I think you're right. Perhaps it is too late to email them now to remind them that we spoke and that I have since applied? I'm not quite sure what to do or to just leave it as is, since it's been 3 weeks since I submitted my application.  

[BrendonSW]

On 12/16/2019 at 1:27 PM, sixelanic said:

I think you're right. Perhaps it is too late to email them now to remind them that we spoke and that I have since applied? I'm not quite sure what to do or to just leave it as is, since it's been 3 weeks since I submitted my application.  

I think you should reach out to them. Sure, it might feel a little late, but life happens and people delay things like this for a reason. You can also acknowledge this in your email. Although it may feel late to you, sending an email like this reminds them of who you are, shows you're invested, and could also influence one of the PI's to put in a word with the admissions review committee for you. You never know, one of the PI's may even be on that committee. I think it's 100% worth reaching out. Here's somewhat of a template that I might use: 

"Dear ____,

I hope you're doing well and having a great week so far! I am emailing you to let you know that I submitted my application to the Neuroscience PhD program a few weeks ago. I have been meaning to send you an email to inform you, but life has gotten busy and I'm just now getting around to this. Based on our conversations (you can say "about ______"), I am super excited to potentially work with you. Our conversation really encouraged me to apply to the program, and I wanted to personally thank you for that. 

Best

(Name)" 

Good luck! 

[sixelanic]

11 minutes ago, BrendonSW said:

I think you should reach out to them. Sure, it might feel a little late, but life happens and people delay things like this for a reason. You can also acknowledge this in your email. Although it may feel late to you, sending an email like this reminds them of who you are, shows you're invested, and could also influence one of the PI's to put in a word with the admissions review committee for you. You never know, one of the PI's may even be on that committee. I think it's 100% worth reaching out. Here's somewhat of a template that I might use: 

"Dear ____,

I hope you're doing well and having a great week so far! I am emailing you to let you know that I submitted my application to the Neuroscience PhD program a few weeks ago. I have been meaning to send you an email to inform you, but life has gotten busy and I'm just now getting around to this. Based on our conversations (you can say "about ______"), I am super excited to potentially work with you. Our conversation really encouraged me to apply to the program, and I wanted to personally thank you for that. 

Best

(Name)" 

Good luck! 

This is wonderful! Thank you so much for your input! I'll reach out to them today.  

[Volodine1]

On 12/17/2019 at 2:08 PM, sixelanic said:

This is wonderful! Thank you so much for your input! I'll reach out to them today.  

curious what came of this, especially as I am considering doing something similar. I did email people i met with to confirm my app was submitted. some answered; many did not!

[GeorgiaTechPhd]

I feel that it never hurts to reach out if you are writing a brief note and not imposing yourself on anyone.
For e.g., in such situations (when I was in touch with the PoI before the application review), during the application review period, I would write a simple email like 'I was wondering if you got a chance to look at my application or not, and I would be happy to answer any questions that you may have about the same' 

Important thing to realize is that nobody is going to reject your application because you bugged them with this extra small email (again assuming you are being polite and brief).
Worst case, they may get mildly annoyed seeing it and therefore ignore it, but it's not going to make or break your situation. 

[Volodine1]

11 hours ago, GeorgiaTechPhd said:

I feel that it never hurts to reach out if you are writing a brief note and not imposing yourself on anyone.
For e.g., in such situations (when I was in touch with the PoI before the application review), during the application review period, I would write a simple email like 'I was wondering if you got a chance to look at my application or not, and I would be happy to answer any questions that you may have about the same' 

Important thing to realize is that nobody is going to reject your application because you bugged them with this extra small email (again assuming you are being polite and brief).
Worst case, they may get mildly annoyed seeing it and therefore ignore it, but it's not going to make or break your situation. 

thanks, GeorgiaTechPhd! Yeah that might not be a bad idea, especially sending notes to profs that I feel I had a good exchange with before submitting my app.