[#permalink]
12 Oct 2006, 18:11
Hi tkkoh,
I am in the same status with you. I have completed my application materials for 9 schools and will submit them by the end of Oct. I have contacted professors in these schools and got 7 replies. All of them encouraged me to consider applying; some sent their papers for me to read, in addition. My current strategy is to submit the online applications first, mail out the app. packages, read their papers, and visit them early next year.
As to your situation, I suggest you to submit the application first if that professor you contacted is indeed expecting new PhD students for next Fall. Otherwiese, you would better wait for the meeting to find out his reruiting plan and whether you are the best fit for him. If he is not interested in you(I think the chance is low because he agreed to meet you), at least you can save your application fee.
Besides, I think that, for top schools, it is hard to get positive feedbacks from professors. I have emailed to a professor in MIT and got his reply in which he kindly introduced his research and neutrally suggested me to study MIT's website, a study that I had already done.