To Do or Not to Do: Requesting Meetings with Future PhD Mentors

[LivingOffLoans]

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For the most part, I have heard this is frowned upon. However, I believe I have found the mentor for me (based on my past work experience and future career interests), and their program is housed at my undergraduate institution, and is very local to me. I am going to do the standard 'introductory email of interest', but I was wondering others' opinions if I should request a brief meeting, and when might be a good time to do this (e.g. not in the first week of the semester). Thoughts?

*I wanted to add, a psychologist had suggested to me that I do this. Because I have typically heard otherwise, but now heard directly from a respected academic clinician/researcher to go ahead and do it, I am feeling conflicted.

 

[voyeurofthemind]

For the most part, I have heard this is frowned upon. However, I believe I have found the mentor for me (based on my past work experience and future career interests), and their program is housed at my undergraduate institution, and is very local to me. I am going to do the standard 'introductory email of interest', but I was wondering others' opinions if I should request a brief meeting, and when might be a good time to do this (e.g. not in the first week of the semester). Thoughts?

*I wanted to add, a psychologist had suggested to me that I do this. Because I have typically heard otherwise, but now heard directly from a respected academic clinician/researcher to go ahead and do it, I am feeling conflicted.

No - not a good idea. There is a time and tested method for admissions. Email them to express your interest. Send an application and if you have the requisites they are looking for they will invite you to interview. I think requesting an interview with just result in a reiteration of the general admissions process from them. At best you'll be looked as over enthusiastic at worst possible pushy and entitled. But that's just my two cents. I've never served on an admissions committee.

 

[Doctor Eliza]

The only possible exception I could think of to the "don't request a meeting rule" would be if you'd like to volunteer time in hIs/her lab this year.

Were you a psych undergrad there? As you likely know, many programs avoid accepting their own undergrads. IDK how this plays out if you didn't get your psych education at your UG school.

Best,
Dr. E

 

[LivingOffLoans]

As you likely know, many programs avoid accepting their own undergrads.

Yes, I have heard of this. My UG training was a little obscure in that I bounced around a bit, and I only completed my senior year (where I officially received the degree) at this campus. I went on to a master's program somewhere else, and recently finalized my ideal doctorate mentors - one of whom (I am really really interested in) happens to be housed at the last UG campus I was at.

I thought the advice I received was exceptional (as in untypical, not unusually good - lol). So, is my application basically screwed? It's not unheard of, right?

 

[heshmonster]

Quite the opposite of what the others are saying, I found requesting a meeting prior to applying (and having that particularly productive and intelligent meeting) helped cement my place in my current supervisor's lab. I flew out to visit friends in the city he was in, and emailed asking if he might be available to meet and talk about his research and points of contact with my own. We grabbed a coffee, and spent the afternoon exploring our many shared interests. We remained in close contact afterwards (this was in May, applied in the fall of that year), and I was accepted into the program. For me, it was about exploring in a personal way our very similar research interests, and making sure that we were a good fit for one another.

One caveat: I had already had a sustained email correspondence with my supervisor for 6 months prior to meeting him. So, don't request a meeting blind if you are to request one. My supervisor said he appreciated my fervour and dedication to the work by meeting with him in the "off season" to discuss his research, and he also spoke favourably about our intelligent and satisfying scholarly conversation. I stood out in his mind well above the other candidates who merely sent him a few cursory emails. So, it can definitely work in your favour if done correctly!

my $0.02

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Quite the opposite of what the others are saying, I found requesting a meeting prior to applying (and having that particularly productive and intelligent meeting) helped cement my place in my current supervisor's lab. I flew out to visit friends in the city he was in, and emailed asking if he might be available to meet and talk about his research and points of contact with my own. We grabbed a coffee, and spent the afternoon exploring our many shared interests. We remained in close contact afterwards (this was in May, applied in the fall of that year), and I was accepted into the program. For me, it was about exploring in a personal way our very similar research interests, and making sure that we were a good fit for one another.

One caveat: I had already had a sustained email correspondence with my supervisor for 6 months prior to meeting him. So, don't request a meeting blind if you are to request one. My supervisor said he appreciated my fervour and dedication to the work by meeting with him in the "off season" to discuss his research, and he also spoke favourably about our intelligent and satisfying scholarly conversation. I stood out in his mind well above the other candidates who merely sent him a few cursory emails. So, it can definitely work in your favour if done correctly!

my $0.02

I think this is a very important point. I'm personally of the opinion that meeting with a supervisor can go well, as I've seen it done a handful of times with my own advisor. However, it does work best if you're in the area for some other reason rather than heading there explicitly and only to meet with the POI. Additionally, as heshmonster mentioned, I'd say it's critical that you've had some type of semi-sustained correspondence with this person before you request a meeting. Also, be open to meeting with students in the POI's lab rather than directly with the POI him/herself. The POI might be busy and/or averse to meeting, but might be able to provide you with contact info for some grad students.

 

[Pragma]

I think this is a very important point. I'm personally of the opinion that meeting with a supervisor can go well, as I've seen it done a handful of times with my own advisor. However, it does work best if you're in the area for some other reason rather than heading there explicitly and only to meet with the POI. Additionally, as heshmonster mentioned, I'd say it's critical that you've had some type of semi-sustained correspondence with this person before you request a meeting. Also, be open to meeting with students in the POI's lab rather than directly with the POI him/herself. The POI might be busy and/or averse to meeting, but might be able to provide you with contact info for some grad students.

Seconded. When I was still in gard school, this was a common thing - my POI would have me meet with prospective students and take them on a tour. In some labs, grad students have a say in who gets offered, so don't make the mistake of seeming disinterested when the POI is not around.