07/08/2024
Let’s consider the “cold email” rumors floating around LinkedIn about applying for a .
Fact: Most (but of course not all) (and other US-based) programs do NOT require you to have contacted a faculty member before you apply for a PhD or MS.
How do I know this? I’ve been on admissions committees for 15 years at 4 different U.S. institutions.
Every and even programs within that university are different. For example:
At Cornell's Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering we admit via committee, so your future advisor might not see your application until you meet them on campus!
In Biological & Environmental Engineering, individual faculty members admit a student directly to their groups, so we interview applicants in December-January.
In other programs at Cornell University, individual faculty review applications for students who indicate interest in working with them and then make a recommendation to the admissions committee.
In all these cases having some initial contact with a faculty member CAN help, especially if we have a new grant and need something with specific skill sets, but it is not necessary for admission.
Some programs don’t allow faculty to have any contact with applicants!
💡 Educate yourself about the norms in your specific field. Is it required, suggested, or not allowed?
First, read the program’s websites that interest you to see if they mention this requirement. Then ask current students about their process. Then reach out to the graduate coordinators in the programs (info is on their websites).
If you want to send a cold email, the best time to do this is between September 1 and November 15.
⌛️ Earlier than this and we’re not ready to think about graduate admissions.
⏳ Later than this and we’re concerned that with
