Meeting POIs before applications

[Generis]

Hi all,

Has anyone visited a prospective program and met with POIs before applying? I had emailed a POI to further discuss his research interests and if he was talking students, and he invited me to a chat in person. I'm pretty sure this is a good sign because I sent my CV and background info, so I don't think he would offer if I looked like a waste of time. But I'm wondering if others have done similar visits, and if so, did these meetings just consist of elaborate question and answer sessions? What was your experience like?

Thanks!

[lewin]

I'd say that's unusual but if you're local, why not? I think 95% of POI's won't be interested in a pre-application meeting though so just don't raise your expectations for other places or see it as a bad sign if other profs don't do this. Read some recent papers and be prepared to talk about your past experiences, why you want to go to graduate school, and what you hope to do when you arrive.

[Munashi]

I did this once.  It was sort of like a mini-interview, so be prepared to talk about your interests/experiences.  It went well, but I did not get into that program and was not re-invited for a more formal interview... but that doesn't mean this won't be a positive thing for you.

[nuih]

I had one pre-application meeting back in September. I also emailed my CV and transcript when I first contacted him. The prof asked typical questions like tell me about yourself, what skills can you bring to the lab, etc... in return I also asked about the program and what not. I volunteer in his lab now, which is good because the things I'm doing really align with my interests, but after having more conversations with him and the lab, I don't think I'll apply under his supervision because he might retire and I don't want joint supervision, which he suggested is possible...

 

So yeah, use it to your advantage -- definitely not a waste of time!

 

I have another meeting on Monday... so good luck to both of us ><

Edited November 16, 2014 by nuih

[Generis]

Great, thanks everyone!

[Piagetsky]

Has anyone ever done this at a convention just to kind of put a face with a name?  I'm planning on going to the 2015 APA convention in Toronto.  It would be worth it just to meet one or two people.

[Tolman's Rat]

I had one last week and another coming up this week. The only two local-ish schools to which I'm applying (within a 2-hr drive)

 

He took me and his grad students out for lunch. We socialized, and the discussion gradually moved toward talking about the atmosphere of the program and finally to mutual research interests, my own work, potential projects, etc. I spent the beginning of the afternoon just chatting with his grad students, and then another hour or so in his office and touring the facilities. It felt more like he was selling me on the program than like a typical interview, though I obviously did talk some about my own experiences and skill set.

 

Similar thing coming up this week, except they want me to give a presentation on my current work to familiarize the grad students with what I'll be bringing to the table. Again, though, I'm going to be spending the day touring the facilities, chatting, and being taken for lunch! 

 

Enjoy your visit!

[VulpesZerda]

I had one last week and another coming up this week. The only two local-ish schools to which I'm applying (within a 2-hr drive)

He took me and his grad students out for lunch. We socialized, and the discussion gradually moved toward talking about the atmosphere of the program and finally to mutual research interests, my own work, potential projects, etc. I spent the beginning of the afternoon just chatting with his grad students, and then another hour or so in his office and touring the facilities. It felt more like he was selling me on the program than like a typical interview, though I obviously did talk some about my own experiences and skill set.

Similar thing coming up this week, except they want me to give a presentation on my current work to familiarize the grad students with what I'll be bringing to the table. Again, though, I'm going to be spending the day touring the facilities, chatting, and being taken for lunch!

Enjoy your visit!

That's sounds amazing! That first program sounds niiice, or at least the prof!

[Piagetsky]

That's sounds amazing! That first program sounds niiice, or at least the prof!

 

 

Right?  May I ask how you went about arranging that?  

[Dedi]

Has anyone ever done this at a convention just to kind of put a face with a name?  I'm planning on going to the 2015 APA convention in Toronto.  It would be worth it just to meet one or two people.

Oh, cool! I plan on presenting a poster there. Maybe we'll run into each other (and not know it! Haha).

[nuih]

Has anyone ever done this at a convention just to kind of put a face with a name?  I'm planning on going to the 2015 APA convention in Toronto.  It would be worth it just to meet one or two people.

I did this kinda, and unintentionally. I went to this convention in May and briefly talked to a girl about her award-winning poster. She's a MA student now, and sat in the interview I had today. She recognized me haha, so this probably makes me a bit more memorable xD.

 

I'm also going to try to attend the APA convention see you guys there (maybe).

[Tolman's Rat]

That's sounds amazing! That first program sounds niiice, or at least the prof!

Yeah the program is top-notch, which made the great visit that much sweeter. I think I'll be receiving an offer (was told "we'll almost certainly be able to make you an offer as long as your references pan out" -- and I was assured by my recommenders that I have nothing to worry about there).

 

Right?  May I ask how you went about arranging that?  

Sort of an interesting chain of events. I was at a conference last month, and the co-authors on a manuscript that I'm first author on are big in the field, one being the organizer of the conference. The other introduced me to a colleague (who is my POI for the program I'm visiting this week), who mentioned that he is beginning collaborations with the POI from the program I visited last week (UWO). When I sent out my "feeler" e-mail back in October to my UWO POI, I was sure to mention this conversation, the work I've done, etc. He asked for a CV and transcript, and then asked me if I'd like to come for a visit, lunch, etc.

 

Basically, when you know/work with the right people, and have already been conducting research directly relevant to your grad interests, the process gets much easier :-)

[PsyDGirl]

Sounds like you had the perfect experience from start to finish - that's awesome and so rare! Best of luck!!

[Generis]

I thought I'd give an update on this meeting, just in case it is helpful for everyone else!

 

In the meeting, the POI asked me what I'm all about and what I want to do. I described my research interests, experience, and it was a lot of back and forth about where we could see our work fitting in with each other's planned work. It was very smooth! I got to see some of the projects they were working on, learn about projects that are planned for the future. I learned a lot of useful information, such as how many students they already had, how much funding the school had right now to take on more students, and they even gave me advice about other programs I was applying to!

 

Overall I'm glad I made that effort to talk to them in person! Would definitely recommend it to others who are scoping out programs!

[MissData]

I met with two of my POIs last year (I am a first year graduate student). I was giving a talk at one of the schools I was planning on applying during the spring before my application season. I emailed the two faculty I was interested in working with. One emailed back and said he would not have time to attend my talk. The other said that he was teaching a class during my talk but would send one of her graduate students, and we set up a seperate meeting. The meeting was like a graduate school interview. She asked me about my background, research and course work. I'm in quant so she asked me a lot about my math background and coding experience. It went really well and we spent a lot of time talking about her approach to research, and her vision of what quantitative psychology should be contributing to the field. When I went back the following spring it was very chill, she spent much more time just trying to sell the program and the city to me. We also spent some time working on a fellowship application. I think meeting your POI early can help alleviate the stress of interview season (because it's SUPER stressful).

 

I also met one of my POIs before my interview but after I applied. He emailed me asking if I'd be attending SPSP and if we could meet before our interview, since the interview was scheduled for very late in the season. We discussed similar things and it made my second visit incredibly easy-going.