Should I have done something more?

[NoMoreABD]

Hey all

The wait is of course driving me insane (still haven't heard anything from all programs). I keep finding reasons as to why I will be rejected. The new thing I've come up with is that I didn't invest enough in POI relations.

When I applied, for one of the programs I was required to find a research supervisor in advance - standard procedure for PhD. I did my research, found faculty members I wanted to work with, sent emails, and got some really good replies. Some were honest to say they're not looking, or too busy to take on another student. But some were very interested in my research and agreed to serve as supervisors.

And here is the potential problem:

To those who agreed, I sent an enthusiastic but very short reply, saying that I'm submitting my application and looking forward to working with them. I didn't initiate any continuance, and assumed that if they wanted to they would contact me further.

Of course, the original emails were very elaborate and included a description of my research interests, with attached CV and writing example and what not.

In my field, there aren't any interviews usually. And in my application I did make the necessary connection to the potential supervisors. So I did everything I was supposed to.

But I can't help but wondering: Should I have done more? Should I have done some follow up with the POIs? I read here about people getting informal notice of acceptance/rejection from their POI, and I wonder if I didn't miss something.

Maybe I should have notified them after my application was complete, to let them now it was time for them to keep in touch with the addcom or something?

And since none of the programs had sent any answers yet, maybe it's not too late?

Should I kill two birds with one stone - email them now and ask if they know anything, and by that also remind them they have an interest in my acceptance? I mean, some of them might be on the addcom. But then again, isn't it rude? Isn't it more expected to contact the program secretary/manager concerning decisions timeline?

Any help or word of advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

[the poisoned pawn]

What you did was good actually. It's nice to put your name somewhere in the professors' mind but don't try to annoy them too much since they may be very busy. Just a little bit of chatting is alright.

[ikatticus]

I agree, I always fear that if I keep talking to a professor about my research indefinitely it is boardering on a sense that I feel I am already in, rather than keeping with the sense that it is *proposed* research rather than something we are definitely going to do.

A small amount of email correspondence should have done the trick.

[newms]

I agree with the above posters. It seems that you've already done more than required in terms of establishing contacts with POIs. I see that you've applied to Canadian schools and my understanding is that they can take a little longer to make decisions than US schools - so maybe that is why you haven't heard back yet, and yes, it is better to contact the program secretary about decisions timelines. Perhaps you could just call the program secretary to ask when decisions for your program would be announced. Good luck!