need help, contacting faculty!

<p>I just learned that I need to talk to a major faculty of interest for the program I am applying. Sort of late, but I just decided on this school last week.</p>

<p>I just don't know how to go about writing the e-mail though. What should my first sentence should be? What should I ask, and what should I NOT ask? How long should it be? Do I practically give him my application package (resume, SOP, writing sample etc)? If I have more than one faculty member I'm interested in, should I contact all of them or just my first choice?</p>

<p>PLEASE HELP!</p>

<p>Don't attach things to your first e-mail. If you like you can put your cv and pdfs of your publications or writing sample on a small website, and reference the website in your e-mail. Don't ask right now whether the faculty members anticipate having room in their groups next year (too forward!). Instead, ask whether they are still continuing research on x, where x is something that you know for a fact they have published recently, and if not what new direction they'll gone off on. If you must get in touch with someone, contact all faculty members who interest you, because some will not reply.</p>

<p>Are you sure this contact is required? It sounds like you have a writing sample, so I'm guessing that you are in humanities or SS, where it's not as necessary to have a PI lined up when you arrive.</p>

<p>I am applying for art history programs, and usually they only "strongly suggest" talking to professor if applicants wish to. I've been told not to bug professors before applying, but this school just replied to me (written by the director of grad studies) that I should contact the faculty of interest. I AM applying to MA-Ph.D programs, so I wonder if not contacting faculty member would hurt my chances in other schools, too.</p>

<p>I noticed some schools do ask which faculty member I have contacted in their applications, so now I am wondering if I should start contacting all those schools.. 3 weeks before deadline.</p>

<p>Basically at this point when it's getting a little late to really establish anything with the faculty (because they won't want to have any emotional attachments for you or they might think you're a slacker) But to avoid something like this.... this is what I wrote a a faculty member just over the weekend:</p>

<p>Dear Prof Y:</p>

<p>I am a senior at ______ University with a major in ______ and a minor in _________. I have been recommended by (insert name and from where and how you know if not at ur university). I am looking to study (be a bit detailed as you can to show you have thought about this for a while that this process has already been part of your life.) I have done (highlight a couple of achievements). I have attached my CV in case you are interested.</p>

<p>I think that you could be a very good match with me with your _____ interests in the areas that I'd like to study and explore particularly ________. But I know that (name that school you want to apply to) is very competitive and I am curious to know if you will be personally taking in any new students for Fall 2008 as I would like to work with you specifically.</p>

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<p>That should do. She wrote back stating her interest and that if I was serious, I should go and visit her and meet with the faculty. Of course I wrote back regretfully that my schedule is booked for a while and would it be a problem to meet after the application deadline. She was fine with it and suggested a timeframe in January.</p>

<p>Keep it simple and straight forward- give them what they have to know NOW. But when you meet or go in further contact, make sure you do the homework (aka reading up their stuff). It's a pain... but you learn along the way :)</p>

<p>This really varies from program to program.</p>

<p>Many humanities / social science programs wish applicants to limit their contact to the DGS. Others encourage applicants to contact the PRIMARY faculty person in which the applicant is interested (not several folks). </p>

<p>Often, the best strategy is to ask the DGS about visiting the department, while stating one's strong interests in meeting with Professors A, B, and C. </p>

<p>In my program, as DGS, I set up the visits (there are a lot of logistics involved -- accommodations, finding workable dates). I then make arrangements for those appointments, and set up meetings/dinners with current grad students, etc.</p>

<p>Ticklemepink has provided you with a fine template for contacting a faculty member. I would only add that if you've already been in touch with the DGS, mention it. </p>

<p>As always, your mileage may vary.</p>