Contacting Professors

[August2008]

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Hi everyone. I've heard its wise to contact potential professors you'd like to work with. So I'm in the process of writing e-mails to potential supervisors, but what I'm wondering is whether I should attach my resume, academic record & personal statement to the e-mail? What have you written or included in your e-mails? Please let me know what you think, I'm a bit confused by this whole process.

 

[socialcog]

Hi everyone. I've heard its wise to contact potential professors you'd like to work with. So I'm in the process of writing e-mails to potential supervisors, but what I'm wondering is whether I should attach my resume, academic record & personal statement to the e-mail? What have you written or included in your e-mails? Please let me know what you think, I'm a bit confused by this whole process.

When I did this, beginning nearly one year ago, I sought out those whose research was well matched with what I'd hope to research in graduate study. I did attach a CV because I have some strong items on it that complimented my goals. I would advise you to do the same only if it supports your goals-otherwise do not.

With regards to attaching a personal statement...hmmm...I have never heard of such a thing. My gut tells me that is inappropriate as that is a part of your application--but I really do not know.

Some faculty have asked for my GPA and GRE scores and I have told them only when they have requested them. I have not volunteered that information.

The sole goal of the email is to search for faculty 'fit'. I tried to gear each email with that spirit.

good luck.

 

[psychwanabe]

I wouldn't send your CV in the first email. I would just mention that you don't want to overwhelm them with attachments and will be happy to send it if they desire. In your email mention the things in your CV that make you a good match for them.

...my $.02

 

[August2008]

Thanks for the replies. I wasn't sure if attaching all those documents was appropriate or not. I'll stick with just talking about research fit. Thanks guys.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

I wouldn't send your CV in the first email. I would just mention that you don't want to overwhelm them with attachments and will be happy to send it if they desire. In your email mention the things in your CV that make you a good match for them.

...my $.02

Great advice.

Also, it may take them awhile to get back to you, depending on their schedule, etc....so don't be discouraged if you don't hear right back.

-t

 

[PhDshallsee]

I didn't say anything other than I was interested in their program, talked about my research interests, which normally matched theirs, and thank them for their time.

I heard back from all but one person I emailed. Some sent really long emails which I thought was awesome!

 

[deleted176373]

Hi everyone. I've heard its wise to contact potential professors you'd like to work with. So I'm in the process of writing e-mails to potential supervisors, but what I'm wondering is whether I should attach my resume, academic record & personal statement to the e-mail? What have you written or included in your e-mails? Please let me know what you think, I'm a bit confused by this whole process.

If you are still a year out (i.e. not applying this year.) Then your best bet is to actually email and see if they are going to APA or other conventions and actually meeting them in person. I found that this really was rewarding, as one potential supervisor even helped me edit my personal statement... can you say guaranteed interview? (just about guaranteed and yes, she interviewed me.)

So my advice is have a plan to try to meet these professors prior to actually applying to the program. It will only help your chances and professional conferences are an excellent venue to do so.

Mark

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Mark brings up a great point: NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK. Anyone who has been around the forum awhile knows this is one of my things. Although academia can be different than the business world, one thing that is a constant....networking pays off. Every job I've ever gotten has been through networking.....academia can be the same way.

If you have two equally qualified candidates going for a position, but one was not only referred to you by a colleague, but you were able to spend some time with them at a conference last summer.....who would you choose?

-t

 

[BorntoRun]

I'm actually going to buck the trend here. I think contacting professors before you submit your applications is very wise. However, once you've already submitted your application, there seems to be little to gain from sending an e-mail, and I would think it could even be detrimental.

Wearing my 'imaginary professor hat,' if I receive an e-mail from a prospective advisee after the advisee has submitted his/her application but before the program has extended interviews, I am more likely to think of the e-mail as an ill-disguised bid for attention, compared to e-mails that I receive before applications are submitted (you're still trying to assess fit to decide where to apply) or once interviews/offers are extended (you're trying to assess fit so you're equipped to make your final decisions). This is particularly true if you've mentioned the professor in your personal statement, as it is likely to be passed to him/her for review (at which point he/she would see your resume/personal statement).

 

[JockNerd]

I'm actually going to buck the trend here. I think contacting professors before you submit your applications is very wise.

Not wise; essential.

 

[BorntoRun]

Not wise; essential.

Well yes, but the issue I'm identifying in this particular post is that the applicant has (I assume, given the date) already submitted her applications, which is a very different situation from contacting professors before applying.

