Following Up with Potential PhD advisor after Applying?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the appropriateness and strategy of following up with a potential PhD advisor after submitting a graduate school application. Participants explore the nuances of communication in academic settings, including the timing and content of follow-up emails, and the implications of such interactions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that following up could be a friendly gesture to inform the professor of the completed application.
  • Others question the necessity of a follow-up, arguing that the department likely already has the application and that unsolicited inquiries may come off as pestering.
  • A few participants propose that if a follow-up is to occur, it should include specific questions or comments about the professor's recent work to demonstrate genuine interest.
  • Some express that maintaining communication could be beneficial, emphasizing the importance of staying engaged without being overly intrusive.
  • One participant suggests framing the follow-up in a way that assumes the application is in process, which may reduce the perception of being a nuisance.
  • Another participant mentions incorporating ongoing discussions about research papers as a natural segue to mention the application.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether a follow-up is necessary or beneficial. There are competing views on the appropriateness of such communication, with some advocating for it and others cautioning against it.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying degrees of familiarity with the application process and cultural expectations regarding communication in academia, which may influence their perspectives.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals applying to graduate programs, particularly in STEM fields, and those seeking guidance on professional communication with potential advisors.

ams
Hi everyone,

I recently finished applying to a university for grad school. Previously, I had contacted a professor with whom I wanted to work with, and it seemed they were also interested in taking me as a PhD student. Ideally, would one follow up (by email) with the professor once they've completed application procedures, or would they leave it at that and wait for further notice from the university? (I don't know how it works in general, so asking here).

Thanks in advance
 
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What is the point of this followup?
 
ams said:
(I don't know how it works in general, so asking here)
What country are you in? What country is the university in?

So you have a Bachelor's degree in Physics, and are heading to grad school with the goal of getting your PhD in Physics, right? Does the work that this professor is doing fit your interests for graduate school?
 
Vanadium 50 said:
What is the point of this followup?

Not much actually. Just to let them know I've applied... A friendly gesture?

berkeman said:
What country are you in? What country is the university in?

So you have a Bachelor's degree in Physics, and are heading to grad school with the goal of getting your PhD in Physics, right? Does the work that this professor is doing fit your interests for graduate school?
I have a bachelor's from India, and I'm trying to get into grad school in the US. The professor's work matches perfectly with what I want to do as a PhD student, and we've talked about research interests/possible research projects I could work on once I get started.
 
ams said:
ust to let them know I've applied.

But doesn't his department already have your application?
 
ams said:
Hi everyone,

I recently finished applying to a university for grad school. Previously, I had contacted a professor with whom I wanted to work with, and it seemed they were also interested in taking me as a PhD student. Ideally, would one follow up (by email) with the professor once they've completed application procedures, or would they leave it at that and wait for further notice from the university? (I don't know how it works in general, so asking here).

Thanks in advance
For something as important as this I would definitely keep my finger on the pulse and keep channels of communication open.

It's risky to sit back and just assume the wheels are in motion.

Obviously you don't want to make a nuisance of yourself, but keeping in touch in the right way is a key people skill. It could make all the difference.
 
ams said:
Ideally, would one follow up (by email) with the professor once they've completed application procedures, or would they leave it at that and wait for further notice from the university?

In most cases follow-up is unnecessary unless you have some specific questions.
 
PeroK said:
It's risky to sit back and just assume the wheels are in motion.

Do you really think they got his application and the wheels are not in motion? It's not like the university has never had graduate applications before.

PeroK said:
Obviously you don't want to make a nuisance of yourself

"I just sent you my application? Didja get it?" sounds like one to me. If there are no specific aims, I don't see the need to pester people. Maybe it shows enthusiasm, but it also shows a lack of patience.
 
Vanadium 50 said:
Do you really think they got his application and the wheels are not in motion? It's not like the university has never had graduate applications before.
"I just sent you my application? Didja get it?" sounds like one to me. If there are no specific aims, I don't see the need to pester people. Maybe it shows enthusiasm, but it also shows a lack of patience.
In my experience, patience may be a virtue, but there are no rewards for being patient.

I've worked with a lot of good project managers and they would always keep on top of something like this.
 
  • #10
"I just sent you my application? Didja get it? Didja?" sounds pesty to me. The odds of the department forgetting about the application are low, so as a risk-reward question, I wouldn't open communications until I had something worth saying.
 
  • #11
ams said:
The professor's work matches perfectly with what I want to do as a PhD student, and we've talked about research interests/possible research projects I could work on once I get started.
Vanadium 50 said:
I wouldn't open communications until I had something worth saying.
I think I would use the angle of your interest in his research areas. Something like "I enjoyed communicating with you about possible research opportunities, and just wanted to follow up to let you know that I've completed the application process." And if the prof has done something recently (published a new paper, etc.), you could read through it and add a comment about that work. Low-key and short, but emphasizing that you are interested in their work, and you have done your part by submitting the application.
 
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  • #12
berkeman said:
I think I would use the angle of your interest in his research areas. Something like "I enjoyed communicating with you about possible research opportunities, and just wanted to follow up to let you know that I've completed the application process." And if the prof has done something recently (published a new paper, etc.), you could read through it and add a comment about that work. Low-key and short, but emphasizing that you are interested in their work, and you have done your part by submitting the application.

This is perfect. You don't want to go quiet and run the risk of being forgotten (we all know how busy professors are), but you also don't want to do what Vanadium 50 is suggesting (didja get it).
By putting in that bit of effort to show more interests in the PHD advisors work, you are making the email authentic and under the guise of usefulness.

Just don't write an essay in your email to him/her. Make it concise
 
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  • #13
Thanks everyone. Of course, I know the admissions committee has received my application, and I don't want to seem like a nuisance, so I'll make sure to write a subtle follow-up email.
 
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  • #14
Why not ask a question that assumes things are in motion and have them correct you otherwise? That way you don't come off as much of nuisance. Say, you ask if your research will start right away or if you will need something for your next ( expected by you) semester?
 
  • #15
Well, we have been discussing a few papers, so I'll just add a sentence about my application at the end of the discussion email.
 

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