UCSC LALS PhD

[dan_aqp]

I am a Peruvian international student applying to the LALS PhD program at UCSC. I know that UCSC does not match students with professors until well after getting accepted, and even though I have contacted a professor who has replied back, I wonder if I need to ask her to be my POI, or what other steps I need to do to establish a good connection within the program. 

Has anyone had experience with applying to the LALS program at UCSC? I know it is a fairly new program, and I wonder about what would help to get in.

Thanks!