Do you keep in touch with your student hosts?

[Mr. Wonton]

Just curious. Do you, or do you find it too awkward? I was lucky to be hosted by some great students during interviews last application cycle, and even though I decided not to attend their program (or any program for that matter... reapplying this year), I'd still like to stay in touch with them. This probably goes for professors at those programs, too.

Edited October 21, 2010 by Mr. Wonton

[eucalyptus]

Just curious. Do you, or do you find it too awkward? I was lucky to be hosted by some great students during interviews last application cycle, and even though I decided not to attend their program (or any program for that matter... reapplying this year), I'd still like to stay in touch with them. This probably goes for professors at those programs, too.

I didn't purposely keep in touch with any of them (or with any of the other interviewees I met), but I did run into a couple of them at a conference in the summer, and it was great to hang out with them outside of the interview! I am facebook friends with a couple of people that I met during interviews, but that doesn't really count.

[socialcomm]

I can't think of any reasons why you shouldn't. Expanding your network is typically a good thing.

[fuzzylogician]

I'm facebook-friends with several of my hosts, as well as other prospective students who I met at other universities that I ended up not attending. I see them occasionally at conferences. I've also had occasion to write professors I had met during these visits to ask about some paper or theory of theirs. Everyone is very nice and helpful, it's after all in everyone's best interest to network.

[Sarah S.]

I came up for an unofficial visit but my host is now one of my closest friends. However, this is because I chose to attend here and she's one of my advisor's other students.