For PhD applicant, will it be necessary to contact the professors in advance of admission?

[DeanHu]

Someone says it will help with the admission. I tried to contact some profs, but most of they told me to got admitted firstly....then WE CAN talk about research..is it the typical issue?

[jellyfish1]

If you e-mail a prof at least a few months before applying, ask them a question about their research/writing and connect it to your studies, I have heard it can help. But you need to e-mail them WELL before the application deadline and it should be substantive. Professors get dozens of e-mails simply asking about things easily found on the website and don't usually appreciate this type of inquiry. They also, I'm sure, get plenty of "when will you decide" and "hey, remember me?" e-mails during the decision period, and these are likely a nuisance to them. At least, that is the case in my field and I believe also in most of the social sciences. I can't say for sure about other fields, however I would be surprised if any professor was annoyed by a thoughtful question about his/her recent scholarship.

[petrouchka]

You shouldn't hestitate to contact a professor if you have a genuine question or interest in their work. From my experiences, professors will often take the time to answer questions about current research, inform you if they are looking to take a new student, and direct you to other professors you might be interested in. They might keep an eye out for your application and follow up if they are especially interested (mention them in your SOP). However, it is not necessary for admission. I have been offered interviews at the majority of my schools already, and fewer than half of the schools were places where I actually contacted the prof beforehand.

[thegirldetective]

I had a professor fight for me on an adcom after I contacted her to express interest in her research.

[DeanHu]

Helpful advices. Thank you guys. I will continue reading their papers..

[livenlearn]

I emailed the POI in may and we had several skype convos before submiting my application. It really depends on the professor.

[kb1234]

Be careful about the school. I had a nasty experience with ****** , this was after the graduate secretary encouraged me to contact the faculty. I then got a rude letter from the graduate admissions coordinator. I believe I am rejected by this school, even before I am done with the application.