Schools Applied to grad school should I contact potential supervisors?

AI Thread Summary
A user shared their experience applying to a PhD program, where a school acknowledged their valuable background despite not meeting the admission marks. They expressed anxiety about potential supervisors focusing solely on their grades and considered reaching out to them. The consensus among respondents is to contact individual supervisors, emphasizing that most would appreciate the initiative. Engaging with supervisors can demonstrate genuine interest and help clarify research opportunities. It's advised to read their research papers beforehand and approach them politely to make a positive impression. Overall, proactive communication is encouraged as part of the graduate school application process.
tramar
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I recently applied to some grad schools for a PhD program and I was notified by one particular school that while my marks were under their admission requirements, they recognize that I have valuable background experience which may allow me to succeed and that they would circulate my file to potential supervisors.

I'm very anxious and not sure what to do now. I don't want potential supervisors to simply look at my file and be deterred by marks alone. Would it be worthwhile to start contacting individual supervisors? I don't want to be a nuisance and afraid that if I contact too many people I'll be just that.
 
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I say contact them. I see where you are coming from but if i was an advisor I wouldn't mind having a conversation with you. Some people are pricks and will take you as a nuissance, but the chances are if they are a prick they won't pick you anyways or you don't want to be working under them. If you are an impressionable person and appracoh them politely, i see no harm that can come from it. Good luck and let me know what happens.
 
Definitely contact them. Applying at grad school level is quite serious; you should be reading research papers by your potential supervisors and asking them about projects and opportunites.
 
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