<p>I have a question regarding emailing grad school professors. To be brief, I'm an undergrad engineering student w/ no research experience planning on pursuing a M.S. in engineering. I have been told countless times that it's a good idea to email the professors of the graduate schools you're applying to. Supposedly it helps w/ admissions chances, research positions, etc. However, the more I consider this, it seems to be something that's only relevant to prospective PhD students. As someone w/ no research experience who is only getting a Masters, it seems pointless to contact professors. I feel my emails would be ignored and I might do more harm than good.</p>
<p>So my question is: Would it be beneficial for me to contact professors of prospective grad schools or would my emails just be ignored? Is it common and/or expected for potential M.S. students to contact professors? </p>
<p>The overall consensus from Professors is - do not do it. In fact on many FAQ pages they will say, “Do not do it.” Why? Because, unless you have a genuine interest in creating a dialog with instructors that is not merely an attempt to curry name recognition, it is a patently transparent move and does little more than clog an instructors mailbox.</p>
<p>Of course you will find “testimonials” from individuals on these forums and elsewhere about how that single email chain that Student Y initiated with Professor X was what sealed the deal and secured admission, or how they just KNOW it was their “lack of interest. . .” (ie: lack of email messages) that sunk their admission chances. </p>
<p>My advice. Don’t bother and just apply; especially since you are going for a professional degree (masters) and have no need to proffer your research interests - since you wont be doing any.</p>
<p>ANDS!, thank you for the helpful response. Yes, in many cases if I was to email a professor it would be forced and only done for the sake of increasing my admissions chances. So, professors don’t look to kindly on emails like this? I actually know many students who are doing this. Is it really best to NOT contact them and just sit around, waiting to see if you’re admitted?</p>