Emailing professors part II/how many schools?

[PhDhopeful]

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have any professors that you've emailed asked for your CV?
1) What does this mean?
2)is this a good/neutral/bad sign?
background story:
I emailed a professors that knows two of the professors I am doing my undergrad research with. She asked me to forward her my CV when I got a chance and directed me to a site with more in depth info on her research and told me to wish regards to my professors. Am I at a disadvantage because she knows my professors? I seem to see people getting accepted to schools that are really far away from where they are from. Where I am from there are many amazing universities within 5 hours and that is the furthest away that I am applying.

Secondly how many schools is everyone applying too...i think my number is really low I could apply to up to 9 schools but am really only interested in about 5. Is that bad?

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Asking for a CV is standard practice. It is just a way to get a better idea of what you've done, your background, etc. Just like a job asking to see your resume.

As for applying to places.....5 is probably a bit low (based on acceptance rates) After limiting my initial search to 30ish programs, I whittled it down to 15-16 possible schools, then down to 7-8 schools. I guess it depends on how likely you feel like you are to get into the schools you are looking at.

-p

 

[PhDhopeful]

Asking for a CV is standard practice. It is just a way to get a better idea of what you've done, your background, etc. Just like a job asking to see your resume.

As for applying to places.....5 is probably a bit low (based on acceptance rates) I started with maybe 15-16 schools and eventually narrowed it down from there. I think I ended up applying to 7-8 schools.

-p

were you extremely interested in going to each of these schools? I think i'll apply to about 7, even the ones I am not super excited about because I think if I get in anywhere I will be thrilled.

 

[joetro]

I only had one professor last year ask for my CV beforehand. We then had a pre-application phone interview, which I thought went well. I did not get an interview there, though.

I applied to 11 programs last year and will do 8-9 this year. Many people I know did more than 11, but that seemed a little like overkill. I'd say maybe 8-12 if I were you. I would make sure you are very interested (or at least think you are) in all the schools to which you are applying, as it doesn't really make sense to go to a school with someone whose research you don't like.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

were you extremely interested in going to each of these schools? I think i'll apply to about 7, even the ones I am not super excited about because I think if I get in anywhere I will be thrilled.

I don't think I was extremely interested in all of them, though part of that had to do with 'fit' and 'feel'. If the program fit what I was looking for academically, research-wise, opportunity, etc.....I would apply. I could always cut down ones I weren't interested in after the interview, but I didn't want to cut a school just because of location (for example).

-p

 

[psychanon]

have any professors that you've emailed asked for your CV?
1) What does this mean?
2)is this a good/neutral/bad sign?
background story:

1) It means she wants to see your CV.
2) Good/ neutral. Definitely not bad! She wouldn't have asked for your CV if she wasn't the least bit interested in you. But she may do this for everyone.

have any professors that you've emailed asked for your CV?
Am I at a disadvantage because she knows my professors?

No way! You're at at definite advantage! This is coming from a current grad student who's seen the other side of the process. Professors often mentally identify applicants as "so-and-so's student." If it's someone that she's worked with in the past, or whose research she knows is similar to hers, she'll know you're a good match for her lab. 🙂

Secondly how many schools is everyone applying too...i think my number is really low I could apply to up to 9 schools but am really only interested in about 5. Is that bad?

I'd try to apply to a few more than five...don't apply to any that are decidedly bad matches for you, but don't worry if something doesn't appear to be a perfect match for you-- you may discover on interview that it's a better match than you originally thought.

 

[Salsybabe]

None of the professors I emailed asked me for my CV. Is that a bad sign? One asked what school I went to and said that they had good students come in from my school. That was about it. I had originally planned to apply to 12 schools, but that list will be cut down to about 9 schools.

 

[psychanon]

None of the professors I emailed asked me for my CV. Is that a bad sign? One asked what school I went to and said that they had good students come in from my school. That was about it. I had originally planned to apply to 12 schools, but that list will be cut down to about 9 schools.

Seriously, don't read to much into any of this, any of you applicants out there. Contacting professors is not a standardized practice, and there's no standard response. I know you're all anxiety ridden and dying for some kind of indication of how your applications will fare, but dissecting every communique will just leave you more confused. You'll just have to patient, do your best on your applications, and save all your cortisol for the most stressful period of application season...interview invitation time. 😉

 

[psypsypsy]

Yup, I agree with psychanon. Try your best not to worry about any of this. Asking for your CV is generally a good thing because it means that they want to make sure that they look at you more closely, as opposed to the rest of the pack. That said, some professors ask everyone for a CV, most ask no one. I had 2 people who did, but neither of those professors ended up interviewing me (not the closest match at that school). However, I was interviewed by other people at the same school. So, who really knows?

 

[PhDhopeful]

Seriously, don't read to much into any of this, any of you applicants out there. Contacting professors is not a standardized practice, and there's no standard response. I know you're all anxiety ridden and dying for some kind of indication of how your applications will fare, but dissecting every communique will just leave you more confused. You'll just have to patient, do your best on your applications, and save all your cortisol for the most stressful period of application season...interview invitation time. 😉

I have decided to take you as my new mentor 😉 The wisdom you spew forth is VERY welcomed. Thanks
😀