When is it okay to send a query email?

[Leafytea]

Okay, so I applied to 3 comparable PhD programs, and have heard from 2 of the 3. The third one has not made a single peep, and I'm already planning prospectives visits to the other schools over the next month.

Would it be a really bad idea to contact people from the third school, and tell them I already have offers? I mean, even if they are going to reject me, I would like to know just so that I can make a decision earlier.

Perhaps I could just email and ask when they are making their decision? It seems like some people on the forums have contacted departments and asked this question in recent weeks, so I assume I wouldn't be the first to do so.

[quadsbaby]

Okay, so I applied to 3 comparable PhD programs, and have heard from 2 of the 3. The third one has not made a single peep, and I'm already planning prospectives visits to the other schools over the next month.

Would it be a really bad idea to contact people from the third school, and tell them I already have offers? I mean, even if they are going to reject me, I would like to know just so that I can make a decision earlier.

Perhaps I could just email and ask when they are making their decision? It seems like some people on the forums have contacted departments and asked this question in recent weeks, so I assume I wouldn't be the first to do so.

I've asked departments when their visit days are. I assume they'll tell me admissions info at least two weeks before their visit day. I didn't bother asking for a decision early.

[bikefarm]

Okay, so I applied to 3 comparable PhD programs, and have heard from 2 of the 3. The third one has not made a single peep, and I'm already planning prospectives visits to the other schools over the next month.

Would it be a really bad idea to contact people from the third school, and tell them I already have offers? I mean, even if they are going to reject me, I would like to know just so that I can make a decision earlier.

Perhaps I could just email and ask when they are making their decision? It seems like some people on the forums have contacted departments and asked this question in recent weeks, so I assume I wouldn't be the first to do so.

I definitely think it's okay to ask when they expect to make a decision especially since you have two other offers -- or, you could try what I've done, which is ballpark that answer by looking at the results page. But that's not always reliable considering it can change from year to year, but still, it helps.