Should I contact professors and ask for interviews?

[edost]

I'm visiting the United States soon and would like to meet potential advisers, mostly in mass communications but also some in PoliSci. I should stress that haven't even applied yet. Would I be considered out of bounds if I e-mailed someone asking to meet with them? If this is acceptable, then do you have any tips about what I should write? Should I attach a CV?

[MadameNon]

I don't think it's a bad idea, especially if you'll be in the area. But some departments prefer to set up these meetings, so if I were you I'd contact the department secretaries and ask about the specific professors' office hours. Explain that you are a potential applicant from out of the country and that you'll be visiting from this date to this date and they will help you from there. Likely they'll put you in touch with the individual prof, in which case I don't think a CV is necessary but certainly briefly (BRIEFLY!) describe your background in the field and then talk specifically (as specifically as you can at this point) about why you are interested in them and the uni.