HOW AND WHEN TO CONTACT POTENTIAL ADVISORS FOR PHD/GRAD SCHOOL APPLICATIONS + free email template

[@nicolew5077]

From a first-generation PhD applicant, THANK YOU!

[@shebanigans]

I'm interviewing with a professor at Yale this week for a PhD and I just realised that there were some things I missed. Running to redo my research! Thank you so much!

[@NewYorkHoney11796]

This video is so immensely helpful. I’ll be doing a “take two” on PhD applications in two years when I finish up my master’s degree, and I found reaching out to professors to be really daunting, and I didn’t dive into the process as much as I should have. I’ll definitely be saving this video for then. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge on this process!

[@KaelynGraceApple]

Of course! Don't let the process intimidate you too much

[@slosud737]

How did it end up going?

[@lil_swarlette]

Thank you so much for this! I'm actually already doing my PhD, but I need to do fieldwork in Japan and to get a researcher visa I need a sponsoring professor/university. I found this really helpful for reaching out to professors and I have my interview in half an hour!

[@nibirsaadman8214]

This is what I was looking for. I've an interview on Wednesday and I'm quite sure that this video will help me with my interview. Thanks.

[@KatieIbsen]

This is super informative and important. I cant wait to use that email template for myself lol! Also, I would love to see a video of your opinion on getting a masters vs going straight for a PhD. I think it would be helpful to have some conversation around that!

[@KaelynGraceApple]

The Vintage Academic of course! That’s a great recommendation! Thanks 🥰

[@haidian1322]

This video was really helpful. And surprisingly, it was a motivation booster for me. I've never had any problem reaching professors, but I really don't know anything (yet!) about the process of getting an advisor for a PhD. So this was gold. Thank you very much for the template too, I'll download it for sure.

[@KaelynGraceApple]

Hai Dian so glad you found it useful!!

[@nehagaur6406]

Thank you for the video! Much needed for an introvert like me who shudders at the thought of approaching people. 💖

[@in.review]

Thank you so much for this video! I'm going to start seriously looking at schools for my PhD in the spring and was especially nervous about doing phone interviews with current students and potential advisors. Your tips are super helpful! ❤️

[@KaelynGraceApple]

I'm so glad it was helpful for you! Good luck!!!

[@GenXBeauty]

Thank you Kaelyn! I am approaching a potential outside advisor from another department and I’m a bit nervous about it. This helps so much!

[@KatieTheAcademic]

Thank you so much Kaelyn! I saved this video and am gonna watch it again several time for my next interview in the future!

[@thuytrangnguyen7294]

Thank you so much for this video! Anyway, when having an informational interview with the potential advisors, what is the research proposal that I should ask them for feedback? The proposal of the research project that I'm doing or the research proposal that I aim to pursue in the PhD program?

[@araidias7442]

most likely your planned PhD project !

[@octopusgold]

so helpful!!! and i LOVE the chapters! please continue using chapters in your videos!

[@isabellegagnon3146]

I love your videos in general, and this one is particularly helpful for me! No one talks about these interviews, but they seem so important, especially to figure out if working with a certain professor is good fit. I also have a question about research proposals. Most universities in my field don't ask for this in the application, would you say it is essential to have a research proposal just for yourself and this part of the process, or is it okay to have specific, but still slightly broad interests for now? I might add that my field is particularly multidisciplinary.

[@anchitavijayaraghavan4809]

Amazing information 👍. I'm planning for PhD so very helpful

[@KaelynGraceApple]

Glad you found it to be useful 🥰

[@varleenkaur5940]

Thanks a lot for this video. I will be approaching some professors by next month. All points were so appropriate and helpful.

[@KaelynGraceApple]

❤️

[@lavendervvoo2970]

TY, this is beyond helpful.

[@西家光一-h8v]

Wow thank you, this is one of the most informative content I’ve ever seen on KZbin! I’ve been watching your videos like iPad and grad school things and finding it really helpful. Keep up your great work!

[@KaelynGraceApple]

西家光一 thank you!!!

[@ashokbansode3354]

Thank you keylan . Informative. M as well preparing for PhD in Britain . Need for research proposal

[@kelleyreardon]

Another super helpful video!! thank you so, so much!

[@mariem.7498]

Thank you for making this scary step easier Kaelyn!! I hope you're happy with your new environment :) take care

[@KaelynGraceApple]

Thank you! I am loving my new home 🥰🥰

[@ss.studiostyles]

wonderful. thank you.

[@NoelleSam]

I am not a grad student, yet. This is extremely helpful, though.

[@KaelynGraceApple]

Aw I'm so glad!

[@nidhimahajn]

This is such a great and useful video. One thing that I struggle with is writing a subject line for such emails. Can you talk a bit more about that (in the comments or another video/vlog)?

