What to do if PI doesn't respond to your "are you taking students" email?

[windypoplars]

What is the best way to go about this? It has been more than a week, so at this point, I don't think "waiting" is the way to go... Should I contact the admissions people? or send another email to the POI? 

[TakeruK]

I didn't get some of my responses for several weeks. I'd try to send the email again after the 2 weeks mark. I don't think emailing the admissions people would help, since you want to talk to the POI directly. Also, I don't think getting the admin staff to contact the POI to tell them to talk to you would do you any favours! If you think you might have an outdated email address or something though, then maybe it would be helpful to ask the admin staff to check your address.

[MikKar]

Several Professors have so many emails that they don't answer them all. My POI answered me back after about 2 months, and even that was after a 3rd email from me.

[PsychGirl1]

I honestly would just make a decision to apply or not. I had one or two professors who didn't respond to their emails, and I applied anyway because I couldn't find any evidence that they WEREN'T taking students, and I really loved their research and the program. For the record, at least one of them was taking students despite not answering my email.

[Lisa44201]

Apply anyway. I would not e-mail more than twice.

[TakeruK]

I agree that if you think you have enough interests in the program without that person replying, you should apply anyways! I emailed every POI and only about 2/3rds of them responded. I had at least 3 people at each school, so fortunately for me, I had at least one person respond from each school. I would only use "didn't reply to me" as a criterion for not sending in an application if I wasn't really feeling like that program was a good fit in the first place (but wanted to email to find out).

[iphi]

Always do a follow-up email! 2-4 weeks later. I wouldn't do more than one follow-up, but definitely do it. Profs are so busy, they forget to write back sometimes.

[BeingThere]

There were a couple of POIs who didn't respond to my emails, but I had identified two POIs from both of those schools and the other POIs from those programs did respond. So I at least know that one POI at each of those schools are taking students. I have not sent second emails to the non-responders because a)I already know that I will apply to that school whether those particular POIs are taking students or not, and b)I really have no other burning question for them that requires a response. I will still indicate my interest in their research, along with that of the other POIs, in my statements of purpose.

Edited October 23, 2013 by Bren2014

[TakeruK]

For one professor, I sent an email in mid November and didn't hear back, even after the one follow-up two weeks later. However, in late January, the prof finally replied, saying that he just saw my email from November! So sometimes they just miss your email. 

[Guest joshw4288]

My first recommendation is to never simply send an email asking if a professor it accepting a student. Send an email that makes the professor want to write you back. I emailed 18 professors from 18 different schools and received 18 replies. All with the exception of two were multiple paragraphs expressing enthusiasm about our shared interests and about how I would be a great fit for such and such lab etc. followed by whether he/she was accepting a student and information about funding. For the ones that weren't taking students, they generally provided information of a colleague who they felt would be appropriate if I still wanted to apply to said program. The key is making a connection to their research. Make it obvious that you have actually taken the time to read their articles without stating "I read your articles and think your ____ research is yada yada yada". In mine I discussed my current work that has been clearly informed by past studies of their own. Don't make broad statements like "Your research in intergroup conflict". Something like this demonstrates you didn't read anything except the 5 words on their description page. 

 

Secondly, definitely send a follow-up if you get no response after a few weeks but avoid just restating the same thing you said last time. Say something new. Ask a question about a research article they wrote. Professors love discussing their own research. It is their lifework and sharing it is generally a joy. Do this in case they did get your previous email and just didn't respond. They may have also accidentally skipped over the email. I know many professors who do not respond to emails such as these unless the sender has something substantive to say. Don't waste their time. I wouldn't send a third follow-up. They likely didn't accidentally skip the previous two emails. 

Lastly, if you write a well thought out email and still get no response you should reconsider whether you would want to work that person to begin with. 

[SportPsych30]

I'm currently working on an application for a school in which my POI did not respond. It is a little bit awkward in writing the personal statement because usually in my research fit paragraph I throw in a line about "through conversation with Dr. Rockstar, it has been made clear to me that there is a marriage of research interest blah blah blah" but here I have to simply refer to the POI's CV as proof of fit. The hard part is knowing that I may be wasting my time and cash-money on a pointless application. Nevertheless, I told myself that finances would not hold me back from giving myself a fair shot at getting into a Ph.D program, and the fit would be very good, so here I am gambling...

[windypoplars]

My first recommendation is to never simply send an email asking if a professor it accepting a student. Send an email that makes the professor want to write you back. I emailed 18 professors from 18 different schools and received 18 replies. All with the exception of two were multiple paragraphs expressing enthusiasm about our shared interests and about how I would be a great fit for such and such lab etc. followed by whether he/she was accepting a student and information about funding. For the ones that weren't taking students, they generally provided information of a colleague who they felt would be appropriate if I still wanted to apply to said program. The key is making a connection to their research. Make it obvious that you have actually taken the time to read their articles without stating "I read your articles and think your ____ research is yada yada yada". In mine I discussed my current work that has been clearly informed by past studies of their own. Don't make broad statements like "Your research in intergroup conflict". Something like this demonstrates you didn't read anything except the 5 words on their description page. 

