Contacting POI

[Imenol]

Hey,

I did not contact all my POI during the application process (I did contact some, especially old people and those from my 2 top programs). I thought it would not be a big deal, but I keep on reading posts stressing the importance of contacting them. Could someone clarify if this is a crucial part of the application process? Should I still write to them now?

[jrockford27]

I didn't contact any professors at any of the programs I was accepted to.  There were programs where I exchanged e-mails with professors and didn't get in.  I've witnessed people actually pay to travel to my program's campus to meet with profs in person and not be accepted.  This isn't as important as a lot of people think.  Do not lose sleep over it.  There is a very good chance that your POIs will not even be on the admissions committee, which doesn't mean you wont get in, but certainly would diminish the significance of the one-on-one connection.  If you've made the case in your statement of purpose that you're a good fit for the program, then you've done what you need to do. 

[renea]

I think if you have the time and want to ask questions, start conversations, ect- then it won't hurt you. However, I also think it won't hurt you if you don't reach out either. @jrockford27 is probably right that many POIs will not be on the admissions committees, in which case that professor will not have any influence on decisions.

The only case where it will hurt is if a program's instructions say to reach out to a certain person. I'm in rhet/comp and a good example of this is Clemson's RCID application instructions that specifically say to reach out to Victor Vitanza (their director). After speaking with a current grad student there she said it was very important to do so, as he has the strongest vote on the committee and all the other applicants will have reached out...blah blah blah. This is not a common instruction however.

Personally, I've reached out to several people at programs I'm applying to, but only really when I had a genuine question or some sort of connection. One of my professors, for example, put me in contact with an alumn who was a faculty member at a university I'm applying to. Another example would be me reaching out to faculty member at a conference I was attending. I thought, why not. I'm trying to network anyways and I can learn more about their program and put a face to the name. Plus it gives you the chance to see if you jive with the ppl you want to work with. Sometimes it worked out really well (attending a panel where I happened to sit next to the graduate director of a program) other times it was more awkward (cue: long phone calls that should have lasted 5 minutes).  

 

Overall, I think the best contacts are not because the committee remembers you, but because you gain insight and information that better informs your decision to apply and your application. 

[Glasperlenspieler]

If you've already submitted your app, don't contact them now. At this point, it would probably come across as you trying to win points, which is not what you want. I think earlier in the process it can make sense to contact people, but primarily if you have an actual question about the program or its fit for you. I tend to think professors see through it pretty quickly if you're just contacting them to increase your odds of admission.

[JustPoesieAlong]

Wanted to echo @Glasperlenspieler: I would definitely not contact after you have submitted your apps. I spoke to POIs at about half of my institutions. Since I had specific questions, the conversations seemed to go well. They also offered opportunities for me to share more about myself and my research interests. I have no idea if it will make a difference regarding my admission chances, but it gave me a good sense about the programs I'm applying to and reinforced my desire to work with those individuals.