Contacting faculty at desired programs?

[monkeykat]

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Does anyone have any experience with contacting faculty at programs you are interested in? My advisor said that for the more competitive schools, I need to be writing emails, visiting, or setting up Skype sessions with faculty. That type of effort is daunting now that there are only 2 weeks left until Fall semester starts.

My question is whether this is common to do for DPT (I know it's more common for getting a PhD, where you work directly under certain faculty); secondarily, I'm wondering if people have gotten into schools *without* going this route, and just relying on stats and essays.

Understandably, the more effort, the better the outcome, but I'm wondering about how effective of a tactic it really is.

My stats are good; applying to U Washington, UCSF, U Pittsburgh, Northwestern, Pacific U, U Minnesota. My advisor wants me to add Duke and Emory to that list, but I'm not sure yet.

Hope everyone is having fun in the early stages of applications!

 

[jblil]

I think you only need to do that if your stats are borderline. I contacted a faculty member at one of my favorite schools to try to have a chat, and he declined by saying that he was too busy.

 

[trichic]

It can't hurt. I did those things with my first choice school and I had great stats. It felt great when I called to check on my application and they knew who I was. I also felt very comfortable for my interview there when I was known by my first name and was introduced to all of the professors as if I was at a social event. I got accepted that school and probably would have without doing those things. So, like I said, it can't hurt. Do what makes you feel comfortable.

 

[Azimuthal]

Hi OP.
Its really not common to do that, unless the school specifically encourages it. Why? Because professors are busy people. I would only recommend you do so if the admissions coordinator says its okay OR if you're interested in research that professor is doing. It would not hurt to explore the possibility, however.

 

[Kismet426]

Does anyone have any experience with contacting faculty at programs you are interested in? My advisor said that for the more competitive schools, I need to be writing emails, visiting, or setting up Skype sessions with faculty.

I've emailed and asked a couple of questions about some of my programs, if for no other reason than to get my name out there.

I've also visited a good amount, but this was mainly for my own benefit (I don't want to waste too much money applying, the school that was my #1 choice I'm now not even applying to after visiting..).

I can't see any of the faculty skyping though? Idk, I never heard of that.

Some of the schools you are applying to look pretty pricey though. might be worth it to visit to see if, for example, you really think going to U. Pitt is worth ~ 100,000?

 

[monkeykat]

Thanks for the replies! Sometimes these questions are more for reassurance than a real need for an answer. You all make a good point--it can't hurt! Perhaps I'm feeling a little lazy from all the essay writing right now.

Some of the schools you are applying to look pretty pricey though.

Hey, you don't see USC on there, do you? 🙂