<p>^ Exactly. Besides to me, if they don’t have time to respond to a quick email - seriously, 5 seconds on their part (hours on mine, right), then PERSONALLY, that’s not really someone I want to work with for my PhD. Not 100%, but it gives me some idea - maybe I will in the end - but I personally know I don’t want to work with a big-name person who is never in the lab and actually training students. That’s just what I’ve realized from my own lab experience. Like I said, I also realized some profs aren’t doing what I really want to do/thought they were, or going in a direction that’s not of great interest to me. Of course, maybe they forgot or were very busy at that time point, or generally get bombarded with these emails but still train the students they have very well, of course. But I don’t think there is a loss in doing that. I emailed to profs even if I knew they have no say in my admissions (not applying to the dept of their primary appointment and just started their labs), but just to let them know I’m interested. It was a very nice exchange, and I was told me to email anytime I have questions or want to find out more. Definitely giving me a positive opinion… and I found out they know and like my current PI - which also makes me realize how small some academic circles are.</p>