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3 years ago in PhD Admission Interview By Deepa S

Should I contact potential supervisors before or after a successful PhD admission interview?

I have a university interview scheduled, but I haven't directly spoken to the professor whose work aligns with mine. Is it too late to reach out now? Will it seem opportunistic, or is it a necessary step to show initiative?

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By Mohit Answered 11 months ago

It's better late than never, but the approach matters. Email them now, before the interview. Frame it as a "notification of application" rather than a direct ask. Write a concise email: express admiration for their specific paper (cite one), briefly state your interview-track application and aligned interests, and attach your CV/proposal. This shows initiative and allows them to flag your name. Crucially, do not ask for a pre-interview meeting or favors. The goal is to make a genuine intellectual connection. If they’re on the panel, you’ll be a familiar, prepared candidate. Post-interview, a thank-you email is appropriate to reiterate your interest based on the discussion.

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