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Graeme Hirst's avatar

Here's another time-saving hint: Don't email me at all. Just apply for admission as per the instructions on my department's web page. Prior email to me will have absolutely no effect on how I view your application when it comes to me.

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Stevie Chancellor's avatar

This is also a very reasonable take + why all students should look at websites FIRST to see if professors are interested in emailing at all.

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Sakib Rascal's avatar

Hi, Professor! Great read. It sucks (but makes sense) that AI copypasta would snake its way into school admissions, and your outline is a great antidote.

Do you have any pointers for gaining experience (i.e. research) outside of college? My interest in attaining a CS PhD came a bit late in life, and I’m wondering if there’s still a way I could compete with those applying before graduation.

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Stevie Chancellor's avatar

For students in this position, it's helpful to explain the career trajectory (aka what you did the last few years), path to pivoting back to research (what changed your mind about coming back to research), and evidence that you know you would like research.

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Sakib Rascal's avatar

Thanks!

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shimaa Hamdy Ahmed's avatar

please professor

If I do not get any reply from the professor to whom I sent emails, can I apply for the program or not? I mean, the response from dr can help me to accept ? Is that right or not?

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Stevie Chancellor's avatar

That's up to you if you apply or not. Some professors do not respond to prospective students as a rule, whereas others are more interested in interviewing ahead of time. I'm in the middle - I rarely talk to students ahead of time, but a good email is more likely to get you noticed.

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shimaa Hamdy Ahmed's avatar

please professor

If I do not get any reply from the professor to whom I sent emails, can I apply for the program or not? I mean, the response from dr can help me to accept ? Is that right or not?

Expand full comment