<p>I'm applying for biomedical science programs at very competitive schools this Fall, and I'm wondering if it's important or even recommended that applicants contact professors before applying. I've contacted a couple of profs via email to express interest in their work and ask if they are taking students next year. The brief responses I've gotten are generally saying that yes, they are taking rotation students and possibly students for thesis work, and to contact them again if I am accepted. Various sources I've looked at have recommended contacting profs, but it seems to me that a prof wouldn't want to spend time on an applicant who may not even be accepted, especially if the school has a rotation system (as opposed to applicants applying directly to a supervsor). Any thoughts on this? What have your experiences been, and does anyone have any tips for how to more effectively contact profs?</p>
<p>Some programs encourage applicant/professor contact while others don’t. If you see on the application a spot for “professors you have contacted at X,” then you can be assured that it’s expected. Other than that one clue, you won’t know.</p>
<p>Your contact email should go beyond “are you accepting students for rotation?” and more into the realm of their research. You say that you are an applicant with an interest in Y and then in a sentence or two explain the research you’ve already done. Then say that you’re interested learning more about his/her research in (insert specialty here). Ask one or two intelligent questions about the work. Or say that you’re interested in hearing about the latest direction of his research. Note that this takes a lot of work on your part since you cannot ask anything that can be found on the web site and yet you must also be somewhat familiar with the scientific literature in the subfield and with what the professor has done in the past. You’ll also have to be adept in reading into the reply email as to whether you should continue the email correspondence or merely reply with a “thank you” email.</p>
<p>If you don’t receive a reply, don’t read into it. Some professors don’t want to invest themselves in students who aren’t yet part of the program. Others simply forget to respond to a portion of their email, especially if it’s not urgent. Also keep in mind that an enthusiastic response from a PI may not have any bearing on your application since that PI may not be on the graduate admissions committee and may not pass along his interest in you. </p>
<p>In the end, sending email won’t hurt you unless:</p>
<ol>
<li>You ask for an evaluation of your chances.</li>
<li>You ask questions that can be readily found either on the program’s or on the professor’s web site.</li>
<li>You come across as abrasive, pushy, or otherwise unprofessional.</li>
</ol>