Emailing potential faculty

[lwahl]

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I feel like there are so many mixed messages about this, so I'm curious what y'all think. Do you think it's wise to email potential faculty in clinical PhD programs prior to applying? Why or why not?

 

[AcronymAllergy]

If you have a genuine question to ask (e.g., if it's unclear on their website whether they're accepting students or what their research interests are), I say go for it. But if it's just to ask a cursory question or two and mention that you're planning on applying to work with them, I'd say no; your time would probably be better spent elsewhere.

 

[singasongofjoy]

There is a 95% chance they won't remember the email. And if you don't have a very specific question that is not able to be answered by their website or review of recent publications, they'll likely view it as a waste of both their time and yours.

 

[MTLDR]

The most important question you need to ask them is whether they are accepting students that year. If they are, you could ask if you could come visit their lab or you could tell them briefly about why you would be a good fit for their lab. This is part of their job and it is to their benefit to have good students in their lab.

 

[psych.meout]

The most important question you need to ask them is whether they are accepting students that year.

You should make every effort to find this information without bothering them. If this information is available on their website or that of the clinical program, bothering them to ask about it isn't a good idea. It means that you weren't consciousness or diligent enough to search for information on your own, or you're transparently trying to insinuate yourself in their good graces.

If they are, you could ask if you could come visit their lab

Um, this is super weird and presumptuous. Don't do this.

or you could tell them briefly about why you would be a good fit for their lab.

You're already telling them this in your personal statement included in your application to their program.

This is part of their job and it is to their benefit to have good students in their lab.

This is going to vary wildly between faculty members. Some are more than happy to take the time to talk to interested applicants, but others are going to be less patient and/or just not have the time to do so.

 

[Justanothergrad]

If you have a genuine question to ask (e.g., if it's unclear on their website whether they're accepting students or what their research interests are), I say go for it. But if it's just to ask a cursory question or two and mention that you're planning on applying to work with them, I'd say no; your time would probably be better spent elsewhere.

This. There is another thread on the main page about this topic and this is the general consensus

As for if you email, dont assume I have time to tour you around. That would not be a good way to start off

 

[EmotRegulation]

Agreed with the above. I've had several emails recently of people asking me if I am taking a student, which just tells me that they haven't actually been to my website, because it's CLEARLY POSTED ON THERE. Now, I'm unlikely to remember anyone's name anyway, but some of the social psychology persuasion literature might suggest that being exposed to a name might make me recall it or think of it fondly when I see it during application season...though that isn't true if I check my email and think "Oh right, here's someone who emailed me instead of checking my website." In short, do NOT email if you don't have something substantive to ask. Sending me your CV, asking me to set up a phone meeting, asking me to read your honors thesis....don't do any of these things. Do NOT ask to come to the lab, that is not the job of a professor to show applicants around. Once you've gotten an interview, then the ball is more in your court, but you have to get to that stage first.

 

[lwahl]

@EmotRegulation, from the advice of current graduate students, I've done some of those things already but only with two profs. One has actually agreed to a phone call already, but the other hasn't responded (yet). The one who hasn't responded is my tippy top choice; is there anything I should do to remedy the situation or just hope she forgets I ever emailed her?

I think I'll plan on not emailing any other profs unless absolutely necessary.

Thanks for all of the suggestions, everyone!