Are you guys contacting professors/departments yet?

[justanotherperson]

Hi all!

I have a question to those planning to apply for polisci phD programs this season. Are you already in contact with or going to contact professors you would like to work with?

Or is contacting the department and asking if certain professors will take in students in 2012 enough?

I have heard different opinions on contacting professors prior to or during the admission cycle (some recommend it while others advise against it), so I'm really confused. Some people say contacting professors is not absolutely necessary in political science, but I'd still like to hear some insights from others who are about to go through the same nerve-racking process.

Thanks and good luck to everyone reading this! xD

[edost]

I've already contacted people to ask them if my interests fit theirs. Almost all of them (about a dozen) replied, and quite warmly. Only one person implied that I shouldn't have contacted him. Since some of the people who replied to me recommended other professors I should contact, I'd say that in most cases, getting in touch is a good idea. I should note, though, that not all the people I've been in contact with are from PoliSci (the others being from Communications).

From what I understand, having someone "on the inside" interested in working with you before your application arrives on their desk is a good thing, since it increases your chances of being accepted.

[Penelope Higgins]

Here's the view from the other end of the process: individual professors don't "take students" in poli sci programs in the US, since funding comes from departments or the university and not individual faculty members. Contacting us might help you figure out if the department would be a good fit, but unless we happen to be on the admissions committee (which is about 5 faculty members in my department) and happen to remember our interaction when we open your file, it won't make a big difference. So I would not put too much effort into this, nor put too much stock in the responses you get - people can be warm now and not remember you in March, and ignore your email now but find your file appealing in 6 months. I don't say this to be rude, but to inject a dose of realism, and to try to remind folks that in the end, your chances rise and fall based on what you can put on paper by the admissions deadline.

[CloakandSwagger]

Yea, I contacted all the professors whose work I was interested in at the time I submitted my applications. Some emailed back, a lot did not. Out of the ones who emailed back, only two chose not to continue correspondence (this is because I am applying to be an MS student rather than a PhD student). I just wanted to touch base with the professors to see if they were at least open to letting me do some research with them because that would affect my decision to attend that particular school or not.

[balderdash]

I did. 8/12 responded, and the four who didn't were absolute superstars. Also, a few of them asked me questions, and I had a short exchange of emails with each to get a better idea of the program. Two even asked me to pass on personal messages to a former supervisor.

So taking PH's advice from above, I would say that it certainly doesn't hurt if you're familiar with professional emails. The worst is that they're just going to forget you, and it may end up helping you some months hence.

[TheCreuset]

I didn't contact any of my potential professors. Instead, I relied on my adviser knowing many of the POIs I listed on my different personal statements. It worked out fine.

[justanotherperson]

Very, very helpful answers, thank you all very much!!! I realize, thanks to PH, that materials I put into my application matter more than exchanges with professors. Still I might try contacting some of the professors, based on what other applicants have said, though I know I might just be another (and quite possibly annoying) would-be grad school student to the individual professors...

Thank you very much again and good luck to everybody

[gradcafe26]

Do you guys contact professors directly or department assistants? Isn't it the latter's job to answer such questions from applicants?

[edost]

Do you guys contact professors directly or department assistants? Isn't it the latter's job to answer such questions from applicants?

I've contacted professors directly. I only contacted administrators for more technical questions.

[yessir911]

I personally don't think contacting professors over email is the best approach.

What I have done in the past if geography is not an issue (living in Boston makes live easier as many of the people I want to work with aren't that far), is to find ways to interact with them that is not so direct. I have been at several conferences with people I would like to work with. I make sure I know their work, introduce myself and strike up a conversation. I mention I was thinking applying to their program and see where it goes. Sometimes, I don't even do that so much I just try to get my name in front of them in a nice way.

[edost]

I personally don't think contacting professors over email is the best approach.

What I have done in the past if geography is not an issue (living in Boston makes live easier as many of the people I want to work with aren't that far), is to find ways to interact with them that is not so direct. I have been at several conferences with people I would like to work with. I make sure I know their work, introduce myself and strike up a conversation. I mention I was thinking applying to their program and see where it goes. Sometimes, I don't even do that so much I just try to get my name in front of them in a nice way.

That's an excellent approach. Actually seeing you and talking to you makes more of an impression than e-mails. That isn't practical all the time, though. If you want to go to a school on the other side of the world, the other side of the country, or even ten hours away by car, unless you're near a university where there are a lot of conferences and the professors travel to where you are - you need to e-mail the professors.

[Neuronista]

One issue I'm facing when I'm contacting POIs is that they do seem interested in my research but they're saying that they cannot decide from now whether they will have vacancies in their labs by the time I join (I'm applying to the sciences).

So what should I do in this case? What should my reply be? I still want them to remember me as a potential student, but they seem that they're not exactly ready to discuss research opportunities with them for the time being.