Emailing POIs and getting an interesting response..?

[whyhellothere]

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Hi all,

So I've been emailing POIs for the past week or so, just to see if the professors I'm interested in are taking students for the next academic year (for Clinical Psych). I've been including a brief blurb (what interests me about their research), my CV and my unofficial transcript. So far, not many people have responded. But this one professor emailed back and suggested that we Skype at a specific date/ time :O

Is this extremely unusual?/ what is going on? I'm not trying to brag by any means- I just desperately want to get into a Clinical Psychology program (in Canada) and am a bit confused. There's no way that she would want to Skype just to say "oh sorry I'm not taking anyone" right? Do you think that she might just want to give me some advice during applications, or do you think she wants to have some sort of unofficial pre-interview? I'm going to prepare like it's a real interview (read some of her publications, get more familiar with my interests, what I can say, etc) but ... I'm at a loss.

Any help would be so so so great! Thanks a bunch in advance 🙂

 

[thewesternsky]

From your previous posts, it sounds like you have a strong CV. I'd assume this is a bit of a interview-like call. She'll likely ask you about your experiences and your interests. Have a few questions prepared about her work and her lab as well.

If she's a newer faculty member, this is especially likely.

🙂 Good luck!

 

[whyhellothere]

Thanks for your reply!
I guess I just started worrying about possible reasons for contacting me, heh. That prof is actually my first choice in terms of research match, etc and hopefully she recognized that as well? She's also a long-time tenured professor so that also threw me off a bit too.

Time to read up on her research! lol..

 

[Doctor Eliza]

At this point, I'm sure this could be only a positive sign. Don't stress.

However, I would like to throw out a bit of caution (somewhat prematurely). Don't be blinded by flattery and wooing. There was one professor that I was quite interested in that really laid it on thick. As a somewhat naive 21 y.o. I fell for it hook, line and sinker. I ended up going there which turned out to be a terrible choice and I had a fairly miserable grad school experience (and ultimately switched labs because the professor had serious issues). Remember you are interviewing them too. Have confidence in yourself.


Dr. E

 

[whyhellothere]

Oh wow! Thanks for the advice, I will definitely keep that in mind..! I wish I could have a chance to work in her lab just to feel it out and see what it's like over there..

I'm currently working in my other top choice professor's lab as a project coordinator, and have been emailing/ been on the phone with a post-doc at my next choice university (I'm going to start volunteering there next semester to get a feel for what that lab is like).

Luckily my top 4 choices are taking students this year (not sure about the others.. I've emailed but no response so far). Now to just write that darned statement...! 🙁

 

[cbt4lyfe]

Oh wow! Thanks for the advice, I will definitely keep that in mind..! I wish I could have a chance to work in her lab just to feel it out and see what it's like over there..

I'm currently working in my other top choice professor's lab as a project coordinator, and have been emailing/ been on the phone with a post-doc at my next choice university (I'm going to start volunteering there next semester to get a feel for what that lab is like).

Luckily my top 4 choices are taking students this year (not sure about the others.. I've emailed but no response so far). Now to just write that darned statement...! 🙁

I have a similar situation regarding working in one of my top choice professors lab as a project coordinator. Out of curiosity, what do you think your chances with that person are?

Hope the process goes well! Were you able to square away your LOR situation?

 

[whyhellothere]

I have a similar situation regarding working in one of my top choice professors lab as a project coordinator. Out of curiosity, what do you think your chances with that person are?

Hope the process goes well! Were you able to square away your LOR situation?

Honestly, I'm not getting my hopes up too high. I know that the professor likes me (or at least, she doesn't hate me) and I'm just working as best I can but not worrying too much about whether or not I'll get in. While it would be awesome, I know that this experience as the project coordinator (she doesn't have a lab manager) is going to be super beneficial for me as an applicant/ grad student either way.

I was going to ask the prof about letters of rec one day when one of the RAs asked about it while I was in the room. Turns out the prof has a document outlining what needs to be done to get that letter, and she turned to me and just said "I'll just send it to you too"- I mean she's known that her lab was a top choice when I interviewed for the position and that I'm applying to grad school so it wasn't too awkward. Hope that helps! 🙂