Meeting with prof while on campus tour

bclintonk
Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:10:22 +0000

As an academic let me say that e-mailing the department chair or individual faculty members in advance is a very good idea. Professors are busy, but most of them take their teaching very seriously, they want to attract good and enthusiastic students, and frankly in many cases they’re flattered by the attention. But it’s much easier to get their time and attention if they can schedule it in advance rather than interrupting other work they’re doing when you just drop by. I never turn down these kinds of requests unless I have an unavoidable conflict. Also, keep it brief: 15 minutes, 20 max, should be ample time, and be clear in advance that’s all you’re asking for.