A UCLA professor replies me, andwhat does that imply ?

[zernike]

I just send an Email to a professor of UCLA to show research interest and CV, and She replies: please apply for phd and mention my name. I will interview you in january.

I don't know what does that imply? Did she really want me or just reply politely?

[Hatem]

As far as I know from reading posts on this forum,some professors have an auto-reply.They just encourage the potential applicant to apply to their program.In your case the professor encouraged you to apply to their Phd "although you are applying to a master as it appears on your profile".I don't know if she really liked you and your C.V.,so she asked you to apply for a Phd instead of a master or she's just autoreplying you.

[zernike]

As far as I know from reading posts on this forum,some professors have an auto-reply.They just encourage the potential applicant to apply to their program.In your case the professor encouraged you to apply to their Phd "although you are applying to a master as it appears on your profile".I don't know if she really liked you and your C.V.,so she asked you to apply for a Phd instead of a master or she's just autoreplying you.

But currently i am applying for Phd, and she said interview, what do you think?

[Riem]

What was the exact message she gave you? If it was something that terse, I'd imagine it to be auto-reply.

[orst11]

On some applications, putting that you have discussed the the possibility of attending a given program and working with a professor shows that you have done your research on programs. It therefore helps you when they do decide what students to interview and then admit, of course if you meet their given criteria. With that said she could have honestly liked what she saw and is simply encouraging you to apply. But also be aware that top programs get hundreds of applications for a limited number of spots in their programs and really often this is how the simply encourage you to apply. A simple reply is better than hearing nothing though.

[kaykaykay]

-she takes students

-she gave the green light for you to put her name on the application( it will be then probably sent to her along with all the others who want to work with her)

do not read too much into this, the competition is tough for each individual spot and there are so many factors playing in admission decisions. But this is a quite good outcome at least you are one step closer to having your application in the consider pile.

Edited October 23, 2011 by kalapocska

[fuzzylogician]

Maybe this FSP blog entry could be relevant: http://science-professor.blogspot.com/2011/10/writing-to-me-reprise.html

[zernike]

What was the exact message she gave you? If it was something that terse, I'd imagine it to be auto-reply.

No, she replied more than what i just said, with a little more specifics

[zernike]

On some applications, putting that you have discussed the the possibility of attending a given program and working with a professor shows that you have done your research on programs. It therefore helps you when they do decide what students to interview and then admit, of course if you meet their given criteria. With that said she could have honestly liked what she saw and is simply encouraging you to apply. But also be aware that top programs get hundreds of applications for a limited number of spots in their programs and really often this is how the simply encourage you to apply. A simple reply is better than hearing nothing though.

But she mentioned she will interview me. Did that imply something more?

[orst11]

But she mentioned she will interview me. Did that imply something more?

I think kalapocska's comment is a more direct answer to the question. Truthfully, I know professors personally that have said they would interview people in Jan. and didn't, it simply just acknowledges that you are a candidate that does match their research and they will look more into your file in Jan., when they are making admission decisions.

[Eigen]

I think kalapocska's comment is a more direct answer to the question. Truthfully, I know professors personally that have said they would interview people in Jan. and didn't, it simply just acknowledges that you are a candidate that does match their research and they will look more into your file in Jan., when they are making admission decisions.

This. Saying to mention her name in your application mostly just ensures that your application will be sent to her when you send it in, and that she'll be scheduled to talk to you on any interviews. It doesn't really imply that you're getting preferential treatment by mentioning your name.

Similarly, saying she'll interview you in January means that once the application process is complete, and if you're invited for an interview, she will look at you in more detail then, and meet with you.

Most professors really don't make significant advances this early in the season, before they've seen the full spectrum of people that are applying. If you're a phenomenally outstanding candidate, or can really contribute something to their area of research they might- but usually, they'll wait until the next stage in the process, after you've made it past the first cuts in the admission committee.