Daisy123 Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 This past year (yes, all of 2014) i was exchanging phone calls and emails with a professor who was very interested in working with me and wanted me to apply. We even had a visit scheduled for me last month. But, since he announced that he wont be able to make our meeting scheduled in the middle of December, we never spoke again. I have contacted him a couple of times to no avail. I am getting the bad feeling that he is going to go on a sabbatical and i wont be able to apply.- which is very scary because that was the school where i had the most chance and i am only applying to 3 schools total. What would you guys do? keep emailing? start calling? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MathCat Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 Well... it is still the holidays. He may not be in contact with anyone. Gvh 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
commodork Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 I agree with MathCat. Best thing you can do right now is to not freak out. I'd say if you haven't heard back by around January 15th, then start getting a little more insistent. Maybe call then. Whatever you do, make sure not to betray your (understandable) anxiety and frustration. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzylogician Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 It's still the holidays and at some schools it's close to the beginning of a new semester. He may be on vacation, or busy preparing for the semester. Either way, I don't think there is reason to worry about lack of contact right now. Give it more time, until you have reason to think that he is back in his office. If he doesn't reply then, re-send the email and give it a bit more time. I'd only worry if he fails to reply when you know it's back to business as usual. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaultyPowers Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 I once had a POI respond to my email 18 months after I sent it. Now THAT is how you flaunt your tenure. museum_geek and commodork 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeoDUDE! Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 you should actually find out where he eats lunch and just show up unannounced. museum_geek and commodork 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisy123 Posted January 3, 2015 Author Share Posted January 3, 2015 HAHAH okay , i think i can do that. "hi, well...you have been ignoring me for a while now, but here i am, flesh and blood . So, still want to work with me?" and Faulty...18 months...did you actually remember what you emailed him about? I am surprised that he kept the email for so long. THank you all for your logical responses. I know you are right. its just so hard to be rational when i am so exited and so...motivated this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisy123 Posted January 3, 2015 Author Share Posted January 3, 2015 I once had a POI respond to my email 18 months after I sent it. Now THAT is how you flaunt your tenure. Actually, i see that you are applying to UNLV too... the school in question. Do you know when they will be back in the office? It says that their semester starts on the 21st.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaultyPowers Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 I have no idea. I'm having a hard time getting my POI from there to respond to me add well! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
commodork Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 I have no idea. I'm having a hard time getting my POI from there to respond to me add well! Twist: it's the same guy, he's not responding because you're both too damn qualified & he can't pick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaultyPowers Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 Mine isn't a guy...UNLESS Daisy123 was only saying hers was to get me of my guard! Gasp! The intrigue! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daykid Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 I would imagine that most POIs are checked out for the break. Their probably either finishing up stuff from the first semester or working on something else. I imagine that the earliest most committees start to meet is last january. Some POIs dont respond at all until the formal committee has met. I would try not to read too much into anything and just try to sit tight for the next few weeks. They are by far the hardest and the longest but interviews and things should start happening early february, if I remember correctly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
commodork Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 Mine isn't a guy...UNLESS Daisy123 was only saying hers was to get me of my guard! Gasp! The intrigue! The plot thickens further! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisy123 Posted January 3, 2015 Author Share Posted January 3, 2015 I would imagine that most POIs are checked out for the break. Their probably either finishing up stuff from the first semester or working on something else. I imagine that the earliest most committees start to meet is last january. Some POIs dont respond at all until the formal committee has met. I would try not to read too much into anything and just try to sit tight for the next few weeks. They are by far the hardest and the longest but interviews and things should start happening early february, if I remember correctly hey daykid, i remember you from last year, and i hope you are enjoying your new PhD program. Is it all that you hoped for? Thank you for your input. HAHAH yes, yes, i was testing you to see where we stand Faulty. Afterwards, we will battle it out during applications Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisy123 Posted January 3, 2015 Author Share Posted January 3, 2015 But if the faculty is actually planning on not returning next semester and he does not tell me before the deadline, i am going to be unreasonably AND reasonably pissed.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaultyPowers Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 I'll see YOU in the AcademiDome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
commodork Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 But if the faculty is actually planning on not returning next semester and he does not tell me before the deadline, i am going to be unreasonably AND reasonably pissed.... Totally understandable. When is your deadline? I had a maybe somewhat issue where a PI didn't return an email with my request for an NSF-GRFP recommendation for a length of time. I found what helped the most - in terms of both my sanity and my relationship with the professor - was coming up with a timeline leading up to the due date that listed exactly what steps I would take and when to get his attention. It helped me stay calm and make sure that my response to the situation was measured and effective. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisy123 Posted January 4, 2015 Author Share Posted January 4, 2015 Thats good advice...i guess it is good to know in advance when i am planning to flip and when i should not. But to answer your question...the deadline is Feb 1st. Now, i finally found out that that school's break is until the 12th, but faculty might not be back until the 20th. This means that potentially I will literally have 10 days to go to vegas, meet the professor, and apply. Or, even better, find out if he is even returning. I have a bad feeling that the reason he is not responding is that something happened and he had to go. I know I sound ridiculous but Its like an instinct or fear setting in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rising_star Posted January 4, 2015 Share Posted January 4, 2015 Daisy123, there's no need to go worse case scenario on this. A lot of faculty deliberately don't check their work email during breaks. That's not personal, that's about preserving one's sanity and actually getting a vacation from time to time. As for having 10 days to go to Vegas, it's really not necessary to meet with a POI in person before applying or even before accepting an offer. You could exchange emails, talk on the phone, or Skype before your application if you really want to get to know the POI better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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