Will contacting professors at this point hurt/help my PhD. application?

[Lyapunov]

Hi everyone,

I'm really sorry if I'm resurrecting an old topic but I didn't find any topic like this in the last few pages so I decided to post this question.

I'm waiting for a reply from one of the universities I applied to for a PhD., and have been rejected by another one. I felt that my application was really apt for the lab I got rejected at, and feel that the professor would've at least interviewed me if he'd seen my application.( I don't know if she/he viewed my application before they rejected me) I heard from a friend that contacting the professor at this point might help in this case. But I don't want to end up spamming the professor's inbox. Will contacting the professor about this actually help? Can I get her/him to look into my application again?

Also, as an extension to this question, would it help to email the professor at the other lab ( from which I haven't heard back yet)? Or would any contact with the lab look like I'm trying to improve my chances, and touching base with the lab at this time be too risky?

Thanks!

- Lyapunov

[roguesenna]

I would say definitely DO NOT contact professors while your application is in review. Unless you already have a solid relationship with that professor (i.e. you've been emailing back and forth, have interviewed, talked in person, etc. etc.) then it will come off as annoying and desperate. Your professor might not even be able to affect the committee's decisions and it's most likely to annoy rather than help your case. Be patient.

 

In the case of the school you got rejected from, absolutely do not think that you are going to be able to get them to reverse their decision. That is a sure path to never ever getting into that school and getting a bad reputation within the community. If you are thinking about applying for the next cycle to the same school and you want to talk to the professor about how to make yourself a better candidate, that might be worth sending an email, but I'd give it a week or two so that it doesn't seem as strongly connected to your decision (or like you're trying to do the first thing, which is get the professor to convince the school to reverse the decision).

 

obviously, I'm not an expert, but that's my opinion on the matter.

[VirginianFeminist]

FWIW, I agree with roguesenna. I would also caution against contacting your POI at this point in the process. Given that we are well into this cycle, the (likely) risks outweigh the (highly unlikely) potential benefits. Contacting your POI at this point might indicate that you are desperate.

 

Unfortunately, the school that already rejected you is not going to change its decision for this cycle. Since you are still waiting to hear from other schools, it's too early to start seriously planning for next cycle. I don't recommend contacting your POI unless and until you are shut out (and I sincerely hope you are not). Even then, make sure your e-mail is a simply inquiry regarding how you can improve your application.

 

Good luck!

[7voltcrayon]

I don't think you should contact the professor about REVERSING a decision that's already made.

 

An email i received form UCLA (after submitting my application, and AFTER the submission deadline was over) actually encouraged students to contact professors:
 

 

As you may remember from previous emails, we cannot allow any updates to the application nor to the Resume/CV. Therefore, if you have any new accomplishments to report, you are encouraged to share this with faculty who may contact you. You may also choose to email the one or two faculty whose research is of interest to you. We expect admission decisions to be released in early- or mid-March.

 

Edited February 24, 2014 by 7voltcrayon

[Lyapunov]

Thanks a lot roguesenna, VirginanFeminist and 7volt.

I really appreciate the quick replies!

Yes, I can totally understand the fact that contacting the lab at this point is far too risky!

As far as the rejection is concerned, I'll be sure to contact the professor after the admissions season is over and this entire thing settles down. I'll ask for tips on improving my application, and hopefully, I'll get accepted the next time!

[bsharpe269]

I think that contacting him, describing your experience, and explaining that you are so interested in his work that you want to reapply with him next year is a wonderful idea. Then you can ask for advice on improving your applicaiton. You might even mention that you will be looking for summer internships and if he find the need for another student that you would welcome the opportunity. That could help in getting accepted next year.

 

I would NOT contact the professor at the school you have not heard from. The point in contacting is to get the information you need to know if it is worth your time to apply. I apply next year and am actively reading papers by around 20 people who could be potential advisors. I have been able to to narrow down/add more to this list by reading a ton of papers but I also want to make sure that they have the mentor style that I am looking for in a supervisor, are currently focussing on the ideas in the papers that I am most interested in, and are taking students. I dont know how I could apply without knowing things unless I just want to waste money on schools that I am not certain I would want to attend. Applying now wouldnt help you learn these things at all so it would just make it seem like you are trying to get admission.