<p>The topic titles a bit misleading. I’m not talking about an application anywhere near finished. I have a year and a half to go, and I wanted to know where I stand competition wise in some areas. Pretty much I’m very worried about my GPA, so I was thinking of contacting the potential grad programs and sending them my current GPA/GRE/portfolio, saying something like “I have some concerns about some parts of my application, and was wondering if you could provide feedback”</p>
<p>however, its likely that the ones who’ll be looking at this will be the ones who decide admissions (based off some emails I’ve sent a while back). So I’m wondering whether this is a good/bad idea. Wouldn’t sending this kind of inquiry be very obvious at my lack of confidence? Am I giving myself a red flag?</p>
<p>You would be better off asking the graduate admission committee at your own institution. They are much more likely to help you. I wouldn’t suggest undertaking what you have suggested.</p>
<p>You have a long way to go. Just talk to your own professors to see where you stand. Relax. Just do the best you can for the time being. Don’t talk to grad people until the year you do apply for grad school (meaning next fall- 2011 if you’re aiming for 2012). They’ll rather talk to people who are actually applying for 2011- don’t take time away from those potential applicants.</p>
<p>Sending early application is not going to help you. Admission office is not going to reply back to you with Good/Bad as an answer.</p>
<p>I would find the professors or advisors in the department. Send them an short email and see how they respond. Don’t send your resume, just a short email with your profile and interest will get them to reply to you. </p>
<p>Do not do this. You won’t get any feedback from the programs, at at worse they will think you presumptuous. The most competitive programs barely have time for the hundreds of legit applications they get every season; they certainly don’t have time to give you a pre-screening.</p>
<p>This is what your mentors at your home university are for. Ask them for advice and feedback about yoru GPA and GRE, as well as your portfolio.</p>