POI

[Imaginary]

Should I try to keep contact with a POI especially when she s at a university minutes away from the one where I was accepted and have decided to attend? If so how? I don't want to offend anyone or seem presumptuous.

[ProfLorax]

Staying in contact with a professor whose interests align with yours is not offensive or presumptuous-- it's smart networking! You'll do this a lot as a graduate student at conferences. 

[Alex Stinson]

Amen to proflorax's points. I think one of the reasons that I got into the wait list for Minnesota, was because I actively reached out to several people there at conferences and whatnot. Academic research,  good peer reviews and opportunities to be involved in collaborative projects all rely on knowing people in the fields that you are interested in. If someone is very much interested in your topic, then don't drop that connection. Moreover, some PhD programs allow 1 of the dissertation committee members to be out of university, which is something that helps bring someone deep in your research topic to defend your choices within critical fields. Also, when it gets to job applications, you might need recommendations from people outside your university (most people do).

[rdsull89]

A huge yes! I was in a similar situation, and I've taken classes with/still work a ton with that professor, even though I don't go to that school. It's always a fantastic resource to have.