 

[ducle7]

Hmm..maybe sending an email after you submitted the app isn't necessarily detrimental...what if you said that you are emailing the prof to express your interest in his/her work and hope that he/she will have a change to read your application.

 

[August2008]

Thanks for all the replies.

BorntoRun- I actually haven't submitted my applications yet, as most schools I'm applying to have a deadline of January 1st (I'm in Canada)

 

[BorntoRun]

Well in that case, I retract everything but the first sentence!

 

[August2008]

Once again, thanks for all the replies! I just have one more question- should I send a "thank you for your reply" e-mail?

 

[WaitingKills]

Once again, thanks for all the replies! I just have one more question- should I send a "thank you for your reply" e-mail?

Yes definitely! Shows respect and that you appreciate their effort.

I'm in Canada too. I really like that our app's are due a little later which means that we get Christmas holidays to work on them too. The majority of mine aren't due till Jan 15th.

 

[August2008]

Yes definitely! Shows respect and that you appreciate their effort.

I'm in Canada too. I really like that our app's are due a little later which means that we get Christmas holidays to work on them too. The majority of mine aren't due till Jan 15th.

Thanks!
Yea its nice that not all are due in December because its such a hectic month with exams and all. Best of luck to you!!

 

[Ilovecows]

When should I start contacting professors to see if they are taking students?
When is an appropriate time to start mailing them for an 09 start?
I am aware that right now is FAR too early, but what about June, July, Aug...or should I wait until Sept?

Thanks guys!

 

[thewesternsky]

Late summer (August) would be okay, if you're eager, but many won't know by then. I've found that October is pretty ideal-- most professors have a pretty good idea of whether they're accepting students. 🙂

 

[EquestriAnn]

If you are still a year out (i.e. not applying this year.) Then your best bet is to actually email and see if they are going to APA or other conventions and actually meeting them in person. I found that this really was rewarding, as one potential supervisor even helped me edit my personal statement... can you say guaranteed interview? (just about guaranteed and yes, she interviewed me.)

So my advice is have a plan to try to meet these professors prior to actually applying to the program. It will only help your chances and professional conferences are an excellent venue to do so.

Mark

I emailed a few people last November and they happened to be coming to my city for a huge conference, I met with 3 of them, got accepted to 2 and wait listed for 1. I kept in contact with them throughout the process and now one is going to be my advisor! It was probably the smartest thing I ever did 🙂

 

[psybee]

I emailed a few people last November and they happened to be coming to my city for a huge conference, I met with 3 of them, got accepted to 2 and wait listed for 1. I kept in contact with them throughout the process and now one is going to be my advisor! It was probably the smartest thing I ever did 🙂

totally a good idea! are you going to APA? that might be a good way to introduce yourself, etc...

 

[EquestriAnn]

totally a good idea! are you going to APA? that might be a good way to introduce yourself, etc...

Oh I forgot to add, I shouldn't take that much credit because I actually didn't even think about the conference, I just happened to send out my "Hi my name is...." e-mails about a week before they were coming and they suggested we meet up. But if you think people will be at a certain conference, definitely suggest it!

 

[deleted190534]

Am I just an odd duck or what? 😉 I've heard all the same advice (about emailing professors, networking at conferences, sending follow-up thank you's after interviews). It all sounded great, but it wasn't realistic for me. I had ZERO time (nontraditional student with family & far too over-ambitious at school). So, I did none of the above - not even the thank you's. Yet, I received 2 fully-funded offers & turned down an interview invite at another fully-funded program (all clinical PhD). I can't help but wonder if all of the above is actually necessary. Might it depend on the particular school? Or faculty member? I just felt like I should chime in to share the "other" side, so that next year's applicants know that these things aren't the end-all-be-all. Plus, a professor at my undergrad institution (experienced & well respected) said that he can't stand when people email him ahead of time; he basically said that he doesn't have time for it & that an application should be able to stand on its own 2 feet. I understand that's just one opinion, but again, I'm just putting it out there......

 

[glasscandie]

Would anyone want to post a sample e-mail they've sent to potential advisers? I'd like to start drafting an e-mail myself, but I'd love to see what others have written.

