Owlie Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 I'll be starting an MS this fall in my field, but my real goal is a PhD. Is it too soon to start e-mailing programs with general questions? (I'm thinking of starting this once I've gotten set in a lab and can say what I'm doing.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtncffts Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 I think it's probably early if you're planning on applying not this fall but next, or later. I don't think it would affect your eventual application in any way, though, unless you do something terrible in those e-mails... I'm not sure what you mean by general questions, but you should explore program websites first, as some of the answers to your questions will likely be readily available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strangefox Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 I'll be starting an MS this fall in my field, but my real goal is a PhD. Is it too soon to start e-mailing programs with general questions? (I'm thinking of starting this once I've gotten set in a lab and can say what I'm doing.) I agree with Wtncffts, don't ask questions that are too general if answers can be found on schools' websites. Contacting graduate secretary and professors schould happen after researching all information about programs that is available. This way you will show them that you are a serious candidate. So while it is perhaps too early to start emailing programs with questions, it is not too early to start researching programs. Believe me, you will find a lot of work there. There are so many interesting programs and information on their websites can be sometimes confusing. I remember when I was researching programs last year.... After visiting all those websites several times, I did not know how to arrange all this info in my head So read and compare, ask questions here and then after you find something that neither the websites no people on this board can explain to you, then ask the programs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owlie Posted June 25, 2011 Author Share Posted June 25, 2011 Well, obviously I'm not going to e-mail them to ask "So, what are your admissions requirements?" or something. Drives me crazy when people don't read posted information. I guess it's more along the lines of "how do you treat someone who would coming into the program with a master's?", which of course varies by program. I agree that it's probably a little early, but based on their responses I can start narrowing down my list. Otherwise I have a feeling I'm going to have to take out a loan to apply! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strangefox Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 (edited) I guess it's more along the lines of "how do you treat someone who would coming into the program with a master's?", which of course varies by program. In my understanding, master's can be only a plus, never a minus. May be somebody here will disagree... But why should it be to your disadvantage? Some graduate programs don't admit BA's but I have not heard of those who don't take MA's. Whom do they admit then? But anyway it's great that you are thinking about these things in advance. It will save you from stress and unnecessary expenses in the future. So keep researching schools and we on this board will be more than happy to guide you in the application process Edited June 25, 2011 by Strangefox Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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