Dear prospective student,
When I receive an email from someone interested in my university or program, I feel a rush of excitement. Sometimes, I even recognize the name as one from my home country, which brings some sense of connection. But, too often, that excitement fades as I read vague questions, leaving me struggling to guess what information would help.
When you ask, “What do you know about this university or program?” The short, honest answer to this question is, “I may have information, but I am not sure which information may be of specific use for you.” But we both know that you want to read a different response. Thus, I will spend some time, a little more than ought, trying to decipher which information should be shared and how best to craft my email reply in a way that leaves you motivated.
To make the most of reaching out to someone who’s gone through this process, here are a few tips to help ensure your questions get the answers you need, with them spending effort in getting actual answers and not thinking of both the question and answer.
1. Be specific.
This is the central message of this blog. Many people who have gone through a University application or are supporting a University program are eager to share tips and helpful experiences. But while they want to help, time is precious, and it’s easier for everyone if you narrow down your questions to what is most valuable to you. For example, instead of asking broadly about the program, you might ask, “How are the program modules structured?” This is a specific question for which I, for example, can quickly think of the answer compared to when asked, “What is the program like?”
But what if you are curious, anxious, and don’t know where to begin or what you want to know? No worries, read point two.
2. Start with Research
The goal here isn’t to discourage you from reaching out but to help you build a foundation so you come away with answers that help you most. Today, there is a relatively accessible wealth of resources that provide information about the basics. University websites, program pages, bloggers, and vloggers often share interconnected information. Once you’ve done some research, the information you obtain can help you narrow down to more specific questions left unanswered.
3. Tips for Effective Online Research
If you’re unsure where to start or how to find the information, here are a few tips:
1. Use simple keywords: Instead of typing the entire thought in your search box, try specific keywords. For example, “Chevening Scholarship Interview Tips,” “University of Reading Campus Life,” or “Agricultural Economics Master Germany.”
2. Don’t settle for the first results page: Sometimes, the most useful answers are a few pages deep. So, if you read through the titles and meta description on the first result page and are still looking for a more convincing result, go on to the next page.
3. Look at related topics: Can’t find specifics about a university’s campus life? Try looking up general info about living in that city.
4. Try multiple keywords: If you need the ‘Chevening Scholarship Interview’ search to show results for Nigerian prospective students’ interview experiences, try ‘Chevening Scholarship Interview Nigerian Student.’
5. Reach out to official contacts: It can be intimidating, but people handling admissions or managing program inquiries are usually best equipped with the information you need. For this reason, many universities and programs provide the contact email on their pages. Alumni and one of many random contacts like me can offer our own experiences, but the official channels often have a broader view and can help more.
When you approach someone, whether an alum or a contact at the university, make it clear that you’ve done some research and are looking for more specific help. This will make it easier to give you helpful advice.
Regards,
Your academic sister.