 

[thewesternsky]

Am I just an odd duck or what? 😉 I've heard all the same advice (about emailing professors, networking at conferences, sending follow-up thank you's after interviews). It all sounded great, but it wasn't realistic for me. I had ZERO time (nontraditional student with family & far too over-ambitious at school). So, I did none of the above - not even the thank you's. Yet, I received 2 fully-funded offers & turned down an interview invite at another fully-funded program (all clinical PhD). I can't help but wonder if all of the above is actually necessary. Might it depend on the particular school? Or faculty member? I just felt like I should chime in to share the "other" side, so that next year's applicants know that these things aren't the end-all-be-all. Plus, a professor at my undergrad institution (experienced & well respected) said that he can't stand when people email him ahead of time; he basically said that he doesn't have time for it & that an application should be able to stand on its own 2 feet. I understand that's just one opinion, but again, I'm just putting it out there......

I believe the reason most people send emails is to check if professors are accepting students. I'd rather not waste $50-$100 on an application fee if a professor's lab is full, he/she is retiring, or he/she has changed the entire focus of their lab in the past year. It's not necessary to email in advance, and I doubt an email is going to get your foot in the door to any appreciable extent, but I totally recommend emailing to check if they're taking students if the info is not available elsewhere (check department and faculty webpages first!).

 

[Ilovecows]

Hey guys so if there is a website that says whether profs are or are not accepting students, do you think it's nevertheless a good idea to email a prof beforehand to make your research match and interest known?
Shoot. I'm already getting so anxious ...and it's only (only . o O is still so close) April

 

[deleted190534]

Hey guys so if there is a website that says whether profs are or are not accepting students, do you think it's nevertheless a good idea to email a prof beforehand to make your research match and interest known?
Shoot. I'm already getting so anxious ...and it's only (only . o O is still so close) April

There isn't a clearinghouse type of database that says or anything. What I did was scour each program's website (the ones I was interested in, of course). Most of them said who was & wasn't taking students. However, they may not be updated from the last round of applicants yet. Two of the schools I applied to even had that information right on the application.

 

[deleted190534]

I believe the reason most people send emails is to check if professors are accepting students. I'd rather not waste $50-$100 on an application fee if a professor's lab is full, he/she is retiring, or he/she has changed the entire focus of their lab in the past year. It's not necessary to email in advance, and I doubt an email is going to get your foot in the door to any appreciable extent, but I totally recommend emailing to check if they're taking students if the info is not available elsewhere (check department and faculty webpages first!).

See, emailing to find out whether or not a faculty member is accepting students makes sense to me. I get that. (Although, I have to say that the professor I was talking about before was specifically talking about exactly that when he said he didn't want to get emails from potential applicants & didn't personally recommend that people do it.) Anyway, I think more of my shock (or feeling out in left field) comes from the whole networking aspect of emailing, attending conferences, sending thank you's, etc.

 

[thewesternsky]

Hey guys so if there is a website that says whether profs are or are not accepting students, do you think it's nevertheless a good idea to email a prof beforehand to make your research match and interest known?
Shoot. I'm already getting so anxious ...and it's only (only . o O is still so close) April

Dr. ClinPsyAdvice just answered this today:

"If you have a question that cannot be answered from the info online, only write if it is a real question. An email just to get your name on their screen is not actually very helpful to your application at all, and some people even will see it as a nuisance."

I also want to mention: If the professor has posted on their personal website that they are or are not taking students, DEFINITELY don't send anything. Messages on personal websites are often posted by professors who specifically do not want inquiries from prospective applicants (usually because they're very busy).

Also, breathe. I know it's hard to believe, but it's very early to be worrying about this stuff, and getting in/not getting in to a doctoral program is not the end of the world. It's not worth your health or your sanity. 🙂

 

[solar3000]

Dr. ClinPsyAdvice just answered this today:


Also, breathe. I know it's hard to believe, but it's very early to be worrying about this stuff, and getting in/not getting in to a doctoral program is not the end of the world. It's not worth your health or your sanity. 🙂

Easy for you to say 😉

 

[thewesternsky]

Easy for you to say 😉

LOL, yes. Because my third round of applications to doctoral programs this fall is going to be SO MUCH FUN. 😛

 

[smeevil]

I emailed a prof at a university (for a clinical psych PhD program) to see if they were accepting doctoral students but then later read in the FAQs that "you shouldn't contact an individual faculty member. You are applying to the program, not to work with a specific person."

I never got a response from that prof.

Should I re-email the prof and say something like "sorry, I later realized this isn't a mentor model program" or just let it go?

 

[thewesternsky]

I emailed a prof at a university (for a clinical psych PhD program) to see if they were accepting doctoral students but then later read in the FAQs that "you shouldn't contact an individual faculty member. You are applying to the program, not to work with a specific person."

I never got a response from that prof.

Should I re-email the prof and say something like "sorry, I later realized this isn't a mentor model program" or just let it go?

I would just let it go...