Keeping in touch with POIs

[oswic]

There are a few POIs with whom I had (brief) email exchanges during the application process. My lengthiest exchange took place with the POI from the program that admitted me. I'd like to keep in touch with the others and am wondering about protocol. I realize that faculty are contacted by numerous prospective students and I'm sure that they don't expect to hear from every student who contacted them early in the application season. Still, I feel strange having discussed research interests and their program and then not following up to tell them my status. Is it a good idea to send a brief email thanking them (again) for taking the time to correspond with me, telling them where I am going in the Fall, and that I hope to continue our dialogue sometime in the future? Hopefully our paths will cross at conferences or other similar opportunities. Is seems like an easy yes, but for some reason I am hesitant. Thanks!

[Sigaba]

@oswic I think following up with the POIs you contacted is a good idea. In addition to covering the points you outlined in your OP, you might also put in an open-ended request for tips on how to get through the first year of graduate school--including any tips for the summer before the first term.

I do think it would be a nice touch if you were to send note cards/letters via post instead of by email. (If you go this route, be sure to include your email address in your note.)

Also, if you've not done so already, please do start the process of saving every piece of correspondence. Assume that, way down the line, your personal papers are going to be of scholarly interest.

[psychgurl]

There are a few POIs with whom I had (brief) email exchanges during the application process. My lengthiest exchange took place with the POI from the program that admitted me. I'd like to keep in touch with the others and am wondering about protocol. I realize that faculty are contacted by numerous prospective students and I'm sure that they don't expect to hear from every student who contacted them early in the application season. Still, I feel strange having discussed research interests and their program and then not following up to tell them my status. Is it a good idea to send a brief email thanking them (again) for taking the time to correspond with me, telling them where I am going in the Fall, and that I hope to continue our dialogue sometime in the future? Hopefully our paths will cross at conferences or other similar opportunities. Is seems like an easy yes, but for some reason I am hesitant. Thanks!

I'm not sure...I mean, if every student who exchanged emails with POIs sent them thank you cards, they would be totally swamped. I only said "thank you for the consideration" if I interviewed with the POI. In fact, I feel like I had good email exchanges with some POIs and then got rejected without even an interview. I definitely wouldn't send those profs thank you cards (they probably don't even remember who I am). I think networking at conferences would be a better way to keep in touch with these profs. Just my opinion, though.

[Sigaba]

@psychgurl What experience do you have either in the field of history or as a graduate student when it comes to communicating with established professionals? Are you aware of the role private written correspondence has played in the growth of the profession?

[oswic]

Thank you. I will write them.

[psychgurl]

@psychgurl What experience do you have either in the field of history or as a graduate student when it comes to communicating with established professionals? Are you aware of the role private written correspondence has played in the growth of the profession?

Wow, I wasn't aware I was only allowed to respond to Psychology threads. Has anyone else noticed that GradCafe has gotten really confrontational lately?

[oseirus]

Just to throw my 2 cents in ..... I wrote to 2 POIs .... one responded & offered to keep in touch ... the other has yet to respond & I sent the email almost 3 weeks ago so it's a crap shoot I think

[virmundi]

Wow, I wasn't aware I was only allowed to respond to Psychology threads. Has anyone else noticed that GradCafe has gotten really confrontational lately?

No biggie -- but be aware that conventions differ significantly from field to field. History subfields tend to be small enough that it is important to cultivate good relationships with as many future colleagues/mentors/etc. as possible. In any event, the issue is not that you are responding to this thread, but rather that you are offering advice that is, basically, not particularly good for our field. Don't take this the wrong way, but offering bad advice is worse than offering no advice at all.

[oseirus]

Wow, I wasn't aware I was only allowed to respond to Psychology threads. Has anyone else noticed that GradCafe has gotten really confrontational lately?

if it makes you feel any better I have offered what I thought was bangup great advise but in reality could've led to some awkward moments. Please don't take anything personal on here ... try to treat it as an academic forum ... you aren't being challenged personally but rather the notion that you are presenting is what is being called into question (if that makes any sense)

[uhohlemonster]

i've written to 3 so far that I had particularly strong correspondence with. I wrote just today so no responses yet. the field i'm in is so teeny tiny that i think it is good of me to keep them updated on my decision and to say thanks. I will probably see the vast majority of these professors in israel this summer at a conference. perhaps it will make it less awkward to say hi when i've been in touch since my rejection!

[Sigaba]

Wow, I wasn't aware I was only allowed to respond to Psychology threads. Has anyone else noticed that GradCafe has gotten really confrontational lately?

How is it "confrontational" when you're asked simple questions regarding the basis for your guidance?

Does your reply represent the approach you intend to take with you to graduate school and you're asked similar questions face-to-face? Snark will only get you so far before someone takes an active interest in your sources and in your expertise.

[oseirus]

it kinda did

[Sigaba]

And I thought this thread was about developing relationships with POIs.

If some of you want to make conversations about getting through graduate school and professional development into snarkfests and/or popularity contests, that's your choice.

However, don't be too surprised if members on this BB who offer guidance based upon the mentoring and training they've received, as well as their experiences make choices of their own.

[oseirus]

And I thought this thread was about developing relationships with POIs.

If some of you want to make conversations about getting through graduate school and professional development into snarkfests and/or popularity contests, that's your choice.

However, don't be too surprised if members on this BB who offer guidance based upon the mentoring and training they've received, as well as their experiences make choices of their own.

thems was just Sigy Baby! .... thems were just jokes