Appropriate to contact a graduate student of the university I will be applying to?

[Gerri]

Hi all,

I am having some trouble figuring out the curriculum for one the universities I am applying to. Would it be appropriate to contact a graduate student, in a similar field of study, to inquire about the curriculum? It's looks like this graduate student has now graduated (2008) but maybe she can offer some good insights???

I could email the graduate admissions director, but I don't want to sound naive for not being able to figure out the curriculum. Though then again, I don't want this graduate student to run back to the department and say a prospective student contacted her asking dumb questions and subsequently wasting her time.

Any advice is appreciated,

HG

[Sparky]

Actually, this sounds like a great question to ask the professor you're interested in working with. Especially if you end up having a phone conversation, it can be a little awkward when they're all, "So, do you have any questions?" and you say, "Uhhh..." Having something legitimate to ask is very nice. You could also say something in the initial e-mail like, "...and I have a few questions about your program. If you have time, perhaps we could talk on the phone?" or something like that.

[Eigen]

Two parts:

First, as Sparky said, this is a fine question to ask a prof you're interested in working with, or the graduate admissions director, in my opinion.

Second, I wouldn't shy away from using it as an opportunity to contact past graduate students either. I know I wouldn't have any problem answering questions (even ones that seem stupid) for prospective students. I was there at one point, and I don't mind helping others who are working through it. Just be polite, and give them a chance to say they don't have time, and you should be fine.

That said, grad curricula can be quite arcane. We had one instance this semester of several 3rd years, a second year, and our boss trying to figure out something about our curriculum, and no one could get it. Also realize that grad curricula are in general very, very flexible- it usually comes down to what your adviser wants you to do. They can add classes, and they can sometimes even wipe otherwise necessary classes they don't see a point in you taking.

[adaptations]

This seems like a more appropriate questions for the administrative coordinator for the department or a professor. Given that curriculum can change year to year, exceptions can often be made, and the department and your adviser will be the ones determining what courses you need to take, I would just ask them.

[rising_star]

Given how frequently the curriculum can change, asking someone that graduated a few years ago about it is not a good idea, imo. Instead, you should ask the Director of Graduate Studies. Or, and this is how I think about it, don't really pay attention to the curriculum other than to note what is absolutely required.