Contacting Seconday POI? After the deadline?

[jellyfish1]

Hello!

   At one of the schools I'm applying to, I've run into a bit of a complicated situation and I'm not sure how to proceed. I'll try to be as clear as possible without revealing names etc. I first emailed POI A, who I really wanted to work with. He said he may not be taking students, but is not sure and was very interested in my proposed research. He suggested I consider contacting some other professors in the Dept, particularly B, C, and D.  I looked up these 3 and found that B and C resonated with my research interests, particularly POI B. I e-mailed POI B and she was incredibly enthusiastic about my research.

In the meantime, I also e-mailed another professor (we'll call her E) with a question about a related program she runs, (she is in the dept I'm applying to, but not my subfield). I mentioned that I had already spoken with A and B. She was also enthusiastic and strongly suggested I contact professor C. Specifically she said I should "get to know him, both through his work and via e-mail." However, POI E took a while to respond, and so didn't respond until just before the application deadline, at which point I was really busy with apps.  I said I would contact professor C in my response, but I still haven't. Is it too late? I just don't feel like I'm familiar enough with his work to start an e-mail about it. I have read some of it though and I mentioned him in my SoP. Will it look bad if I don't e-mail him, since 2 different colleagues of his told me to? I've already e-mailed THREE PEOPLE at this school! What would y'all do? Thanks!

[VioletAyame]

I would still email him and said his works and research were recommended to me by his colleagues (Prof. A & E), sorry I couldn't contact him sooner but I was swamped with apps deadlines. I hope we can talk more in depth about research interests etc. I know there were concerns about it looking bad to contact POI after app submission mentioned around here, but in your situation, you did research and talk to the department beforehand. You just didn't have time to get to this particular POI yet, and his colleagues knew about your previous contact, so I wouldn't worry about that. I would make sure to have adequate knowledge of his work prior to emailing him though.

[Loric]

While I don't think contacting him would look bad at this point, since you were advised to do so.. I don't think it will serve much purpose. You cant change your app to discuss his work and how it's something you're interested in. The time to take action was prior to submitting the app.. to garner advice on how to tweak your app to fit the POI's interests which coincide with yours. Now.. you'll know some cool info about someone you may or may not be working with.. ever?

 

I don't see the point.

[Canis]

It's a great idea to continue conversations with POIs as long as the conversation has substance. Engage with them out of intellectual curiosity, look at their writing - talk about your interests and projects.

 

When the time comes for your app to be reviewed they will ask to look at it, they will give the AdCom their thoughts on you. It makes no difference if you've listed them on the app or not - everyone you talk to in the program can influence the outcome.

[jellyfish1]

Thanks!  @Loric, I actually did mention his work in my SoP and discuss how it related to my research interests, so I'm good on that point! 

This school is a really top contender for me and because POIs A, B, and E sent me long e-mail responses and seemed really excited about my research, I think I have at least a decent shot of getting in. My intent, therefore is twofold: First, I feel that I should get to know this POI to see if he's someone I want to work with in the long term, and secondly, since they haven't reviewed applications yet, this could potentially show further interest in the department and improve my chances of admission.

I guess I'll reread some of his work, form a question about it that relates to my own work, and introduce myself that way. Wherever I end up going (if I get in anywhere- always uncertain!), I will undoubtedly refer to his work, and so having a conversation about it can only be a positive for me. Thanks so much, all, for your helpful advice!

[Loric]

I'll just remind you that it's Christmas Eve and any email talking about academia is likely going to be met with little cheer if received today, tomorrow, etc..

[Canis]

Not to be contrarian - but I actually got a few emails from POIs today - this is the first time they've had a chance to go through their email... So, holidays aren't so bad - we all tend to catch up on things over the holidays. And not all profs are celebrating x-mas.