Reaching out to professors for thesis based masters?

If you don't mind me asking-- why no safeties?

Also, do you plan on getting a PhD at any point? If so, I'd recommend applying straight to PhD programs, since they're funded, and I'd avoid entering a terminal MS, if possible (although the brand name of Stanford might be worth it if you get in).

I personally would not contact "research mentors" for terminal programs. For a thesis-based MS, I personally plan on reaching out, but that's very specifically because I am a career changer and plan on doing both an MS and a PhD, and I plan on getting into a PhD program as soon as is reasonably possible. I've gotten the sense that professors tend to invest more time into PhD students and that they prefer to hear from students who will be around for a longer period of time. Since a master's is typically only two years, if you aren't on a PhD track they might not be too interested in you.

That being said, it probably can't hurt to try to contact someone. Even at non-competitive schools professors tend to be quite busy, so expect your emails to be ignored. I always try to meet people in person, if possible, but it helps that I am targeting local schools-- doing the same might not be realistic for you.

/r/gradadmissions Thread