Creating a webpage and emailing it to prospective advisors when applying?

[InquilineKea]

Has anyone else done this? How did it turn out?

Ideally, it would be a webpage that showcased your research and some of your interests. I would make even more, but it is sort of a pain to deal with copyright when displaying images from journal articles.

[queller]

I believe MIT Media lab practically requires this, but calls it a portfolio. I havent made one, as I have a bit before I will be applying anywhere. Though I definitely plan to make one to add to my application.

You could always link to the journal articles or the professor's page. Plus if it is your own research take a camera snapshot, so the copyright to the image will be yours meaning you wont have to worry.

[Gilmour]

A web-page definitely gives more info about your work without the need to open large or cumbersome (multiple) PDF or Doc files as email attachments..So, this is a good idea indeed..and..I did this for my applications..

Regarding the snapshots, I believe its ok... as long as you refer them...but its always better to put snapshots of your own results, graphs, experimental setup...and discuss results from other papers (if u think its necessary..and can avoid the details)...My personal belief is that the faculty doesn't have enough time to go through all the content in detail...as they are busy most of the time..So, make it simple..with all the relevant information and publications if any...and present a synopsis of each of your work (or the title of the publications)..and you can provide links which give the detailed report (or full-length papers)...of your work or project...So, the people who are highly interested can see the details...and others who just want to skim through..can do that....Hope this helps..

Edited April 27, 2011 by Gilmour

[InquilineKea]

Oh cool - nice! Does anyone know of ways to auto-convert LaTeX files to HTML form? It's a bit of a pain when I have to make changes for my CV, but have to then manually make them on both PDF and HTML form.

[Golden Monkey]

Google sites might work out for you. No idea about the LaTeX to html though.

[ringo-ring]

The copyright shouldn't be a problem a long as website is private. For example you could make a login form so that only adcoms who have the password from SOP can see the pictures!

[finknottle]

^ I wouldn't recommend this. Even if you make a website, only a small fraction of professors will end up reading it. There just isn't enough time. Another reason is that at times, people might be going through the hard copies of your application materials, and they can't just click on the link, so to speak, to go to your website. By adding one more barrier, you are just deterring them further. If you want people to visit your website, provide a public link to it in your SOP/CV and also confirm that it shows up in google searches. That is the best you can do. Regarding the copyright stuff, just include disclaimers and cite sources properly. No one is going to sue you over something like this.