<p>I applied to a grad school in biology, and heard back for an interview. I then contacted one of the professors there, asking if he was taking grad students. He was very enthusiastic, and said that he was indeed recruiting this year, and that my research experience would be very useful in his lab. Then he wrote some blurb about the advantages of being in his lab.</p>
<p>The interview still isn't for a while, but can I take this as a positive sign? I don't think there is any special reason that would make the adcom worry, either. If you had to give the probability of me getting accepted, what would it be?</p>
<p>Sounds pretty positive to me! But I can’t give any probability, nor do I think you should worry about that until you see how the interview goes. Good luck to you though!</p>
<p>It’s a very positive sign. In general, if a professor wants you in the program, they’ll get you in, if you meet all the other admissions requirements. Nothing’s guaranteed, but I think you’ve found a good opportunity.</p>
<p>Thanks for the encouragement! I’m glad that this is indeed a good sign 
I plan to meet with this professor (and some other professors that I named in my SOP but didn’t contact) when I interview at this university, so hopefully that goes well and they’ll take me!</p>
<p>Definitely good - Prep for your interview with him, KNOW your own research and be able to explain it both concisely and in detail (depending on his cues), come in with ideas for what you could bring to his lab and you’re in business. Professors WILL fight for students they want and think will be a good fit for their lab.</p>
<p>Trying to give you some kind of numerical probability of you being admitted is meaningless. Also, we don’t know this professor. He could have sent a similar message to 3 or 4 other students but maybe he can only afford to take 2. Or maybe there’s a student who has better experiences and a higher GPA than you who simply didn’t contact him ahead of time, but who he decides he would prefer come February. Professors do get in students that they want, but it usually takes more than a connection over email for them to seriously go to bat for you.</p>
<p>Don’t read too much into this. It is a positive sign, but is by no means a sign of surety, or even that this professor is going to argue passionately for you when the time comes.</p>
<p>Prepare for your interview like you would otherwise, of course.</p>