Talking to Lecturers and it's effect on admission

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Explorer33
Posts: 32
Joined: Mon Oct 20, 2014 9:28 am

Talking to Lecturers and it's effect on admission

Post by Explorer33 » Tue Mar 03, 2015 5:51 am

Hi,
So I have applied for a Physics Ph.D but since it is not clear in my mind what exactly I am aiming to do ( i.e which field , not that I dont know which but there are 2-3 which I like and I am at the moment unsure of which one I will pick ) I have not been talking to the Professors. I am wondering now if this has any kind of weightage on my chances of getting in. Does any one have a clue about this. Let me know.
Thanks

vagnox92
Posts: 15
Joined: Thu Apr 24, 2014 10:57 pm

Re: Talking to Lecturers and it's effect on admission

Post by vagnox92 » Sat Mar 14, 2015 6:36 am

Look at my latest post. I describe my profile in there, and I point out that, with two exceptions, every University where I contacted professors accepted me, and every University where I didn't rejected me. There is, however, a bias, as I purposely didn't contact professors at top 10 places

blackmass
Posts: 61
Joined: Thu Jul 17, 2014 2:01 pm

Re: Talking to Lecturers and it's effect on admission

Post by blackmass » Sat Mar 14, 2015 11:07 am

I don't think talking to a professor can ever really hurt you, but I don't think it will necessarily help, either. I got rejected from places where I had reached out to professors and offers from places where I hadn't. I honestly wouldn't worry about it this late in the game. I think it's mostly helpful when you've not only contacted professors, but also have some sort of connection to them through a professor at your own institute. If there's anything I've learned, it's that this whole process is a gamble. It's nearly impossible to say what will/will not get you in. That being said, good luck Explorer33!

Catria
Posts: 354
Joined: Fri Oct 26, 2012 4:14 pm

Re: Talking to Lecturers and it's effect on admission

Post by Catria » Sat Mar 14, 2015 12:36 pm

Got rejected from at least 3 schools where I had contacted professors, one of which I even visited and met with the POIs face-to-face...



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