When is it okay to..

[digits2006]

When is it okay to contact your POI about your application? If it is okay to do this, what do you say in your email? I would like to contact a few of my programs if I don't hear anything this week, but I do not know what to say.

[TMP]

It's never okay. Just sit tight like the rest of us.

[digits2006]

Some people have good luck contacting POI. I guess it just depends on the POI

[fuzzylogician]

That's before the applications are due. After the deadline, you're just setting up an awkward situation for both you and the POI.

They'll let you know when a decision is made.

[digits2006]

Gotcha. See I know this school is out of my league so I was hoping anything could help. But Oh well. I'll wait for my rejection. lol

[rising_star]

irockhard, it's one thing to express interest in a professor's research while applications are pending and quite another to email a POI to ask when admissions decisions are going to be sent out.

[katalytik]

I think connecting with them is ok if it is done without being pushy. We should really understand that they are in a tough position, and may not be able to do anything. Furthermore, we can never be sure how they think about our work etc. So having said that, I think it is fine to connect but it depends on how strong your relationship is with that person. If it is pretty superficial (meeting a couple of times), then I would be more careful and likely not get in touch. If you are in a working relationship, then I don't see anything wrong about connecting.