Do M.A. applicants contact their Professors of Interests?

[Wei Song]

Hi, guys. I'm an international student who is currently applying to several M.A. programs in linguistics for the fall of 2013. My primary research interests lie in theoretical linguistics, specifically, morphology, syntax, and psycholinguistics (I do hope to know more about neurolinguistics as well). Given my lack of relevant research experience in linguistics as well as formal course work (my undergrad major is English, and I'm taking Intro. to Linguistics at present), shall I contact the professor whose research I'm interested in after reading some of his/her papers? I'm not sure what to say. Do I just introduce myself and show my interests in his/her work? (I did mention the professors of interests in my SOPs to each program). Also, will they usually reply to these kind of e-mails?

Thanks a lot!

[ladyling]

I contacted people I was interested in working with as part of my MA application process, and it went fine. Most responded, though not everyone responded in a timeframe that was useful. I introduced myself, mentioned my interests and some of their work that was relevant and that interested me, noted that I was applying, and asked about their current projects. If you have specific questions about the program, you should include those, too, but the main point in introducing yourself by email is to open lines of communication.

[Wei Song]

I contacted people I was interested in working with as part of my MA application process, and it went fine. Most responded, though not everyone responded in a timeframe that was useful. I introduced myself, mentioned my interests and some of their work that was relevant and that interested me, noted that I was applying, and asked about their current projects. If you have specific questions about the program, you should include those, too, but the main point in introducing yourself by email is to open lines of communication.

Thanks for your timely reply first! I have contacted several profs in each program whose work I'm really interested in, but only one of them gave a reply (I guess it was a positive one), partly because her current research projects are pretty close to my interests (syntax and Chinese Linguistics). By sending profs e-mails, I just want them to be familiar with my name so that they might notice me during the application process. I don't have much background in linguistics up to now, so it's understandable that most profs are not interested in me. But it won't hurt if I just send e-mails to introduce myself and show my interests.

[ladyling]

Definitely. Good luck!