Emailing POIs After Submitting Applications

[gellert]

What is the general consensus on re-emailing POIs who responded favorably to your initial emails, letting them know that you've submitted your application?

[maeisenb]

Depends on how your contact went, but couldn't see why it would hurt.

[Sigaba]

I'd send a note via post (that is, not an email) thanking the POIs for their expressed interest. I would point out that their interest built my confidence during the application process.

I'd make these two points an aspect, maybe even a secondary point, to a slightly longer note in which I continued the ongoing conversation between myself and the POI.

[NoMoreABD]

I'd definitely email them to let them know my application is submitted. That way, in case they already forgot about you, they can remember what you talked about and more importantly have a fresh memory of your name when the apps are reviewed.

The best thing to do is to find something new to say or ask in this email, to continue the dialogue.

Unfortunately, in my case, every time I wrote these emails I was exhausted from submitting the application, and all I wrote was a quick thank you. Still got some nice responses, like "I'll be looking out for your application". But I'm hoping to do better in the emails I'll write to the POIs in the programs I haven't submitted yet. (3/10 left!)

[gellert]

IDK, I asked the grad student in my lab today and he said he didn't actually recommend sending them such emails unless they'd explicitly requested that I let them know.

Perhaps it's better to err on the side of caution than be annoyingly persistent during finals week.

[elem3nt]

From interactions with grad students and PIs, I get the feeling that it generally isn't worth it. A prof is more interested in recruiting from the pool of admitted grad students than someone who hasn't even been admitted yet. Your interests could change once you reach grad school, and even if they don't, there are 2-3 other profs whose research you are interested in at that school (right? ). Finally, profs say they receive hordes of these types of emails every day.

Overall it won't hurt but the overwhelming chances are you will be ignored, making the effort spent in drafting the emails not worth the potential reward.

[lolnumbers]

i sent them, although i don't think it makes a big difference either way. don't sweat the little stuff too much.

[Sociograd]

I've been emailing all the professors I'm interested in working with. I've heard its a really good idea. I've gotten some really uplifting responses and some that make me wonder if I said something wrong. After I sent the applications, I've thanked them for staying in contact with me and that I looked forward to working together in the future. I'm just leaving it at that. I don't know if it will increase my chances anywhere, but at least somebody maybe will remember me and take a little bit more time reviewing the application.

[Sociograd]

I forgot to say too that I've heard if a professor wants to work with you, before or after reviewing your application, you can almost expect to be accepted. Apparently, your chances are best, even despite your application credentials to a certain extent, if the professor is interested in what you're doing or have done.

[lolnumbers]

I forgot to say too that I've heard if a professor wants to work with you, before or after reviewing your application, you can almost expect to be accepted. Apparently, your chances are best, even despite your application credentials to a certain extent, if the professor is interested in what you're doing or have done.

this is ultimately the ONLY thing that matters, at least if you're applying to a scientific phd program. i don't think any department in the world will reject a student that a professor both wants and has money for.

[DeeLovely79]

this is ultimately the ONLY thing that matters, at least if you're applying to a scientific phd program. i don't think any department in the world will reject a student that a professor both wants and has money for.

Not to scare anyone but this has actually happened. It was at one of the schools that I was *thinking* of applying to for a PhD in public health. I meet with a current faculty member who informed me of some the departmental politics and methodological shifts occurring. There was a student that the faculty member mentored (the student had already received her masters at said school, was working for the faculty member at said school) and offered to fund her PhD but the department rejected her application.

Moral of this story: sometimes if you don't get in it has absolutely nothing to do with you and your qualifications.

Edited December 15, 2011 by DeeLovely79