Once the acceptances start rolling in...

[electrifice]

This is the month we've all been waiting for and pretty soon we'll start hearing back from the schools we applied to.

In fact, I already heard back from one school (PhD programs) and I'm wondering what to do until all my acceptances are in. I mean... what to do about the acceptances I already have? I spoke with the potential advisor once briefly and he seemed eager to meet me when I visit. Is there something I should be doing before I visit the college beyond reading and learning about the research at this school? I'm just wondering whether potential PIs expect their potential students to keep in touch after getting accepted.

Please share your thoughts!

[polarscribe]

I don't think you need to be in constant contact with your potential major professors - just touch base post-acceptance, line up the visit and let things go from there.

[space-cat]

I'm in the same boat: I heard back from one school about a month ago, and the visit is at the end of March. I'm planning to send a quick, friendly email to my POI a few weeks before the visit, just reconfirming my enthusiasm for meeting her and a colleague she recommended, maybe a comment or two about some recent news in the field. The questions I have about the program, her research, etc. will be better answered in person anyway, so there's no need for anything else in advance.

[electrifice]

Thanks for the replies!

Space-cat, I was thinking along the same lines too. Perhaps touch base with POI for tips on who to meet and what to look into during the department visit.

Also, how do you expect to "prepare" for the department visit? What is expected from potential graduate students? Should I drown myself in my department's research before attending and is it going to be anything like an interview where you may need to prove your worth (beyond just being generally competent, of course)? I ask because I did not expect to hear back affirmatively from this school and I'm not as up to date with their research as some of the other schools I applied to. Excited nonetheless, although the department visit falls right before finals!