Reaching out to Professors and Others in BioStats/Statistics Programs

[player-tracking-data]

I'll be applying to MS/ PhD programs in (Bio)Statistics programs this Fall and I've identified a few mid to low ranked schools that I'm unfamiliar with but have professors whose research fit mine.

How should I contact these professors? Should I show interest in working with them and see what that leads to? I'm genuinely interested in the research these people do but want to learn more about my chances of being admitted, campus lifestyle, class requirements, stipends, etc. I also feel like this would make my application stand out.

[discreature]

Not the most inventive advice but I've definitely had more responsiveness when a prof that I know introduces me to them. Over email this is as easy as them just sending them an email with a brief intro and CCing you. So maybe you know someone form your uni that knows at least some of them? Best of luck

[StatsG0d]

One strategy is to contact the grad coordinators at each program and email them about your research interests and see if they can put you in touch with anyone.

[Cavalerius]

Before applying to programs, I reached out to professors at all the schools I was considering. In selecting to which programs to apply, I read the recent papers of professors whose research interests were compatible with mine, and then, I reached out to the professors a few months before the application deadlines. All the professors replied. Some went so far as to schedule meetings with me beforehand to discuss their programs and research; others provided brief but cordial responses. During my campus visits, after being accepted to the programs, I was glad to have had established some familiarity with the professors and felt that our conversations were enriched as a result. I also learned some key details from the initial email exchanges; for instance, in one case, I learned that the professor with whom I was most interested in working would be leaving the department at the end of the year. While it is probably inadvisable to attend a school with the sole intention of working with one specific person, this information was nonetheless helpful.

Edited June 22, 2020 by Cavalerius