Contacting Prospective PI's

[Spectroscopy]

Hello everyone, this is my first post. I am just curious about contacting PI's beforehand;

I plan to send them my CV and SOP, along with some brief remarks about how I fit.

Is there anything else I can do? Do you have any personal experience to share on this issue? Thanks.

 

Spectroscopy

[MajorityMinority]

Please don't do that. Professors are very busy people, and I doubt they would actually take the time to read and respond to an unsolicited email like the one you've described. Instead, you can use this introduction email I wrote last year as a template for you to create your own. 

 

 

Subject: Introduction and inquiry into your research at Awesome University

 

Body:

 

Dear Dr. Awesome,

 

I am a senior chemistry major at Wonderful University in Somewhere, State. I have had the opportunity to work on ## summer research projects throughout my undergraduate career. In the summer of 1969, I worked under the direction of Dr. Cool Guy and completed research in the field of hard chemistry: the project was titled "Look at all the awesome chemistry I've done." In the summer of 1970, I worked under the direction of Dr. Super Fun and conducted research in the field of really hard chemistry: the project was titled " Look, I did some more awesome chemistry." Both projects have exposed me to the trials and tribulations of research and strengthened my resolve to complete research at the graduate level. Thus, I plan to obtain a PhD in some kind of chemistry.

 

While researching possible graduate school programs, I came across your website. I believe my research interest in some kind of chemistry with medicinal and industrial applications aligns with your developing research areas. I was quite intrigued with your research focus on blah blah and blah. Do you have any new research projects in your group that you would like me to be aware of? Will you be accepting graduate students into your laboratory next fall? Is there anything else you would like for me to know about your research group?

 

I am in the midst of completing my application to the chemistry graduate program at Awesome University, to start on my path towards earning a PhD in some kind of chemistry. I would be delighted at the opportunity to learn more about your work and, perhaps, work with you in the future. Thank you very much for your assistance. I look forward to hearing from you via email at your earliest convenience.

 

Sincerely,

Your future grad student

Edited September 16, 2013 by MajorityMinority

[GeoDUDE!]

That's even longer then I send, I send about 6 sentences and stick a 1-page version of my CV with the message. Its something along the likes of.

 

 

Hello I am X, going to X, and my current work is X. I am interested in pursuing PhD at your program, because i found the  "specific result" from "specific" paper (they wrote) interesting, because it means "some slightly meaningful insight".  Are you taking on graduate students that work on X? 

 

Thank you for your time,

 

Name.

 

 

 

I've gotten very good responses from that email. You don't need to be long, you just need to show them that A)your worth it it isn't spam and C) you think about problems that are being solved in his lab/your field.

 

 You would be surprised at the number of PhD applicants that haven't done a literature review on their POIs. 

Edited September 16, 2013 by GeoDUDE!

[Faraday]

Be sure to ask/address something specific about their research, not just generic generalized topics. I've heard professors tend to get quite a few generic emails from prospective students (especially foreign applicants) this time of year so you want to stand out from the crowd.

[Eigen]

I also wouldn't assume it's necessary to contact individual PIs before applying and visiting. 

 

It's not something that I've seen in our last few waves of applicants, and it's not something that was common my year (2009) either. 

 

If you have pertinent questions to ask, by all means contact. 

 

But just sending your CV and introducing yourself probably won't be all that beneficial, especially not to busy faculty. If you mention particular faculty in your application, I'd imagine there's a good chance they will see it when the department reviews them, anyway. 

[biochemistry professor]

I like receiving personalized email inquiries from potential applicants. It shows initiative and that the student is interested in my research. The template above is nice. No spam!

Edited September 18, 2013 by biochemistry professor

[caa55]

When would you all think is the best time to start contacting people you are interested in working with? I graduate in 2015 and want to think ahead

[YaBoyAR]

When would you all think is the best time to start contacting people you are interested in working with? I graduate in 2015 and want to think ahead

I started the summer before application season. Definitely ask if they're planning on accepting students. I was only interested in CalTech because of Robert Grubbs and during our correspondence he mentioned he had not yet decided whether or not to take on grad students as he is nearing the tail end of his career. As such, I chose not to apply. Just a little advice. Good luck!

[Thecrabman]

I never bothered to contact any of my POIs before my applications.  I dug through the group pages and recently published work of those profs I was interested in.  I made mention of my POIs and some of their projects I liked in my SOP.  If you get accepted you will most likely visit and meet them in person.

[Thecrabman]

But like YaBoyAR did, it would be a good idea to contact older profs to see if they are still accepting grad students.  Though many group pages will say if they are accepting or not.