Approaching POI at conference

[eshaw93]

Hi everyone,

 

I'm applying in the Fall 2014 and starting to make a list of POIs. I'm going to a conference next week and will be watching one of my top POIs give a talk. Ideally, I'd like to make some kind of contact with them so when I send an email in the summer asking if they will be accepting students, I can allude to the fact that we met at the conference. 

 

So my question is: How do you approach a POI after their talk? What are appropriate questions to ask, and what questions are not?  Is it too early to be doing this?

 

Thanks, I appreciate any advice/tips/suggestions! 

[novacancy]

Hi eshaw!

 

I would recommend e-mailing that POI before the conference so s/he isn't taken off guard when approached. I speak from experience: professors I had arranged to speak with at a major conference last fall were happy to chat with me after their talks, but the one I had not contacted (because I didn't know he'd be there) seemed rather inconvenienced by my presence. It wasn't like I expected to talk at length or even one-on-one, but even the simplest chit-chat seemed unwelcome. Needless to say, my desire to work with this person went out the window!

Edited February 7, 2014 by xstopfloating

[eshaw93]

Thanks for the reply! Oh gosh I'm so intimidated by this all! I think it's too late for me to email, because the conference will be on Thursday. What did you convey in the emails? I don't want to come off as too aggressive. 

[novacancy]

Hi again!

 

I guess this is where it will be a little different for you than it was for me since I had already corresponded with the two POIs. I said something along the lines of "Dear Dr. POI, I will be attending [the conference] next weekend and noticed you will be presenting. Would you be available anytime that weekend to talk [about your research, the admissions process, the department, etc.]?" I suppose you could say the same thing but also include that you're a prospective graduate student who intends to apply this fall. I sent this e-mail to two POIs, and both responded positively!

Edited February 7, 2014 by xstopfloating

[Socially Awkward]

Does this conference you are going to happen to be SPSP? I don't know of any other conference next week

 

Edit: Never mind. I found one for the International Neuropsychological Society.

Edited February 7, 2014 by Socially Awkward

[novacancy]

And don't be intimidated! You're doing a great thing by getting started with this process!

[eshaw93]

@xstopfloating Thanks!! that's super helpful. 

 

@Socially Awkward-Yep! Excited and terrified--it's my first time 

[novacancy]

No problem, and good luck! : )

[alecno]

Perhaps approach them after and ask for a copy of the relevant research paper, then branch into your interest in their program.