Two part question: Contacting Professors and Reapplying

[chapmaco]

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Hi all,

I am new to the forums... so sorry if this has been covered a bit but I think my two-part question at least is fairly unique (even if the first part is obvious).

1. How important, really, is it to contact professors? Does it vary from program to program? I am applying to top programs (Princeton, MIT, Berkeley, etc..) and started very late, and have only just started contacting profs, but have the sense that most of them have settled on their student choices already, does that sound right, or do you think they tend to wait until reviewing applicants to really make their choices?

2. Part two.... assuming it is very important, should I even bother submitting my applications this year? Will it hurt my chances of re-applying next year following extensive early contact? Or does it basically not matter.

Thank you so much for your help with this stuff. I will do my best to find answers to the first question on my own, so if you don't want to cover it in detail no worries.

 

[psychRA]

It varies from program to program, and even within programs. My mentor did not look at applications until after deadline. It didn't matter when yours was submitted. I think that people would often contact her in advance, but I don't know how much weight that actually carried when it came down to it. As grad students, we helped narrow down the final interview invite list, and we obviously hadn't been contacted. Personally, I didn't contact a single prof, and I got into several places.

My recommendation: some professors may have already identified people they'd like to interview, and some haven't. Definitely don't let it stop you from applying.

 

[denimfan]

Hi all,

I am new to the forums... so sorry if this has been covered a bit but I think my two-part question at least is fairly unique (even if the first part is obvious).

1. How important, really, is it to contact professors? Does it vary from program to program? I am applying to top programs (Princeton, MIT, Berkeley, etc..) and started very late, and have only just started contacting profs, but have the sense that most of them have settled on their student choices already, does that sound right, or do you think they tend to wait until reviewing applicants to really make their choices?

2. Part two.... assuming it is very important, should I even bother submitting my applications this year? Will it hurt my chances of re-applying next year following extensive early contact? Or does it basically not matter.

Thank you so much for your help with this stuff. I will do my best to find answers to the first question on my own, so if you don't want to cover it in detail no worries.

I also had a question about this. More specifically, what do you guys think about developing a relationship with a POI before applications?

 

[ResearchGirlie]

Unless this is specific to your area of psych, I can't imagine that profs have already decided who they are taking before even reviewing applications. Sure, some people will have a leg up because they have some connection but that likely isn't because of a simple email sent months in advance introducing yourself.

I'd say go ahead and apply.

I'm curious what area of psych you are applying to given your interest in MIT.

 

[ResearchGirlie]

Personally, I didn't contact a single prof, and I got into several places.

Same with me. 🙂

 

[chapmaco]

Did any of you get into top programs, like Berkeley or Harvard, without contact or with late contact?

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Did any of you get into top programs, like Berkeley or Harvard, without contact or with late contact?

Keep in mind that the "top program" designation is going to vary WIDELY based on your area of intended research/practice/specialty. Well-known programs for neuropsych may have very few resources available for those wanting to focus more heavily on DBT or substance abuse, for example. And even within specialties there can be a lot of variation (e.g., a neuropsych program that's great for fMRI/imaging may focus on that at the expense of other areas).

I would imagine that at some of the more hotly-contested programs, such as UCLA, because of the general smallness of the community, POIs may have a somewhat clearer idea ahead of time whom their top candidates might be. This could be based on having worked with those individuals directly, or having known their research supervisors and received informal recommendations prior to/during the application process.

That being said, I'm almost positive that every program, every year, accepts applicants that have had limited direct contact with intended POIs. As another poster in the thread mentioned, an email or two send a few months prior to applying--while potentially helpful for all involved--probably isn't going to greatly influence the outcome one way or another.

 

[ResearchGirlie]

Did any of you get into top programs, like Berkeley or Harvard, without contact or with late contact?

Yes. But see AA's response for why 'top programs' vary tremendously.

Remember that faculty members are generally very busy, so an email introduction is likely not going to make much of a difference. If one of your recommenders knows some of the people you are applying to a call or email from them will do far more good in at least securing an interview.

 

[emily621]

I think that it's a nice thing to do, but is by no means necessary. The first two years I applied, I sent intro emails religiously, including people I had applied to the first year and didn't get interviewed/accepted by. The third year, I said screw it and didn't bother, and got the most interviews and acceptances out of all three. Like others said, professors are incredibly busy - some may take notice of emails, maybe even open up your CV and take a look, but I would imagine a majority of them don't make a connection between emails and applications.