I think I found better POIs... awkward...

[brandnewtothis]

Hi GradCafe,

 

I looked over the faculty again and I realized I overlooked a few people.  There are some faculty members that I now realize are much better suited to my interests than I previously realized.

 

I didn't mention them at all in my letter.

 

How can I go about approaching them after the fact, and will it cause tension and/or bad first impressions?

[eponine997]

I doubt they will care at all.  In fact, they probably recognized this themselves when they admitted you.  Keep in mind, there are people who do not contact or mention POIs in the SoPs, the department probably still identifies faculty with similar interests.  

Also, it is rare for your interests not to change in grad school.  You may find that some v. others will be better "personality matches."  Long-story-short, mentioning someone in your SoP or contacting them in advance doesn't marry you to them for the next 5-7 years, particularly in social science disciplines (it might be slightly different in hard sciences where you are often working with a specific PI in their lab).  Depending on the program, you might not spend much time with individual faculty, beyond the ones who are teaching your classes, in the first year anyway.  

Go to the admit weekend or orientation, get to know as many people as possible.  By fall, they probably won't remember your SoP.  

[brandnewtothis]

Thanks for the advice! This is very reassuring.

How important would you say the admit open house is? I have a pretty serious conflict with it, especially considering the travel involved.

Given my situation, do you think going to the open house would be critical? Or can I expect that I can make meet all the faculty and make appropriate adjustments in the fall?

[eponine997]

Importance varies depending on situation.  If you can go, definitely do it.  

If you are deciding between schools (especially schools of a similar ranking or similar fit) then it is paramount that you visit.  However, even if you 100% sure you are going to accept the offer, it's still a good idea.  You have the opportunity to get a "feel" for the town/campus/general atmosphere, you have some opportunity to visit with faculty when their main responsibility is to interact with you (in other words, they might be less accessible in the fall, logistically or socially).  It seems like that might be especially useful for you since you have multiple people who could be appropriate advisors (but also know they won't expect you to name your committee on your first day).  Also, you have a chance to meet and get to know your future classmates.  

 

As far as prioritizing visitation weekend over whatever else you've got going on, I would make it a high priority.  If you brother is getting married, then yes, be at the wedding.  But if you have a big test the following monday or something, ask your prof if you can take it thursday before you leave (etc.).  If you've already bought concert tickets for that weekend...  hope that it's not a farewell tour and go visit the school.  It really depends on your conflict, and only you can make that call.  

 

Depending on the program, if you have conflicts they will allow you to visit some other time.  Some programs say this out-right, others do not, but still allow it.  They won't think you're a horrible person for asking as long as you do so politely.