[@KaelynGraceApple]

Of course! Mine always stated “Prospective X University PhD Candidate” short, sweet, and to the point 🥰

[@KristaCannady]

Great advice!!!

[@KaelynGraceApple]

Glad you think so!

[@giulianabernini908]

This video is so helpful!! Also, i love your editting :)

[@KaelynGraceApple]

Thank you!

[@corny336]

Thank you! Really helpful video :)

[@KaelynGraceApple]

♥️

[@Sugarkane2003]

So what if you are interested in working with let’s say two advisors at the same faculty? Do you write them booth? Thanks for making this video so helpful! 💓

[@KaelynGraceApple]

Yes! Ideally you’d contact one and ask if they’d be willing to connect you with the other! 🥰 it’s a great way to make the connection “organically”

[@nikitasarma7963]

This is really helpful! Thank you for sharing this! 💕

[@KaelynGraceApple]

Of course! Glad you found it useful!!

[@varleenkaur5940]

The email template is just perfect. Also waiting for your YALE journey to start. Also please make a video on LOR drafts as my teachers in undergrad have asked me to prepare a draft for them.

[@KaelynGraceApple]

Aw I’m so glad you found it useful! Good luck with your application!!!

[@caroltansley7363]

Immensely helpful - thank you!! 🥇

[@KaelynGraceApple]

Yay!!

[@seluita8720]

Yay! Thanks for your help!!!

[@KaelynGraceApple]

Selu Ita happy to help!

[@008shivali]

Hey, is this video for a Master's application or Doctoral applications?

[@KaelynGraceApple]

This is primarily focused on PhD applications though reaching out to potential advisors for your masters is advisable so long as the program allows

[@008shivali]

@@KaelynGraceApple Ah alright, thanks so much for this! I am currently in the process of applying to Oxford for an MSc in Global Governance and Diplomacy and the application asks for a very brief description of the dissertation topic that I'd like to take up. In that case, does the University really expect us to be extremely specific? Also for instance, I'm looking at working on Cultural Diplomacy helping in foreign policy creation, would it be a good idea to ask the potential advisor how I can look at this topic with further specificity?

[@Mariegilbert12345]

You should advertise/post on the “grad admissions” forum on Reddit. There are 40,000+ followers and I know first hand this type of detailed information is in desperate need.

[@KaelynGraceApple]

That’s a great idea!!! Thank you 💕💕 I really appreciate it

[@Mariegilbert12345]

TheRedHeadAcademic actually I just checked 80,000 subscribers who all are quite desperate for information.

[@KaelynGraceApple]

Marie Gilbert you’re always welcome to post links to my videos for anyone who may benefit! I’ll take a look at the thread tomorrow and see how I may spread the word

[@tst648]

The template is not opening

[@ashleylee6789]

Hi I was wondering if you recommend we email profs after submitting pur documents again? Or should we just email them once? Thanks so much for the helpful tips :)

[@rosastevens6676]

Thank you this is essential! I love you content- I’m also studying a history masters and I don’t know why nobody tells you these things!

[@KaelynGraceApple]

I'm so glad you found this video helpful! There is definitely a lack of information on graduate admissions and work - my hope is to make it a little less so!

[@ЕлизаветаЯкина-к2х]

Do you do all this in September before or after the acceptance letter?

[@KaelynGraceApple]

September before you apply

[@ifiokokon6278]

Thank you Kaelyn for this Video, it is very insightful. I have trouble downloading the template. I get "We couldn't find the page you were looking for". Please, how do I go about the template?

[@KaelynGraceApple]

acceptedconsulting.com/templates/p/potential-advisor-email-template here you go!!

[@manuelamuniz2935]

@@KaelynGraceApple heyy, is it still available? i get the same trouble as Ifiok Okon

[@Calmdownpaco]

I'm in the process of applying to clinical psychology PhD programs, most of which have an application deadline of December 1st. I didn't really know about how important contacting advisors, is it too late for me to reach out to these professors?

[@natalietadros980]

Me too 🤦‍♀️

[@forest-fairies]

I have two supervisors who have confirmed willingness for my Master's program and am just now entering my last year of my undergrad. Would you recommend staying in touch / updating them periodically throughout my final year?

[@KaelynGraceApple]

Absolutely!

[@kccgurl]

Hey, I'm looking at master's degrees in the humanities in the US, and I'm not sure whether I need to reach out to potential advisors or not. Some of the programs say that the master's thesis is usually an expansion of a paper written in a seminar class and that an advisor must be chosen after the first year; so that makes me think that even though the degree has a thesis component, I'm not expected to reach out to advisors beforehand, but I'm not sure. In the cases when I'm not sure who should I email and ask? The Director of Graduate Admissions for the department? Or one of the current grad students? Thanks.

