Why won't professors respond to my e-mails?

starbright
Fri, 19 Nov 2010 19:19:27 +0000

I’m a professor. I try to answer all my emails but I really get swamped. I have a ton of priorities going on so l get normally over 200 emails PER DAY. That is not an exaggeration. I try to respond, but priority goes to current students, my coauthors, my dean, the chairs of committees on which I sit.

I might get requests for help from someone who is not my student. I might not respond for these reasons (on top of being swamped and not being able to answer every request):


The student is a freshman and I may not have any existing projects they can take on that matches their skill level. It would require more work on my part than they can ever possibly give back.
The email reads like it was sent to 20 people. It’s generic. Like spam. Someone else can answer it. So do your homework, be genuine, and be selective. If you can’t be bothered to do your homework, and convey that you actually know of my research and see a good fit, and convey that fit, why should I bother? (I’m not saying you do this I’m just saying how it comes across when one gets such emails).
The student wants something from me, but does not in any way suggest why I should want them to join my work. Perspective take-- you are ‘selling yourself’ in a sense so rather than focus on why it’s good for you, try to convey why they should want to respond or meet you.
Work on impressing your profs. first and building a relationship with them THEN look to work with them. We SEEK OUT the amazing students- those that have something to say (even in large lectures), that come to talk ideas with us, that go beyond the course material, that involve themselves in the department. We want those that show true intellectual curiosity, motivation, and a love of learning, not those that read on the internet they are supposed to do research if they want to go to grad school.
Stop emailing. We are drowning in email. We can’t even respond to important emails from colleagues half the time. Show up at office hours, or ask the admin when they are usually around and camp at their door if you have to. Or try a quieter time: fall when classes are in session is a crazy-busy time.