PhD in Environmental Science

[Savingtehplanet]

Prospective PhD candidate from India. I'm in the last year of my undergrad studies here in Environmental Engineering from a top 10 college (IIT), have decent grades (8.36/10), decent GRE (332/5.5) and TOEFL (118) scores, an internship under a decently well known professor at the University of Aberdeen. Sorry if this sounds like a profile evaluation but I just wanted to ask whether I should apply to the colleges from whom I haven't gotten any reply regarding a PhD. Or should I apply regardless of that fact and then should I proceed onto contacting a guide. I found conflicting answers everywhere and it would be really nice if someone could clear the air on this and suggest how I go about this.

[GeoDUDE!]

I'm not sure how much environmental science programs require having a faculty sponser, in earth sciences it largely depends on the place you are applying. For example, my program its virtually impossible to get in without contacting your advisor, but in some programs they just take the 10 best candidates and let them decide which labs they want to go to. Some do a a little of both, which I think is the most common. 

If you think you are a good fit for the department as a whole (would work with multiple people if needed) then I would go ahead and apply. If your POI did not respond, and he/she is the only person you want to work with there, do not apply. That's what I would do, but I would also talk to professors/advisors at your school for better advise. 

[TakeruK]

The Environmental Science & Engineering program in my department will admit the top students and then you will find two different groups to work with during your first year. You do not need to contact a professor prior to applying. However, as GeoDUDE! said, if you really want to work with a specific person, it's a good idea to make sure you can contact them first. Many students in my department will contact at least one of their two first year project supervisors ahead of time but then pick their second project a few months after they arrive.