Naming faculty in the "Why Us" essay

[mangoesftw]

---

Members do not see this ad.

So I saw the thread about name dropping a student on secondaries and the advice to keep it vague. However, if there's specific faculty that I look forward to working with at the particular school because they align with my interests, can/should I name them specifically or should I keep it vague? For reference, I haven't met this particular faculty member in person so it's not like I have a relationship with them. I just am very inspired by the work they do and would be honoured to work with them.

 

[gyngyn]

So I saw the thread about name dropping a student on secondaries and the advice to keep it vague. However, if there's specific faculty that I look forward to working with at the particular school because they align with my interests, can/should I name them specifically or should I keep it vague? For reference, I haven't met this particular faculty member in person so it's not like I have a relationship with them. I just am very inspired by the work they do and would be honoured to work with them.

It will depend on things you have no way of knowing.

 

[gamache]

Write about the area of research or work that faculty member does since that is the part you're really excited about. Then you don't have to worry about someone reading your app who might have an unfavorable view of the faculty member.

 

[LizzyM]

They may be on the way out, transferring to another school, preparing for retirement, or seriously ill. In real life they might be a bully or a pompous twit, or someone who is not kind to very junior students. These are things you don't know and more likely than not can't know. For that reason, and unlike doctoral applications where you should show that you know something about researcher at the institution, it is best not to mention people by name.