Emailing POI After Admission?

[Megan]

I am starting this because I've noticed that some people have sent emails to their POI following admission. Is this the standard practice? I thought perhaps I should wait and allow them to make first contact given how busy professors are, but is it a better idea to get in touch with them directly? Thanks in advance for any advice!

[rising_star]

Well, that depends. If they're busy, what makes you think they are going to spontaneously decide to email you? Also, do you have any real questions to ask or do you just want the person to see your name again?

[XXF]

I just got my first acceptance and my POI quickly emailed me right after and suggested I email/call him soon to follow up

[Megan]

I have no strong need to talk with them immediately, and certainly don't want to bother them, I have just been noticing that it seems like in many cases that is the standard practice on the part of people admitted. Some seem to receive emails and some seem to send them preemptively, so I was just wondering. And that is what makes me think they might "spontaneously decide to email me", because I have seen it happening quite a lot with people admitted in my field. I will likely have a few more specific questions once I see what all my options are, but I was just wondering more generally what other people's experiences have been. Why would I "just want them to see my name again"? I'm already accepted, this isn't a ploy for attention. I am just wondered if it was something I should already know I'm supposed to do, or just something some people sometimes do. Only not wanting to be irresponsible on my side, that's all.

[tauren]

I emailed my POI to tell her directly that I would be accepting the offer. She called me to chat right after she got the email.

[rising_star]

That depends, Megan. Were you specifically told that a certain professor would be your advisor if you enrolled? Because, if not, and you still have to identify that person then putting your name in front of various profs might not be the worst idea.

That said, I'd say whether or not the POI emails you depends more on his/her personality and level of busyness than anything else. I can think of POIs that did and POIs that didn't but none of that factored into my decision-making process.

[LLajax]

I have no strong need to talk with them immediately, and certainly don't want to bother them, I have just been noticing that it seems like in many cases that is the standard practice on the part of people admitted. Some seem to receive emails and some seem to send them preemptively, so I was just wondering. And that is what makes me think they might "spontaneously decide to email me", because I have seen it happening quite a lot with people admitted in my field. I will likely have a few more specific questions once I see what all my options are, but I was just wondering more generally what other people's experiences have been. Why would I "just want them to see my name again"? I'm already accepted, this isn't a ploy for attention. I am just wondered if it was something I should already know I'm supposed to do, or just something some people sometimes do. Only not wanting to be irresponsible on my side, that's all.

I sort of have the same question! I heard about my acceptance via the school's website, and haven't heard anything else via phone or email. Besides stil being in a state of disbelief, no one has told me anything, so I really don't know how to proceed. I know pretty much who I want to/will be working with (they only have one person is my specfic field). I met with her last October/November and haven't talked to her since. I assume she's busy, because hey, she's a normal person and a professional professor- of course she's busy! But it also makes me nervous that I haven't heard anything official besides the website (especially with all the people saying they got phone calls and emails from their POIs). My friends (who aren't at all familiar with the admissions process, but are my friends, and generally give good advice) say that I should definitely email her- but wouldn't she email me first if she wanted to hear from me? Haha, can't stop overthinking even after being accepted. Will I somehow offend her if I don't email?

[rkg2012]

Personally, I would give them a few days and then shoot them an email if you haven't heard from them. Perhaps find some questions to ask about the program or to arrange a visit. My potential advisers have contacted me quite quickly, although I had not spoken to many of them pre-application. (I don't believe in emailing without something intelligent to say, so I pretty much chickened out of emailing in the fall.)

[MashaMashaMasha]

I emailed mine as soon as I made the decision to accept the offer. I sent quick emails letting each POI know that I had just received the good news, had accepted the offer, and looked forward to seeing them at the recruitment weekend. I think it depends on the professor, how frequently he or she reads and responds to email, and what kind of relationship you've built (just a few emails? In-person meetings?) If you feel comfortable doing so, I don't think it's a problem to thank your POI for answering questions about the program or offering you guidance while you were applying.

I would, however, avoid emailing before being accepted. I considered doing this, but restrained myself, and was relieved that I hadn't jumped the gun.