POI - should I plan in-person visit?

[iowaguy]

Hello, I'm compiling a list of POI's for potential PhD programs in Natural Resources/Env Science. I'm wondering about the advantages of an in-person visit with these professors before I submit my application? Some are halfway across the country, and would require considerable resources of time/money in order to visit with them for 15-30 minutes... (although I could also visit the campus, talk with other grad students, etc)

How critical is it to meet face-to-face with a professor that you hope will be your future advisor, before you submit your application? (I'm looking to apply this fall). And when would be the best timing for such a visit? Summer, when they wouldn't have such a busy class/research schedule (but might be gone traveling), early in the fall semester (hopefully not too bogged down yet), or just before I apply so it's fresh on their mind and they can (hopefully) recommend me to the admissions committee...

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Iowa Guy

[ktel]

I wouldn't go out of your way to make visits before you apply. I happened to be in town before I applied so I met with a bunch of professors at my current university, and it was amazing, but I wouldn't have gone for a special separate trip. Talking over e-mail/phone/Skype should do the trick. I first contacted all my profs in November and got great responses.

[wine in coffee cups]

Totally unnecessary.

[ltodd]

Well maybe not totally unnecessary depending on some of the locations. Assuming your in Iowa, if you are applying to schools close in the midwest, visiting the campus, prospective location, and POI's can only help your application and help you get a feel for fit. If the programs are quite a distance away the advantage definitely isn't large enough to spend the money for traveling.

Completely unfamiliar with your field, but in mine (Neuroscience) every school had completely paid for interview/recruitment weekends, so I got to visit before making a decision. So this is the most common way most people feel out the "fit". This is pretty standard in the biomedical sciences, but of course your asking about pre-application submitting visits

I emailed all of my POI's during the early Fall (Aug-Sep) and I heard back from the majority of them. Some more enthusiastic than others, I would recommend doing this first and if it seems like they are interested in you then you can possibly consider an early visit, phone call, etc.

Edited March 9, 2012 by ltodd

[Hillary Emick]

If the program is nearby and it isn't a significant cost, a in-person visit can't hurt. But it's a waste of your time and money to fly out to places to talk to a POI before submitting an application. That's a better investment once you have an app in that other faculty and the adcom can review, and you can meet with those people on the visit too.

[ANDS!]

Totally unnecessary.

Cosigned. I didn't meet a single person, send a single email before "app season. . ."