E-mailing current grad students

[soramimicake]

So I'm to the point where I've narrowed it down between two schools and have no idea what I'm going to decide. I remembered some questions that I forgot to ask current grad students while I was interviewing, and also kind of want to hear from some grad students who weren't necessarily involved in the recruiting process. The school I want to contact has a list of grad students in the program as well as their e-mails. Is it weird to just blind e-mail a few of them and ask their opinions? If it's okay, how should I go about asking questions? Just say, Hey, I'm thinking about going to this school and wanted to get input from some other grad students?

Thanks!

[newms]

It might be a little odd to email a grad student out of the blue, but I'm sure that they probably get similar inquiries from other prospective students. Perhaps you can ask the graduate coordinator or your POI for contact information of some graduate students who would be willing to speak with you. Most schools/departments want admitted students to meet or talk with current students in the hope of getting the admitted student to accept their offer, so I'm guessing that they would be more than happy to facilitate your request. Good luck!

[anonthropology]

I think it's a great idea. I emailed three grad students out of the blue (based on their research interests posted on their school's web sites) while applying. One did not respond at all, but two responded kindly and with helpful information about their programs. I ended up meeting with both of the students who wrote back when I visited their campuses. I think in your case it would be a great idea to email students, and I think it's actually a lot less out of the blue if you've already been admitted to the program. On the flip side, I've also been emailed about my current and past programs by strangers, and I've always been happy to respond. I'm corresponding with grad students at the schools I've been accepted to for Fall 11, and they've all been really helpful in helping me make a decision (although I'm far from having reached one!).

[eklavya]

Just say, Hey, I'm thinking about going to this school and wanted to get input from some other grad students?

yep, that's exactly how it's done. put yourself in their shoes, and ask how would you take an 'out of the blue' email from a prospective student. pretty sure you'd reply, because it's about helping someone out, and more than that, facilitating the transition to grad school. you can also tell the grad students you didn't meet 'hey, i met this and this person from the dept while i was there, but can you also kindly give your input on this concern i have', or similar. i am very certain they will take it normally, as some of them must have received few emails from other students this year, as well as in the past years. if there's a list of students already given in the website, there's no need to contact the POI asking for students' email ids - the POI might actually raise eyebrows when you say such. if you feel odd, you can first email the folks you met while you were there, and ask them to forward the emails to those who you didn't meet. this might make the transaction little more smoother.

and of course, congrats on the acceptances!

[nhyn]

My POI suggested emailing this particular grad student since our interests are somewhat similar, to see what her experience is like. She replied, in great details. We had nice conversations. Your best bet is to ask your POI for their contacts; chances are that your POI might have mentioned you to them already, so it won't be too out of the blue.

[Eigen]

I'd pick someone who's general research interests align with yours (it would be strange for me to get an e-mail from someone in a completely different subfield), but even then I'd be as helpful as possible (or refer the e-mail to someone who could answer more specifically).

But yeah, past that, I've never minded cold e-mails. That's why my e-mail address is up online.

[StellaHaiti2]

I blind-emailed students even before I was accepted (still waiting, actually) with good results. This school had student profiles, with the suggestion you contact them by looking them up in the school directory. These students do not normally get blind emails, as it turns out. They offered to contact other students for me and all were willing to answer my questions (I am waiting until I am accepted to follow up). Here was my template.

Hi X,

I am an applicant for the next MPA class, but unfortunately I can only visit your campus during the Spring Break. I would love to meet up with a student specializing in X, would you or anyone in your specialty happen to be in town on X date? In exchange for breakfast or lunch of course. If not, would you be willing and able to answer some questions about your experience at a later date? I currently work in (your former field), at (well known nonprofit), so I am definitely interested in your particular experience and decision-making process. Thank you for your time,

StellaHaiti2