Contacting potential supervisors

[pbutter]

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Hi everyone,

I am applying to PhD Epi programs in the states and have a few questions re: contacting potential supervisors before I do so:

1) Snail mail or email?
Which is the better option? I lurked around other forums and it seems a common story that many supervisors are inundated with work/emails that they either don't read or reply. Would snail mail work better in terms of getting the prof's attention and hopefully a response?

2) To attach a CV or not?
For email inquiries, I've read that it's not a good idea to have an attachment (e.g. spam filtered). For snail mail, I probably should send a CV? Any thoughts?

3) I'm planning to send in my application packages late Oct or, at the latest, early Nov. Setting that as a deadline, when is the best time I should make contacts with these profs? My thinking is that if too early, they might forget about me unless I follow-up every so often (which seems difficult because what would you discuss unless he/she is very interested in your current research?) and too late they'll think you're a last-minute slacker type of deal.

Any other advice, incl. what should be included in the inquiry letter content, would be much much appreciated. Thanks everyone! 🙂

 

[pbutter]

Bump.

Any thoughts?

 

[UnsunnedSnow]

Just wondering what your experiences with this were...did you receive timely responses from faculty and any comment on the best way to do this (email/snail mail)?

Hope everything worked out well for you- I'm still getting my apps together and contacting faculty at a couple schools. Will post back if I have any helpful insight from this later on!

 

[Jilly22]

I am also wondering how this went for you. I am applying to a couple PhD or DSc epi programs but have not had any significant contact with the faculty at these schools.
I realize it could only be helpful to have a faculty member interested in having you do research with them, but is it really necessary to contact faculty in advance?

 

[pbutter]

Hi Jilly22

I decided not to contact professors in the end. I guess the importance of initiating contact depends on the school, however I would imagine it to be not important if 1) you have a clearly defined research interest--doesn't have to be very specific though, but a clear direction--and 2) identify one or two potential supervisors that you would like to work with. Essentially, the point is to demonstrate that you are a good fit with the department.

Deadlines are soon! You done with applications? 🙂

 

[Jilly22]

Yes getting there with the applications but I definitely have to send out a few more soon! I was wondering though, for your personal statement, did you mention specific faculty members that you would be interested in working with or just talk about your research interests?
Hope all the applications are going well for you!

 

[UnsunnedSnow]

I ended up contacting professors at a couple programs, with really positive results. I'd only recommend doing this if you've got research experience in an area similar to them and if you can take the time to properly research their work. I will not be referencing faculty by name in my personal statement because I don't want it to seem like I'm name dropping. Also, did not send my resume or anything else with e-mails to faculty- I think a simple e-mail should be enough.