i dont know how i should go about doing this...

[MegMill]

So I emailed the professor that I desire to study under a few months ago. I got a response yesterday! In the email, the professor listed other professors in the department that have similar interests as my own. She mentioned that I should "include references to some of the other people in the department with whom you'd like to work. Good matches for your interests would also be . . . "

SO my question is this: Since I've already submitted the personal statement, I cannot include these other professors she named as "references." So, should I write these professors? And say what? Professor XYZ said that I should contact you? What do I say after that? I mean it seems kinda strange, as I sit down to actually write the emails, to correspond with someone AFTER the application has been submitted and in which, they were never mentioned.

HELP!!!

[MoJingly]

I would contact them. Why not? Give them a heads up that you have sent in an application and are looking forward to learning even more about their work. Networking is always good. In the process, you will probably end up learning even more about the school. Keep in mind, of course, that with the holidays responses may be delayed and even scarce.

[Strangefox]

So I emailed the professor that I desire to study under a few months ago. I got a response yesterday! In the email, the professor listed other professors in the department that have similar interests as my own. She mentioned that I should "include references to some of the other people in the department with whom you'd like to work. Good matches for your interests would also be . . . "

SO my question is this: Since I've already submitted the personal statement, I cannot include these other professors she named as "references." So, should I write these professors? And say what? Professor XYZ said that I should contact you? What do I say after that? I mean it seems kinda strange, as I sit down to actually write the emails, to correspond with someone AFTER the application has been submitted and in which, they were never mentioned.

HELP!!!

Well, first of all you can try contacting the grad secretary and asking if you can send a new statement. When was their deadline?

I don't think that contacting profs after you have submitted the application would be a good idea. It's really a pity that this professor has not sent you the reply earlier!

If you will not be able to change the statement, I believe you should wait until you are accepted and then contact the profs mentioned in the letter.

...Ok, so I have started this post with the advice to change your SOP but now I am not so sure if it is a good idea after all... I will explain why. Some professors I have contacted told me that there were these other professors that could be interested in working with me. But after I contacted them, it turned out that, while they thought that my research is worthwile, they did not wanted to supervise it (they worked on somewhat different topics). What I want to say is that professors can make assumptions about projects other professors might or might not like to supervise. But that is just it - assumptions.

It may different in your field, though.

[Strangefox]

I would contact them. Why not?

Because it is generally considered a bad idea. It may look as if you are trying to influence adcom decisions through them. So it could put you in an awkward situation.

Networking is good, there is no doubt about that, but the time when one is waiting for news from schools he/she had applied to is not exactly the right time for it.

[MegMill]

Well now I just don't know what to do. Insert puzzled face.

I am pretty much desperate to get into this program because they have a STRONG focus on legal history. So I don't want to do ANYTHING that may jeopardize my acceptance. I definitely do not want to change my SOP; that just seems like a bit much at this point.

I have this fear though, that the professor that wrote me will ask the others if I contacted them. And if I hadn't, that might look shitty. But on the other hand, it could look so very odd that I'm writing these people after the app, cuz, like I said, I didn't mention them whatsoever. Oh lord...Tums please...

[Strangefox]

I have this fear though, that the professor that wrote me will ask the others if I contacted them. And if I hadn't, that might look shitty.

I have an idea!

You could just send a reply to this professor explaining the situation! Explain to her what you have explained us: that you are afraid it is not a good idea to contact these profs after you have submitted the app, and ask her for advice. Perhaps she will say it's totally fine to do that! Then you will send letters to these other profs telling that she recommended you to do that! Thus you will have a great excuse. No one will think that you are trying to influence adcom decisions or something like that by sending letters after you have applied! It is perfect!

[MegMill]

I have an idea!

You could just send a reply to this professor explaining the situation! Explain to her what you have explained us: that you are afraid it is not a good idea to contact these profs after you have submitted the app, and ask her for advice. Perhaps she will say it's totally fine to do that! Then you will send letters to these other profs telling that she recommended you to do that! Thus you will have a great excuse. No one will think that you are trying to influence adcom decisions or something like that by sending letters after you have applied! It is perfect!

that's a good idea! i doubt she'll respond again, but it's worth a try! thanks, y'all.

[MoJingly]

that's a good idea! i doubt she'll respond again, but it's worth a try! thanks, y'all.

It certainly is worth a try! If she doesn't respond, I would ignore my original advice about contacting the professors at this time. I think strangefox is right on this one. : )

Keep us posted!