Is it too late to contact POI?

[natfilm]

Hey Everyone, 

 

I am international student applying to Clinical PhD programs and didn't realize that there is a strict schedule for contacting profs. Will it be too late to contact them now? Does it look desperate since it is too close to the deadline. I assumed that since applications are only reviewed late December/ early Jan. that sending out an email in Oct. is ok. 

Also reading here a lot that POI's only reply after several weeks, even months. 

 

Another question I have is that some programs mention specifically that it is unnecessary to contact faculty and that applications are reviewed by everyone - would it be rude to send a POI an email in this case? 

 

Any advice here will be extremely helpful!

 

Thanks!

 

 

[PsychGirl1]

It's not too late, there's not a "strict schedule". But you don't want to waste time on an application (and cost of sending GRE scores, etc.) if they're not taking students, so email ASAP.

 

If a program or a faculty member specifically says it's not necessary/preferred to email faculty, then I wouldn't.

[natfilm]

Thanks so much!