The HUNT for POIs

[Canis]

In my search to connect with POIs for future research, I've decided there are a few kinds of faculty email styles:

 

1. Friendly but straight to the point one line replies, no greeting, no closing - just the facts.

 

2. Greetings, salutations and adjectives! Long responses, reflexive descriptions, friendly tone, casual but intelligent and focused.

 

3. Auto-replies, which might not be auto-replies... can this many faculty within ONE program really be on leave for the next year?

 

4. Grumpy faculty who don't like the process of prospective supervisor conversations and don't want to participate - General vibe: your research sounds interesting, but the admissions committee makes decisions and I really don't want to have anything to do with this, in fact I really am just ready for winter break/to retire/my sabbatical. (btw, I totally understand this, and sympathize)

 

5. Faculty who are subtly warning you about the program - they sneak in a little tidbit between the lines like: there's only 1-2 students admitted each year because of funding, you won't have a cohort, we focus on our MA students..

 

Any to add to the list?

[Queen of Kale]

I don't have any types to add but I did want to say that you should't read too much into each personality type as far as your odds of acceptance.  I had one of each type of POI that I corresponded with (except 3) at all different programs and was accepted by each.  I was really surprised by that!  Also, the friendliest email writers does not equal best advisor or even friendliest person IRL.

[Canis]

I don't have any types to add but I did want to say that you should't read too much into each personality type as far as your odds of acceptance.  I had one of each type of POI that I corresponded with (except 3) at all different programs and was accepted by each.  I was really surprised by that!  Also, the friendliest email writers does not equal best advisor or even friendliest person IRL.

 

That last sentence is TRUTH. Thanks for your thoughts!