<p>I have neither the time nor the money to visit all my prospective colleges before apps. go in and was wondering if there are other ways to show interest. I've considered e-mail professors in my prospective areas of studying and then mentioning them in my essay. Would that qualify?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>beware of name dropping</p>
<p>email profs and then mention them in your essay? Sounds like a good way to get on the short list -- the short list of rejects, that is.</p>
<p>Why would making connect with profesasors be bad?</p>
<p>mikemac, that was kind of rude. Justify your responses. </p>
<p>I don't think you really have to include it in your essays. PROVIDED you have had relatively informative, repeated contact with a professor or two, you can certainly mention it. Most applications have a space for "Have you consulted anyone (admissions, faculty, alumni) about our school or admissions? If so, list them." That's where you need to put it...</p>
<p>There's nothing wrong with emailing a professor IF you have a REAL question about a program that isn't already answered on the website or in the college's catalog. </p>
<p>Emailing a teacher to ask "Do you guys have a history major" is dumb and pointless. </p>
<p>On the other hand, reading the catalog and department site, you notice that there is a professor who has studied the development of plumbing in ancient Greece. You are interested in ancient Greece (do not fake this!) so you email and say "I am unable to visit campus, but I hope you will not mind answering a few brief questions about the history program. Specifically, I saw in the catalog that you have done research on the plumbing . I'm particularly interested in toilets of ancient societies and was wondering if there are opportunities for undergraduates to do independent study on such topics. If so, could you give me a few examples of recent student projects? And, could you also tell me what you think the particular strengths and weaknesses of XYZ's history department are?" That's acceptable.</p>
<p>If the essay is a short answer that asks "Why do you think College XYZ is a good fit?" or "Explain why you are interested in College XYZ" then mentioning contact via email with a particular professor is not a bad thing. However, if the essay is more general, it's probably going to look strained to name drop. </p>
<p>You also can do this: email the admissions rep for your area and say "I'm interested in ancient toilet systems. I see that professor smedley has a related interest. Would it be OK for me to email him to ask him some questions about the program and research opportunities as I will not be able to visit before applying?" Most likely, the rep will say yes, maybe even give you smedley's email address. When you send the message to smedley, cc the rep. Some might say this is not a good strategy, but I think admissions reps at most schools, especially smaller schools, want to help in this way. </p>
<p>Caveats: Ask good questions. Do not pester the faculty member - Be polite and don't push if they don't respond. Do not CC the rep except on the initial email. Do not be surprised if none of this matters or is not added to your file.</p>
<p>That was more what I meant, carolyn. I have an extensive background in Japanese and while its not my purposed major, I want to make sure the college/university in question has the resources available to help expand/retain my knowledge.</p>
<p>Sounds perfect Wolf. Go for it. There is never anything wrong with asking specific questions, and, as I said, many professors are happy to answer questions about their particular program, particularly at smaller schools. Good luck!</p>
<p>
[quote]
Specifically, I saw in the catalog that you have done research on the plumbing . I'm particularly interested in toilets of ancient societies and was wondering if there are opportunities for undergraduates to do independent study on such topics.
[/quote]
This is what keeps me up at 4:50 in the morning</p>
<p>Theoneo, LOL :)</p>
<p>I would want to know where the professor did his/her graduate work in ancient plumbing.</p>
<p>But seriously, Carolyn sums it up. Be genuine, and your genuine interest will show, in your essays, and your contacts with the school.</p>
<p>I sent you a pm, carolyn.</p>
<p>And I just replied. :)</p>
<p>some schools track interest. some don't. some will look favorably upon you if you constantly contact them, others get put off by it.</p>
<p>The schools more likely to track interest and use it as a factor in admissions decisions, according to research done by the National Association of College Counselors, are private selective colleges. The vast majority of public universities don't track interest or, even if they do, don't factor it in as a major issue in admissions.</p>
<p>Note: even at schools that do track interest, it is used as a TIP factor in admissions decisions --- in other words, it may tip your chances if you are already in the ballpark, but on its own it won't get you in if you are far outside of the school's medians.</p>
<p>Which schools track interest? Do public schools?</p>
<p>Probably not. Many publics can have applicants upwards of 20,000 applicants- a lot of students to keep tabs on.</p>
<p>warblersrule86,</p>
<p>when you say that there is a spot on the application where I can jot down who I've spoken with (alumni, profs., etc.), can I also write down relatives? Several of my cousins are Penn alumni, and I've talked to them about college, Penn, etc., and a lot of what they have told me was what initially interested me into the school, particular the programs, upkeep on good teachers, etc.</p>
<p>Why not? Anything that shows interest, I'd say. If there's not a specific space for it, there's usually extra space for any extraneous info. Also, I just looked at the Penn application, and there's a question that asks what professor would you like to do research with and why. Sound like contacting a professor would be a good thing for a Penn application!</p>