<p>I am in the process of applying to grad school for a MS in marine biology/fisheries. I have been told many times that it is very important to contact professors in advance since if you get accepted they will be funding your research (by that I mean finding the funding for your field work), so it helps your chances if you establish a rapport. I have been very cautiously contacting professors that I am interested in working with (after researching their current research and reading some of their papers online). Some I have not heard a word from, others have referred me to a specific website, and others have shared with me their recent research. My question is what do I do now? I would like to continue the “conversation”, but certainly in a valuable way - I don’t want to nag or become a nuisance. Anyone have this experience? Thanks in advance!</p>