Writing UK potential supervisors

[Pino5]

To those who have experience writing to potential UK phd supervisors:

 

How long did you have to wait before they responded, if at all? I'm asking because I wrote several potential supervisors last week and they have not responded to my email yet (I included my phd proposal in the email as well). If I don't hear from them, does that mean they were not interested in the topic/proposal? How long do I have to wait before I email them again (just to be sure they didn't lose the email or forgot to respond)? I can imagine they get tons of emails from students all over, so I just need to get an idea of the "average" waiting time. Thanks!

[beyondaboundary]

To those who have experience writing to potential UK phd supervisors:

 

How long did you have to wait before they responded, if at all? I'm asking because I wrote several potential supervisors last week and they have not responded to my email yet (I included my phd proposal in the email as well). If I don't hear from them, does that mean they were not interested in the topic/proposal? How long do I have to wait before I email them again (just to be sure they didn't lose the email or forgot to respond)? I can imagine they get tons of emails from students all over, so I just need to get an idea of the "average" waiting time. Thanks!

Gadzooks

My experience has been completely different on one level. Most POIs I emailed were quick to answer (within days) and either encourage or discourage accordingly. On the other hand, a few just ignored the email. Those that did, I left alone. I wouldn't infer disinterest from lack of responses, but rather look harder at those I contacted and use the silence to further whittle down your list and only reach out again to those whose programs represent your ideal. Hope this helps

[Pino5]

Dbrunton, thanks for the response.

 

There was actually one who responded very faborably, a big name in the field, and also my first choice. I'll be perfectly happy if I get admitted in the program. I am just hoping I can have several other programs I can apply to as well.

 

Do you think it would be OK if I write other professors in the same department as those who didn't reply?

[sarakeet]

I would recommend waiting until September and e-mailing again if you don't hear from them. August is a serious vacation time here in the UK and I'm pretty sure half the professors at my university are on vacation at the moment... I know my tutor is about to finish up two weeks hiking and camping out of the country. I mean they could just be uninterested or very busy, but they might just be out of town, and a lot of people here don't seem to do work e-mail on vacation. Good luck!