Question about approaching a professor

[newtopsych]

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I am applying in 2012 or 13 to clinical psychology, and I recently found out that there is a professor whose research really matches with mine. The school where she currently teaches does not have a clinical program, but she's actually a student of a POI at another school, and I am thinking of contacting her to inquire about research opportunities with her (her current school is closer to my home). I also wanted to get her opinions on a current related research project that I'm doing. Is this appropriate? What's the best way to go about this? Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[deleted462159]

Different people have different responses, but in general I think professors respond favorably. Several things I would suggest is: 1) Speak a little about her research, so she knows you have read it (and not just sending out self-serving spam). 2) Be concise and direct. Professors are busy, so don't write an essay or pose a stream of questions. 3) This one may be especially important: Consult with your current advisor before mentioning your research. He or she may not want some information disclosed or have the research be portrayed in a certain way. And you don't want to strain your relationship with him/her.

 

[newtopsych]

3) This one may be especially important: Consult with your current advisor before mentioning your research. He or she may not want some information disclosed or have the research be portrayed in a certain way. And you don't want to strain your relationship with him/her.

Thank you, great suggestion about mentioning her research. This is a research project that i'd be doing myself in a community setting, so no need to check with anyone. Basically I would like to know if this is the kind of research that phd programs find valuable, as it would be qualitative and exploratory, not experimental. Should I ask in the first email? or later on? And also, if she has time and willing, I was hoping she could also help look at the design. Is that too much, given that she doesn't know me? Thanks