Contacting faculty

[Billy1]

Could somebody advise me if this is the thing to do:

1. Prior to applying

2. After applying but before acceptance

3. After acceptance

There was an article link in another forum and the Computer Scientist there said don't bother until after acceptance.

For Social Sciences, is that the done thing?

[IvyHope]

Billy1,

What is your intent when you contact them? Are you trying to initiate a conversation that may result in their asking you to visit?

I am in a social science, and I did contact prospective faculty before applying. However, you can also contact them after you apply, before you are given a decision, in my opinion. You can always contact them after you are accepted.

[Billy1]

Thanks Ivy

Yeah, I was thinking interview or just to signal that I've applied and that my interests are xyz, would you be interested in supervising something like that?

Or does the last part sound a little too forward?

Thanks,

Billy

[IvyHope]

No, you should not ask them if they would be interested in supervising your interest. Do a little research and make sure you know the prospective faculty and their interests. Then decide which of those matches your own interests, and write your email from there.

[Billy1]

So my plan is just to write them and say hey, I'm planning on researching xyz, and I found your book on blah blah very interesting. But then what - that's the tough bit.

I hope you consider my application favourably.

I hope, if I gain admission, to work with you.

If I gain admission, would you be interested in supervising sth. like this.

Thanks for responses thus far.

[IvyHope]

Dear Dr. XYZ

My name is blah blah. I am a student at ABC (or currently employed at) and I am considering applying to programs for next year. I am interested in researching the effects of turtle mating habits on the blah blah blah, and have come across several of your pieces in my reading. I am writing to ask if you are accepting new students next year because I think our interests are a good match. (Insert a few questions about their work). It hope to one day become a researcher (or whatever your goals are). Please let me know if you are accepting students, and if I sound like a good prospective match. I look forward to hearing from you,

Thanks again,

Name here.

[Billy1]

That's awesome.

Thanks for your response. It makes this a lot easier.

B

[rising_star]

Billy1, I think a lot depends on what kind of programs you're applying to. Did you already apply? If so, MA, MPP/MPA, or PhD?

For a PhD applicant, I think it's important to contact faculty before you apply to make sure that the faculty in your research interest are accepting new students. If you've already put in applications, it can't hurt to try and make contact with the faculty you've mentioned in your SOP. But, you may want to wait until you're accepted. After getting accepted, it's important to contact faculty to see what courses they will be teaching, their involvement on student committees, etc.

[Billy1]

Thanks rs, i've already applied.

I was thinking of doing this before decision, as I may regret not flagging up my presence were I to be rejected.

I can't see that it will do any major harm.

[rising_star]

Billy1, master's or PhD? I think for a master's, particularly a professional one, it's not all that important. If you do contact profs, you need to make sure it doesn't come across like you're brown-nosing at this stage in the application process. It's difficult to do sometimes, but definitely not impossible. The sample email IvyHope suggested could work, with some modifications obviously since you've already applied. I wouldn't have anything like "I hope you view my application positively/favorably" in there, as that'll make it seem like you're trying to influence them (which you are but don't be so obvious about it, you know?). I would avoid asking if they're accepting students (it's something more commonly asked before you apply or after you get in), mentioning anything about being a prospective match, and talking about your goals. I'd have some definitive questions about their work and show a strong connection between it and your interests. Good luck!

[Billy1]

Thanks rs. I am a PhD applicant. Just is an awkward thing to do, your advice is appreciated, thanks for it.

[jackassjim]

I'd have some definitive questions about their work and show a strong connection between it and your interests.

I never quite understood why people wanted to make up substantive questions only so that they can make contacts with profs. Even if you're subtle, at this time of year, they see you coming from kilometers away (hey Americans, when will you finally go metric?!?). Why not be direct and practical?

I say: (1) don't just write compliments for no reason; (2) ask a question only if you actually care about it; (3) if you decide to ask a question, make sure it's one that can be answered in about 3 lines of text (these people are busy); (4) yes, ask if they take students --> if they don't have the funds and no other profs interests you in the dept, you might want to reconsider applying there altogether (I know this doesn't apply to the OP, but I mean this as more general advice). (Also, this depends on the discipline. I know for some it's crucial to have someone with funds to hang on to. In others, it isn't)

Now, I do think it's good to ask a question to get the interaction going, but make sure it doesn't come from left field. For example, I'm applying to joint programs, and I asked some profs about the program, how well it was integrated, and how well they thought it prepared students for the type of research I want to do (which happens to be the same kind of research they do). I didn't want to ask about how they positioned themselves in some meta-theoretical debate, given their stance on X and Y in the paper they have published in 1987 in the American Journal of blah blah blah.

Note to rising_star: I know the quote was kind of misinterpreted, but I meant to use it as an example only. Sorry.

