Grad school application question?

Question

So I'm thinking of applying to some graduate schools and I was wondering what the best way to contact the director of admissions or someone at the school of my choice? I was told by a professor that I should definitely do this before applying so I can get more information about the program and possibly meet 1 or 2 professors who teach there.
So my Q is, what is the correct/most common way that a prospective undergrad student is to contact and meet up with the grad school they want to apply to?
Thank you!

Answer 1

There are two places to contact at each university to which you are interested in applying.

First, the Graduate School of each university. This will be the place to get application information, and answers to questions about financial support, etc.

Second, you should contact the Director of Graduate Studies in each DEPARTMENT to which you are applying. This person can answer questions about the way their programs work, how TA or RAships are awarded, what qualifications applicants should have, etc.

The Departmental DGS is the person that can set up on-campus appointments to meet with professors, etc.

Contact the Graduate School first. Then go to the DGS for your more specific questions. Always be sure to look at the departmental websites for each program BEFORE contacting the DGS, so you don't make the mistake of asking them questions that are answered on their department's website.

Best wishes to you!

Answer 2

Go to the school's website. Any school worth applying to will have contact information at least for someone in the department you are looking to study in. Then you should call, e-mail or whatever you choose to get in touch. Or at least that's what I'd do.

Answer 3

Research the program you are interested in on the internet. Identify a few faculty members whose research or publishished works interest you. Then email them saying you are interested in their work and ask SPECIFIC, related questions (intelligent ones, hopefully).

Also, tell them a little about yourself - your background in the field and how it relates to their research (or how it prepares you for research in his/her field) and perhaps ask if they will be taking any grad students in the semester you are applying to if you want to know.

If it is about the PROGRAM itself and the admissions process you are more interested in, contact the admissions staff/coordinator. Otherwise, go straight for the faculty. Good luck.