Mentioning Professors and other questions

[GradHooting]

So, I have taken the time to contact professors from all of my prospective schools, though most of them have not responded. Some have responded with a canned answer, while others seem to have a more promising response, regarding funding.

When should I mention specific professors? Can mentioning specific professors actually *hurt* the application?

Anecdotal evidence time! My friend got into his top choice schools (the top schools in his field) without ever mentioning a single professor or lab. He did mention the topics he was interested in, however.

With most of these universities, I really have not managed to get any sort of decent correspondence with the professors.

Additionally, while my plan is to pursue a Ph.D., it does not necessarily mean that I intend to pursue a Ph.D. at that school. What should I even mention in the application, for that? Just say that I am interested in a Master's degree? Or, does my intent to pursue a Ph.D. increase the likelihood of getting into a Master's program?

I am asking because I am almost done with all of my applications, and plan on submitting them this week. I want to make sure that I have my bases covered. So far, over the last two years, I have been rejected from everywhere, so I am a bit paranoid.

[Bearcat1]

I'm not sure about mentioning the professors for your field; for mine, I mention who I want to work with and why in each of my SOPs. (Disclaimer: my field is a bit obscure, so it might not be obvious to readers who I want to work with.) If the programs you are applying to expect (or you think they will) that you will get a PhD there, then you shouldn't mention only wanted a masters. Just let them think what they want and then decide what's best for you after you get an offer.

[GradHooting]

I am applying for aerospace programs, and am contacting different professors, regarding their research. However, if they do not respond back, would it be bad for me to mention specific professors? I get the hint that, if I have not communicated with them, then maybe I should not express interest in, specifically, their activities, in the essay. Could this possibly cause eyes to roll when they read the essay? Like, somewhat disingenuous?

[iowaguy]

IMHO, I would only specifically mention professors in your SOP who have responded back to you. If you haven't tried to contact them, yet you mention their name, they might think "well, if this guy liked my work so much why hasn't he reached out to me." And, if you have tried to contact them & they haven't responded, then they probably aren't that interested... It appears to be a numbers game with professors, you reach out to a BUNCH, a certain percentage get back with you, and you find a "fit" with a select few of them. YMMV.