[rising_star]

Now, I do think it's good to ask a question to get the interaction going, but make sure it doesn't come from left field. For example, I'm applying to joint programs, and I asked some profs about the program, how well it was integrated, and how well they thought it prepared students for the type of research I want to do (which happens to be the same kind of research they do). I didn't want to ask about how they positioned themselves in some meta-theoretical debate, given their stance on X and Y in the paper they have published in 1987 in the American Journal of blah blah blah.

jackassjim, I think you gave some really great advice. Your questions about joint programs are a lot like the questions I often asked profs when considering programs given that my interests are interdisciplinary. It's very important to figure out whether the collaboration is on paper or actually done.

If it helps anyone, I just took a look at the emails I sent prospective advisors when I was applying to PhD programs last year. They were much longer than your standard email (two lengthy paragraphs) but I always got a friendly reply (this could be my discipline and the fact that I had been networking). The first paragraph told them about me, my current school and research, and that I'm considering their doctoral program. The second paragraph is where I went into questions. An excerpt:

"I have several questions for you. First, are you looking for graduate students in the upcoming admissions cycle (to begin in fall 2008)? If so, what kinds of students are you interested in? Is it a problem if a students regional interests are not directly aligned with your own? ... [deleted thing about how our regional interests don't match] Last but not least, how would you describe your advising and mentoring style with your graduate students? Thank you in advance for taking the time to answer my questions. I apologize for the length of this email and I look forward to hearing from you in the near future."

I hope that helps. Billy1, if you're really looking for something to ask, ask about the mentorship of their students. Ask if they see themselves as a mentor and how they act in that role. Find out how involved they are during coursework, in qualifying exam prep, and at the dissertation stage. Is the person going to read for content or copyedit? Be a friend, a peer, or what? For example, my advisor wants to know nothing about my personal life. He says it has nothing to do with what we do. But that doesn't stop us from having a beer together at happy hour, going out for dinner and drinks, etc. But everyone's style and interaction with their students is different and you want to make sure you're comfortable with the situation you're getting yourself into before you attend. I actually had several profs point out that prospective students hardly ever asked them that last question of mine above and that it was really smart to ask it.

[ridgey]

An excerpt:

"I have several questions for you. First, are you looking for graduate students in the upcoming admissions cycle (to begin in fall 2008)? If so, what kinds of students are you interested in? Is it a problem if a students regional interests are not directly aligned with your own? ... [deleted thing about how our regional interests don't match] Last but not least, how would you describe your advising and mentoring style with your graduate students? Thank you in advance for taking the time to answer my questions. I apologize for the length of this email and I look forward to hearing from you in the near future."

... I actually had several profs point out that prospective students hardly ever asked them that last question of mine above and that it was really smart to ask it.

That's interesting, rising_star. I'd have been apprehensive about using that approach - it could come off as presumptuous to make contact with soemone and demand they give me a reason to grace them with my presence. Obviously you pulled it off, well done!

[jackassjim]

I also found that very intersting rising_star.

Like ridgey, I feel this is something that would require quite careful phrasing. One thing is certain, I will ask that of prospective mentors after I get accepted...

[rising_star]

You know, I never even ran that email by my advisor before sending it out. But, one thing I learned doing my master's is that you should be interviewing faculty as much as they are interviewing you. It's about finding the right match for you. In my MA program, one prof strongly encourages all students to interview prospective advisors about their advising and mentoring style before committing to one. I think it's great advice. Because, honestly, it's like a job interview: you have to convince them they want you but you also have to be convinced that they are worth your time and that they offer what you need.

[limeinthecoconut]

You know, I never even ran that email by my advisor before sending it out. But, one thing I learned doing my master's is that you should be interviewing faculty as much as they are interviewing you. It's about finding the right match for you. In my MA program, one prof strongly encourages all students to interview prospective advisors about their advising and mentoring style before committing to one. I think it's great advice. Because, honestly, it's like a job interview: you have to convince them they want you but you also have to be convinced that they are worth your time and that they offer what you need.

Great advice! Though I think I'll use this, if I reach the point when I get offers. *fingers crossed*

[husky07]

rising_star, did you send that email before applying, after applying, or after getting in?

[rising_star]

Before applying. I'm pretty sure I said that in the other post.

[leogk]

I think, whether contacting professors or not should be considered not because you are interested in them but because they seem to be interested in you.

If you are sure that your recommenders, background, particular papers, or lab experience are intriguing to them, you'd better do it.

Otherwise, your email would be seen as just one of thousands of deleted-without-reading emails .

[domanda]

i tried a few times and got no reply. then stopped. now i'm regretting giving up...it's just frustrating after getting no reply and thinking that it might well be a signal of rejection.

[limeinthecoconut]

i tried a few times and got no reply. then stopped. now i'm regretting giving up...it's just frustrating after getting no reply and thinking that it might well be a signal of rejection.

Some of them just never bother with prospective graduate students. Don't take it personally.