make early contact or be patient?

[spectastic]

I got an offer at a great school, in a great location, with an advisor who does really interesting research. However, I am still waiting on like 5 other schools. I do not have any information about funding yet, but considering it's engineering, I'm assuming there's enough funding for everyone they're expecting to enroll. So part of me wants to think that the competition is over, I have the freedom to choose, and that I should carefully consider my moves. The other part of me wants to take early action and contact the advisor, to sort of secure my position within his lab, and be an early bird.

 

I want to at least email the professor, and discuss a little about his research, possibly funding, just to get my foot in the door, meanwhile waiting to see if other offers roll in. What are other people's take on this matter?

[the_sheath]

I say make contact. You have potentially 6 schools to choose from, and should have as much information about all of those places you can get to make an informed decision. After all, you're there for 4+ years of your life, so you gotta make sure it fits. Though

I would not act as if I have definitely chosen that place, as that would be heavily disingenuous. Otherwise, questions and discussion about research and funding are fair game.

[TakeruK]

If you have no deadline on the first school that responded, then just wait. Don't rush the other schools.

[the_sheath]

How would contacting the first school be rushing the other five?

[ssynny]

Totally no harm in emailing him! But as the first post said, definitely don't make it seem like you've already decided to accept. Thanking them for the offer and a simple inquiry about future goals will help to maintain good relations. Congrats on the acceptance and good luck!!

[TakeruK]

How would contacting the first school be rushing the other five?

 

Oops, thanks for pointing this out, I misread the original post. I thought the OP was asking about contacting the other schools. 

 

Yes, I agree that it would be an okay time to talk to the first school about potential projects. Probably best for everyone if you made it clear that you have not yet made a final decision. One thing you can say is "If I attend [school], what kind of projects do you have in mind for a PhD student?" etc. 

Edited February 23, 2014 by TakeruK