Emailing potential professors

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How important is it to email professors before applying to programs?
I hear it is very important because it shows interest. Also I have heard some professors do not look at applicants from whom they did not receive emails from.

Thoughts?

From reading posts last year, it seems like a fair number of people do contact POIs. I don't think it can hurt, assuming you don't say anything silly or inflammatory. In other words, at best it helps, at worst it doesn't matter. (That being said, I did not contact any POIs last cycle and got interviews at most of the places to which I applied, so clearly it's not "required.")

I'm definitely no expert, but from what I've heard its just a good idea to email to ask if they are taking on new students if its not posted somewhere. I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to express your undying interest in that email. I've never heard about them not looking at applications because they did not email beforehand, but I wouldn't doubt some professor somewhere might do that.

I don't think it would hurt to email your POI (unless you appear pompous, ask questions about things that are posted on their website already, etc.) so why not just do it? I'm going to when I figure out where all I'm applying.

As both posters before me have mentioned--it's not necessary, but unless you somehow put your foot in your mouth via email, it won't hurt. Also, like mewtoo said, asking if the person is accepting students this year can save you some time and aggravation in the application cycle.

I definitely emailed quite a few prospective profs when I applied to make sure they're accepting students (some websites don't say). As many of the programs require you to state your area of interest/prof you like to work with, it's pointless to apply to work w/ Prof so and so only to realize later that they're not accepting students (i.e. no funding). And in my experience, they were all pretty friendly and honest about it. Good luck!