Reaching out/contacting schools - Department Chair or Director of Grad Studies?

[vitabrevis]

During the early stages of finalizing a list of schools and prior to reaching out to specific POI professors/advisors, and just for some general introduction and figuring out "fit," is it more appropriate to email the director of graduate studies (or comparable position) or a department chair? Who is best equipped/willing to speak to prospective applicants? Both? Neither? It depends? I've heard conflicting advice on this so just wanted to canvass some opinions here.

[Dr. Old Bill]

DGS. Without question.

Don't discount the value of touching base with current graduate students as well, however -- they can often give you a slightly different perspective than those on the admin side of things.

[steve3020]

I've emailed a DGS who is also my POI and received helpful advice. Interestingly this is the case with two of the schools I applied to. (Does anyone knows if it means that they are more closely engaged with the admission process?) Also I think most websites direct you to DGS if you have any admission specific enquiry. 

[AP]

DGS. Although I have never e-mailed one (unless it was a POI). 

Ditto to contacting grad students as well. I can't stress this enough. 

[jrockford27]

8 hours ago, steve3020 said:

I've emailed a DGS who is also my POI and received helpful advice. Interestingly this is the case with two of the schools I applied to. (Does anyone knows if it means that they are more closely engaged with the admission process?) Also I think most websites direct you to DGS if you have any admission specific enquiry. 

The DGS may not necessarily be on the adcom, but the DGS is definitely going to be more engaged and informed regarding current grad students, who their advisers/committees are, what they're working on, as well as important deadlines.  They may be helpful in directing you to graduate students who share your interests or who work with your POIs.

  While the chair isn't going to be totally uninformed on these things, I think we can often forget that day to day they supervise the undergrad program, staff, tenure faculty, non-tenure faculty, and other administrative stuff.  As a grad student, you may go through your program and have little interaction with the chair.

Edited January 14, 2017 by jrockford27

[TeaOverCoffee]

I agree with the DGS comments, and I would maybe be wary of timing if you are emailing now. You may get thorough responses, of course, but if you don't, I wouldn't fret; many are currently busy with application decisions. 

And I'm sure you've already heard this, but just in case: don't email the DGS questions that are already answered on the website. Faculty at my university participated in a panel for Ph.D. applicants, and our DGS stressed this point in particular. 

I wish you all the best in your application process! 

[vitabrevis]

Seems like we have a consensus (not to mention helpful tangential information), thanks everyone.

Edited January 23, 2017 by vitabrevis