Talking to multiple profs. at same school

[LadyL]

Here's the deal: at all the schools I'm applying to, I've emailed multiple professors to see who's taking students. Two professors at one program both invited me to meet in person. I set up a meeting with Professor 1, head of the department, for a morning date. Then later prof. 2 invited me to meet so I suggested the afternoon of the same day, mentioning I'd already be on campus due to the meeting with Prof. 1.

Today Prof. 1 sends me the following email:

I received an email from [Prof. 2] mentioning that you will be meeting with her at 2 PM, and that you would be meeting with me beforehand to discuss the program. Since it sounds like your interests are more aligned with [Prof. 2], and also because [Prof. 2] can discuss the program with you, it might make more sense for you to meet with [Prof. 2]and to cancel our meeting. Let me know if you would still like to meet with me regarding the research in my lab.

Am I nuts or does it seem like he's upset that I set up this other meeting? I in no way have ever indicated that I was no longer interested in his lab, or was more interested in Prof. 2's lab.

I sent a short reply saying I was still interested in his lab and meeting with him and was he still available, and he wrote back to say yes, he is still free to meet.

Do you think he was just feeling out where my interest lies? Did I commit some sort of faux pas by not being more transparent (I thought I was by mentioning my meeting with #1 to #2)? Why is prof. #2 emailing #1 about me, isn't it weird for them to even care that much about someone who hasn't even applied yet?

I sort of hope I'm just reading too much into this - but I am really wondering what made #1 think my interest in his work had diminished. Maybe he talked about my background with #2 and it was their conclusion that I'm a better fit to work with her?

Thoughts please!

[johndiligent]

One thing that you need to take as a given is that the profs are going to be discussing the applicants with one another. A lot of people (myself included) tend to think of contacting professors as occurring in a vacuum, basically. With several of my apps, though, I've found out that the profs have been discussing me with each other virtually from the first e-mail. In fact, I've noticed profs I've contacted CC'd on replies from other profs at the same institution. So it's not weird, it's fairly normal.

And I don't think there's any reason to suspect that the prof is saying that out of malice or hurt feelings or whatever. It could well be that Prof 2 outranks 1, and thus 2 is the natural choice. Or 2 might have told 1 in no uncertain terms that he/she wants you! Or, most likely, 1 might honestly think that your interests are best aligned with 2, and think that this makes it easier for you.

[JerryLandis]

I doubt the person is angry or annoyed. A common response from the people I emailed was to encourage me to get in touch with other faculty members as well. It's unreasonable for applicants to be expected to only apply to work with one person.

[LateAntique]

The feeling I get from this is one of efficiency, not hostility. The fact that they're still available to meet means they aren't mad.

[LadyL]

Thanks everyone for the input/reassurance. With some time to digest, I realize that I was projecting other work related frustrations/paranoia onto this exchange.

[Dr._Robotnik's_Shadow]

Yeah, I think you are fine. the prof didn't seem upset at all. More like he was trying to help you out so you wouldn't have to go both places if you didn't have to. He said he was still interested in meeting with you anyways. Go visit both and good luck.

[cheesethunder]

iduno i've been told not to do this. what if they both want to work with you? at least they're aware you're both interested but you can't say you're more interested in one then the other/ equally interested. I contacted 1 prof at each school who I felt was a better fit then the 2 or 3 others i mentioned in my application.

[LadyL]

iduno i've been told not to do this. what if they both want to work with you? at least they're aware you're both interested but you can't say you're more interested in one then the other/ equally interested. I contacted 1 prof at each school who I felt was a better fit then the 2 or 3 others i mentioned in my application.

My understanding is that there are so many logistics, from who else is in the applicant pool to what prof. has funding, that it makes sense to apply to work with several professors. If both profs. want to work with me, then I don't see why that's a bad thing, or my problem. They can flip a coin for all I care, I'd be happy working with either of them. I guess I just don't think it's realistic for anyone to lay claim on me at this point. I haven't even applied yet, I could be a C- student with a 400 on the GREs for all they know . I mean, I am glad there's interest in me as a candidate, but I don't want to be involved in a departmental tug of war if I'm not even part of the department yet.