 

Secondly, definitely send a follow-up if you get no response after a few weeks but avoid just restating the same thing you said last time. Say something new. Ask a question about a research article they wrote. Professors love discussing their own research. It is their lifework and sharing it is generally a joy. Do this in case they did get your previous email and just didn't respond. They may have also accidentally skipped over the email. I know many professors who do not respond to emails such as these unless the sender has something substantive to say. Don't waste their time. I wouldn't send a third follow-up. They likely didn't accidentally skip the previous two emails. 

Lastly, if you write a well thought out email and still get no response you should reconsider whether you would want to work that person to begin with. 

I understand that's the way to go in real life, but I'm more on the side of arguing against having to customize your email to each person. Obviously, that's not what I will do, but I think that should be the norm because it's really not a huge deal for the PI to say "yes" or "no", and there's little to no cost for them to respond to students who may be a horrible fit to them. On the other hand, it does seem a lot for PIs to demand students to understand the research work when students have to figure out 50+ people's work. The reality is that students aren't super enthusiastic about all 10 schools that they're applying to and everyone knows that. Sigh... I'm just frustrated with what's demanded in this process.... (arggggg)  

[Guest joshw4288]

I understand that's the way to go in real life, but I'm more on the side of arguing against having to customize your email to each person. Obviously, that's not what I will do, but I think that should be the norm because it's really not a huge deal for the PI to say "yes" or "no", and there's little to no cost for them to respond to students who may be a horrible fit to them. On the other hand, it does seem a lot for PIs to demand students to understand the research work when students have to figure out 50+ people's work. The reality is that students aren't super enthusiastic about all 10 schools that they're applying to and everyone knows that. Sigh... I'm just frustrated with what's demanded in this process.... (arggggg)  

If you are willing to take that risk, that is your choice. Just remember that many of these schools have 100+ applicants to choose from for a handful of slots. Don't give them a blatant reason to deny you in favor of someone who is clearly motivated to read the work of those who they have an interest in working with. The reality is if you are interested in working with these people, you should have already read their work to begin with. How else would you know that you are interested in working with them?

 

Also not sure why you are "figuring out 50+ peoples work" For one, you should already know professors you are similar interests to because you just came from university where you are writing substantial research papers. Hopefully, you were writing on peoples work that you were interested in. Secondly, I have no idea why you are looking into 50+ people...

 

These schools nor POI's owe you anything. If you want to be admitted to their program you have to prove your worth. All they are demanding is that you don't waste their time. 

Edited October 26, 2013 by joshw4288

[BeingThere]

If you are willing to take that risk, that is your choice. Just remember that many of these schools have 100+ applicants to choose from for a handful of slots. Don't give them a blatant reason to deny you in favor of someone who is clearly motivated to read the work of those who they have an interest in working with. The reality is if you are interested in working with these people, you should have already read their work to begin with. How else would you know that you are interested in working with them?

 

Also not sure why you are "figuring out 50+ peoples work" For one, you should already know professors you are similar interests to because you just came from university where you are writing substantial research papers. Hopefully, you were writing on peoples work that you were interested in. Secondly, I have no idea why you are looking into 50+ people...

 

These schools nor POI's owe you anything. If you want to be admitted to their program you have to prove your worth. All they are demanding is that you don't waste their time. 

 

This.

[ThePsychStudent]

I emailed, waited about 2 weeks, and then emailed back those that didn't respond. Some responded after a second email, but it still took time. Make sure you look carefully on their websites, because sometimes whether or not they are accepting students can be hidden in obscure locations! Then, although it't always reassuring to hear back from a professor, you will have a better idea about whether or not you want to take the time to apply. Nothing worse than applying without knowing if a professor is taking on students!

 

I pretty much just sent the same email that I sent the first time around, but included a sentence that I had emailed them a couple of weeks ago. I think it's a nice little reminder that they didn't email me back (but in a very polite way), and also shows you are very interested in applying to their program.

 

I emailed quite a few professors, and eventually heard back from all but one.

[ThePsychStudent]

PS related to the comments about the email to send out. I pretty much sent out the same email, but made some changes to the title of the program and to the area of research that particular professor was doing. It seemed to work out for me!

 

I also included my CV. Can't recommend that enough, especially if yours is really good. You want them to want to email you back, and if they think your CV shows you'll be a great fit for the program, they are much more likely to take you seriously and take the time to email you back.