How much does emailing professors actually help

[Coconutman39]

Hey everybody,

I am applying for biochemistry programs for Fall 2012 admission, and have read a lot about the application process. Everybody seems to think that you should email potential PIs, talking about their research and asking questions about their group, to give yourself an advantage later. I am at the point where I am finished with my applications, and since I have some downtime, I was wondering if this really accomplishes anything?

Does anybody have input on whether emailing a PI gives you a distinct advantage, or is worth doing? (Of course I realize, you will learn more about their research, but I assume everybody knows at least the basics of the research they are going to ask about)

[Eigen]

If you've finished your applications you're past the point where it's recommended that you email professors. The idea is to contact them and talk about their research so you can feel put a good fit which you can then talk about in your SoP.

[Coconutman39]

I do see that aspect, but when I was applying I researched the professors very well before putting them in my SOP as potential PIs. What I am more concerned about is the possibility that by emailing them now, or in the past, that when they see your name if they review applications, they will have some predisposition to accepting you. I find this hard to believe, as it is essentially making the application review process even more subjective than it already is.

[whirlpool4]

I said something relevant in a different thread:

I recently switched out one of my schools for another, so I'm also starting an app from scratch at this point. I'm trying to submit as many apps as I can this week but I'm still waiting on emails back from profs to see if they're accepting students, etc. I guess I should just send them in... Also, I'm glad when a department says they're going to contact me, but I also had a prof say I'm free to call him. scared of what to say :x

I ended up calling that prof, stuttering and all (jk), and he spent the better part of 40 minutes explaining the admissions process and told me about some huge fellowships that I had no idea about. He said that since I was proactive and contacting profs ahead of time, he would tell me info that other students wouldn't get to hear. He also said he would get in touch with the graduate program coordinator to keep an eye out for my application AND gave me some tips about loopholes to get my app looked at faster.

Def worth it!!

[Eigen]

It depends how insightful your comments on their research.

The sad truth is, there's only do much research you can do without contacting them. Publications are on old research, not current and future directions. Similarly, most faculty are really bad about ever updating their group pages. And then there's whether or not the faculty you want to work with are taking new students or not.

I actually didn't contact anyone at two of the schools I applied to- and the last school I visited the summer before applying. I think the visit, and some good one on one conversations helped a lot. At the schools where I didn't contact anyone, I got my application referred to the people I mentioned in m SoP, and we started talking within about a week of when I submitted my app (rolling admissions are great). At another school, it turned out almost all of the faculty I wanted to work with were either not taking students or had drastically changed research areas.

I don't think it will matter hugely either way for you, honestly. As for the subjectivity of applications... I'd say they are, and should be a very subjective process. Souch of it is about fit and meshing of personalities that it has to be subjective to work.

[Alaskah]

AND gave me some tips about loopholes to get my app looked at faster.

Mind sharing? Kidding of course, I'm sure every school will have different "loopholes" and I believe anyone wanting to know them should take the initiative on their own. That was very kind of that professor. Maybe it was because you were one of the few who had the guts to call? I don't know if I would have the nerve to...I am much better at planning and writing out my thoughts than saying anything of real substance on the fly. Though I am getting better at that. And it sounds like he did most of the talking, which I'm sure was a relief for you.

How far in advance of applying would you recommend contacting professors (for Ph.D. programs with deadlines ranging from December - February)? I know that during application season can be a bad time, and some profs take a while to respond. I've also heard that summer isn't always the best time since many travel, have side projects, etc. I won't be applying until next fall, so I have quite some time to plan out my process.

[Alaskah]

Also, has anyone ever contacted students currently in the program or who are working with the desired advisor? Are current students generally happy to respond honestly about their quality of life and educational experiences with said advisor? This would be more to get an idea of "fit" in the department and town as a whole rather than a "fit" with your advisor of course, but still something to consider.

[Eigen]

I'll answer that from both ends- I answer honestly when students email me about our group, and I also had good success emailing during admissions.

[Feri]

I am also thinking of emailing professors. But I am taking my GRE in a month from now, and my last GRE scores are not satisfactory to me. Also, I am working on a paper with my undergrad prof, and don't know when it's gonna finish. Do you think I can wait for a month and send emails on early November, or do you hink I should start contacting them with the status quo?   Thanks!

[Eigen]

This is likely something that would better be in a new thread, rather than one 2 years old and focussing on a completely different area of grad school.