[@KaelynGraceApple]

Hey! This is an important question. I always recommend reaching out to faculty you may want to work with in the future and the DGS or current Grad students if you have specific questions about the program. Though a masters does not require as much one on one with a single advisor, it’s a good idea to see who you might work with to see if the program will be a good fit for you

[@FairuzHumam]

Hi Kaelyn. Thank you for this. I will have an informational interview. This is very helpful. Actually I don't understand point 2. For the whole time I thought we need to have an area that match with the professor. Can you or anyone explain explain what does not overlapping mean? Can it be the same theme but not the exact same work?

[@KaelynGraceApple]

My recommendation is to have a supervisor who is well versed in your subject and is aware/expert in your sources/methods but whose research is not a direct overlap. If their own work aligns too closely, there will be less room to develop your own thoughts and approaches and you may have limited opportunities for outside collaborations.

[@FairuzHumam]

@@KaelynGraceApple wow that's new to hear. I think now I know what you mean. Thanks so much!

[@martinika823]

Should be rthe first email sent after i prepared my research proposal? (mres oxford)

[@mrsoumikghosh5900]

Is it really necessary to contact your potential advisors over mail? won't that leave a negative impact if i completely divorce with that thought and change my advisors while I am there actually undertaking the research work?

[@MelissaG84]

There is a professor that I would like to work with but on the school's website it says she open admitting new PhD students this coming admissions cycle but she is NOT able to respond to individual email inquiries from potential applicants to our PhD program. Is there anything else I can do besides email? Should I send an email anyway and cross my fingers that she reads it?

[@AER7456]

Hello again, girlfriend! I am already in communication with my advisor but I am always looking at email templates like that to find different ways to speak to professors and whatnot as everything becomes increasingly online. However, I wasn't able to get your link to work on my computer. I also just went to google your website to find it myself and wasn't able to pull up your website. Not sure if that's just my dumb computer or if something else is up there? Anyway, as always, from your fellow former professional equestrian turned academic, thank you for the content you create :)

[@KaelynGraceApple]

Thanks so much Kylee for your comment and I'm sorry the link isnt working for you! It seems to be working for everyone else but maybe go directly to kaelynapple.com/products and see if that works?

[@AER7456]

@@KaelynGraceApple This is so weird, it works on my phone but not my computer? xD I have no idea but the phone will work just fine! Thank you, Kaelyn! Excited to see more of your PhD journey and New Haven :)

[@KaelynGraceApple]

Kylee Clare thank you! Vlog will be up on Sunday!!

[@marzanazaman9123]

Hi there. These infos were really helpful but I cannot get access to your free template.

[@SpellBook92]

Hi! Can a lecturer be an advisor?

[@KaelynGraceApple]

Majority of programs require that your advisor be tenured but there are some minor exceptions (especially in the sciences(

[@Safarography]

This is helpful Just try to speak a bit slower 😅

[@KaelynGraceApple]

I’ll try 😅 that just how I talk

[@Safarography]

@@KaelynGraceApple 💙

[@SpellBook92]

Hi again 😅 I have a dilema. I like two professors as prospective advisors in the same university, in the same field. Can I send them both emails or should I just contact one? Is it wrong to contact both at the same time?

[@KaelynGraceApple]

Contact one first and then say you are also interested in working with Prof B and see what Prof A recommends

[@VladyslavKL]

🕊

[@kalswanson2254]

Lmfao Shes an Oxford grad she can Waltz literally into any school she wants to, it kind of doesn’t matter if you where in her position whether you send emails/ or have an average statement

[@KaelynGraceApple]

You obviously don’t watch my videos or you would know that I started with a 2.0 gpa and was a community college drop out before making my way eventually to UCLA and Oxford. I could not, in fact, waltz into any school. My application was always a long shot and I speak from experience on how to navigate this process as a first gen grad student. Check yourself

[@kalswanson2254]

@@KaelynGraceApple I didn’t expect to get a response, but hey I commend you for pivoting it to a constructive conversation. Thanks for illuminating your journey through it all, it’a a combination of very dedicated hard work and a strike of luck and a persistent passion ultimately. I can see how you are in the position to give advice to applicants and help them go through the rounds. It was definitely ignorant of me to brand you as a trust kid and it’s great that you helped dispel that. I do sincerely hope your channel grows and provides a platform to spread your experience and ultimately help as many people as possible! I’m coming from STEM so it’s a little different, but thanks for identifying the differences in the process. All the best with your research, I hope it can have an impact on the field!!

[@KaelynGraceApple]

Thank you so much for this response ♥️ and for listening. Best of luck with your research also!