Should I email my prospective advisors?

[columbia09]

All 8 of my applications have been submitted in November and now I'm waiting to hear back from the schools. In the mean time, should I email my prospective advisors ? If so what should I say? I spoke to almost all of them except the ones from UT Austin and U Mass who never responded to my initial email. Also for those of you who've applied to UT Austin, VT, UW Madison, UN Lincoln, Texas A&M, Rice, and Stanford, when did you guys hear back ? 

[GeoDUDE!]

Do you have a reason for contacting your POIs ? Obviously not if you are asking this question. Just be patient unless you have a change in your application or have something important to say. 

[sjoh197]

The POI I emailed at UT Austin responded to me in less than 24 hours. The next morning I already had an email.... but I don't think that is typical of that institution. Same with Rice. I don't know about the others though. Some professors will tell you in a response to let them know if/when you apply. If this is the case for any of your POI's, then I would just send a short message letting them know just that. Otherwise, I myself wouldn't contact them. 

Edited January 19, 2015 by sjoh197

[Usmivka]

I feel a little differently. If you've had positive contact with the prospective advisor previously (not unanswered or generic email exchanges) I think it is OK to write to let them know your application is in and to leep an eye out for it, particularly as many commitees will be meeting around now. Most PIs with money get lots of admission related emails, and I think it is worthwhile to send polite reminders about your app to the profs that sounded genuinely interested in you so they know to step in during the general admissions committee meeting if needed.

[columbia09]

I feel a little differently. If you've had positive contact with the prospective advisor previously (not unanswered or generic email exchanges) I think it is OK to write to let them know your application is in and to leep an eye out for it, particularly as many commitees will be meeting around now. Most PIs with money get lots of admission related emails, and I think it is worthwhile to send polite reminders about your app to the profs that sounded genuinely interested in you so they know to step in during the general admissions committee meeting if needed.

 

Yea I agree. I emailed them a short message saying I hope all is going well, submitted my application, if you have any questions please let me know etc. 

[wwzzxx]

I feel a little differently. If you've had positive contact with the prospective advisor previously (not unanswered or generic email exchanges) I think it is OK to write to let them know your application is in and to leep an eye out for it, particularly as many commitees will be meeting around now. Most PIs with money get lots of admission related emails, and I think it is worthwhile to send polite reminders about your app to the profs that sounded genuinely interested in you so they know to step in during the general admissions committee meeting if needed.

Why not call them to say that?

[columbia09]

Why not call them to say that?

 

It's always better to email since you don't know their schedule. The only times I called was when we scheduled a phone conversation together 

[wwzzxx]

It's always better to email since you don't know their schedule. The only times I called was when we scheduled a phone conversation together 

As you know, they are too busy to reply to you, even not read the email. But calling them can make the communication better.  

[columbia09]

As you know, they are too busy to reply to you, even not read the email. But calling them can make the communication better.  

Well might just be my case but 7/8 of my POIs replied to my emails and I even had phone conversations with some of them. Again I guess it depends on the applicant and the POI 

[wwzzxx]

Well might just be my case but 7/8 of my POIs replied to my emails and I even had phone conversations with some of them. Again I guess it depends on the applicant and the POI 

I think it is also because that petroleum geology is the most popular topic in the geology department than the fundamental geology. Lots of students want to get involved in the petroleum business. That is why petroleum-related professors would receive so many inquiries each day.

[idiochromatic]

I think it is also because that petroleum geology is the most popular topic in the geology department than the fundamental geology. Lots of students want to get involved in the petroleum business. That is why petroleum-related professors would receive so many inquiries each day.

Totally depends on where you apply--that is far from universal.