Just accepted to grad school or in your first year??

Graduate School
1

<p>Hi. I'm really confused about something, and I figure that those of you who were just accepted or in your first year could best help me out.</p>

<p>I'm applying to immunology phD programs. I know that when choosing a grad school, I should base my decision mostly on "fit"--research/faculty that interests me most. I'm currently trying to do that by looking up the research at a few selected schools.</p>

<p>My question is...How do I know which faculty members are available for rotations or that are accepting phD students at all? It's impractical to email ALL of the professors who have mildy interesting research at all of the schools and ask if they are taking students. I don't want to lean towards school X because 3 faculty members' research is most interesting to me, and then find out that I can't even do my rotations in these labs once I get there. </p>

<p>I also know that I need to write specifics in my personal statement about faculty/research of interest. Once again---how do I know which ones are "up for grabs"? </p>

<p>Thanks!! :)</p>

2

<p>Well, you don’t have to email everybody whose research is mildly interesting, but it wouldn’t be crazy to email the three professors at School X whose work is most interesting to you.</p>

3

<p>You e-mail or call the subset of professors whose cv or listed research interests appear to fit your direction.</p>

<p>It’s not impractical at all; yes, it might be time-consuming and require a significant investment of effort, but that’s called research, and it’s what you’re going to be doing for the next umpteen years as a graduate student anyway :)</p>

4

<p>i came across some schools/departments that listed which prof were accepting students/ not accepting students/ on leave in their website. uchicago i think.</p>

5

<p>Also, in my limited experience, if you have a professor who you’re working particularly closely with, they will sometimes know that information about their colleagues.</p>

6

<p>Thanks for the answers…I’ll definitely email a few from each school then. Would it be too early to email professors this February or March when I won’t be sending in my application until sometime between September-November (for admission in Fall 2012)?</p>

<p>Basically, I’m just worried I’m going to screw something up from the very beginning.</p>

7

<p>Wait until the fall. Right now professors are trying to recruit people for THIS fall! :)</p>

<p>You have to e-mail. You’ll do it if you want that PhD bad enough.</p>

8

<p>“It’s impractical to email ALL of the professors who have mildy interesting research at all of the schools and ask if they are taking students.”</p>

<p>Get used to repeating the same thing over and over again. Seriously, tedium builds papers.</p>