Contacted by interested professor, then no word?

[hart27]

I was emailed by a professor at a school I applied to, stating she was interested in working with me. She asked if I was interested in working with her on any of her research projects, providing summaries of each project. I replied saying that one of the projects really interested me (I didnt say the others didnt, just that one really did), and I am interested in working with her, and if she is interested in speaking on the phone or having me come out to visit I would love to. She emailed me early last week and I replied in a few hours, since then, no word. Did she lose interest from simply the short email I sent? When would it be ok to follow up and see if she is still interested?

Any advice on this situation would be appreciated.

Edited March 7, 2011 by hart27

[Strangefox]

I was emailed by a professor at a school I applied to, stating she was interested in working with me. She asked if I was interested in working with her on any of her research projects, providing summaries of each project. I replied saying that one of the projects really interested me (I didnt say the others didnt, just that one really did), and I am interested in working with her, and if she is interested in speaking on the phone or having me come out to visit I would love to. She emailed me early last week and I replied in a few hours, since then, no word. Did she lose interest from simply the short email I sent? When would it be ok to follow up and see if she is still interested?

Any advice on this situation would be appreciated.

I don't think she could have lost interest because of your email (unless it was really rude, which I am sure it was not). Many things could have prevented her from writing back to you. May be she is very busy, may be she is ill. I think sending her another email to reiterate your interest will do no harm and may help to clarify the issue.

Good luck!

[jaxzwolf]

If it has only been a week I would wait-- I know it's hard, but professors are typically swamped with things to do and this time of year tends to be particularly busy. You stated your case and told her you'd be interested in working with her. I would give it two weeks from from the day you emailed her before you try again. I err on the side of caution in thinking that emailing any earlier might be construed as impatient or pushy. Give her time to get back to you. If you haven't heard and it's been two weeks since you replied to her original email, I don't see any problem with sending a short follow-up note reiterating your interest.

[doozer]

If it has only been a week I would wait-- I know it's hard, but professors are typically swamped with things to do and this time of year tends to be particularly busy. You stated your case and told her you'd be interested in working with her. I would give it two weeks from from the day you emailed her before you try again. I err on the side of caution in thinking that emailing any earlier might be construed as impatient or pushy. Give her time to get back to you. If you haven't heard and it's been two weeks since you replied to her original email, I don't see any problem with sending a short follow-up note reiterating your interest.

Its also grant season so all the profs are busy on that

[hart27]

Thanks for the feedback, very appreciated. I will probably wait another week or so and then contact her.