[socialpsych]

My understanding is that there are so many logistics, from who else is in the applicant pool to what prof. has funding, that it makes sense to apply to work with several professors. If both profs. want to work with me, then I don't see why that's a bad thing, or my problem. They can flip a coin for all I care, I'd be happy working with either of them. I guess I just don't think it's realistic for anyone to lay claim on me at this point. I haven't even applied yet, I could be a C- student with a 400 on the GREs for all they know . I mean, I am glad there's interest in me as a candidate, but I don't want to be involved in a departmental tug of war if I'm not even part of the department yet.

Since you are in psych, I can tell you that it varies a lot by program. In some programs, from what I've heard, you are really expected to work with just one person, and there can be tug-of-war situations if a student wants to work with multiple profs. I would think that if you are applying to such a program it would be a good idea to send a clear signal about which of the two you are more interested in working with, to show that you understand the culture of the department. On the other hand, at many other programs, students are expected to work with multiple people and an applicant whose interests fit with only one would not be viewed very well.

I strongly recommend contacting current grad students at the program in question and asking them (in an open-ended way) about this cultural variable. They will be honest with you and could potentially be very helpful. As you and others have said, there is probably nothing going on here that you should worry about, but you may as well watch out for the small chance that you have actually hit a sensitive spot.

[coyabean]

iduno i've been told not to do this. what if they both want to work with you? at least they're aware you're both interested but you can't say you're more interested in one then the other/ equally interested. I contacted 1 prof at each school who I felt was a better fit then the 2 or 3 others i mentioned in my application.

And what I've heard is that you don't want to go to a school to work with ONE person. People leave for better opportunities, because of fallouts, because of any thing. Knowing you have more than one person you could, theoretically, work with is smart. I've heard horror stories of students stranded when the one superstar they work with leaves. No one else wants them and they can't really transfer and, just a mess.

[rising_star]

Hmmm... I dunno. I'm where I am now because I came here to work with a specific professor. But, he's the kinda guy that would only leave for a higher-ranked program and always takes his grad students with him if they want to go.

[cheesethunder]

Hmmm... I dunno. I'm where I am now because I came here to work with a specific professor. But, he's the kinda guy that would only leave for a higher-ranked program and always takes his grad students with him if they want to go.

i agree. i think it depends on the program. i've been told not to talk to multiple profs at 1 school because psyc is a very apprentice based program....and usually if a prof is leaving the school there is an opportunity for grad students to follow, im not saying that happens every single time but its not an uncommon thing. Some schools i cut off my list because a specific prof wasn't taking students others i have more then 1 id be happy to work with but i only picked one to charm haha, they have a handful of qualified people who want to work with them....

[BCHistory]

And what I've heard is that you don't want to go to a school to work with ONE person. People leave for better opportunities, because of fallouts, because of any thing. Knowing you have more than one person you could, theoretically, work with is smart. I've heard horror stories of students stranded when the one superstar they work with leaves. No one else wants them and they can't really transfer and, just a mess.

I have heard the same thing, but I think it is really program-specific. In the humanities, I think it's better to have at least a few professors whose research interests overlap with your own. Professors may leave or retire, and since we'll need exam and dissertation committees, it is good to have a few professors you can turn to. A professor told me at the beginning of the application process this fall that I should optimally seek out at least two TENURED faculty members and name them in my statement. She also informed me that it is shocking how many applicants do not make even the slightest effort to contact faculty and that they will mostly be roundly rejected for admission. I expressed my concern about how the state of the economy will hurt admissions chances, and while she partially agreed, she told me that admissions committees see right through those applicants who did no research on the programs and who never contacted professors before applying.

So for humanities, I would say contact several professors. But for other fields, especially those that are more apprentice-based, one might be the best route.

[coyabean]

Hmmm... I dunno. I'm where I am now because I came here to work with a specific professor. But, he's the kinda guy that would only leave for a higher-ranked program and always takes his grad students with him if they want to go.

That's def the ideal. Some folks just aren't so kind. But there's a horror story for everything! LOL Basically do whatever you can to get in and whatever can to get out and hope God/The Universe/Your Own Ingenuity/Whatever You're Into doesn't throw something crazy in your path, no?

[cogneuroforfun]

I think it is pretty strange to think that professors are fighting each other for the right to claim an applicant, especially one whose application they have not even seen yet. For the people worrying about talking to more than one faculty in a department before you've even been interviewed or accepted: really? You'll end up in one lab eventually, but why would professors not want you to see all your options and make an informed choice as to which lab you would like to work in? If they really want you to come to their lab, they'll try to sell the entire program, school, and city to you, not get angry when you ask about related research in the department.