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

Parents Forum
21

<p>IMO the most helpful post on this thread was #2 by Marian. Set up a meeting with the DUS (or whatever that person is called). This person will know specifically who you are, where you stand, what will work in this department, what won’t, and why. </p>

<p>The other general point about sending out unsolicited email is: Timing is EVERYTHING.</p>

<p>Nov/Dec is not the time to approach a Prof about a research project. Any Prof who was interested in working with an undergrad student has already got someone by now. Try late Spring to set up something for next year.</p>

<p>And please realize, whatever the college may have said during recruitment, the truth is that Profs of ‘top 25’ colleges are not that keen about working with undergrads. It is nothing personal. You’ll understand when you are a Prof.</p>

22

<p>You do not need to be taking a professor’s class to attend his posted office hours. Most faculty have some “drop-in” office hours where no appointment is necessary. Students have become overly reliant on email to make complex requests. As a faculty member, I’m not going to sit down for twenty minutes and draft a personal email to you outlining your undergraduate research options. Showing up in person is always more effective; plus, the faculty member has already put the time aside to see students anyway, so you wouldn’t be a distraction.</p>

<p>I also agree that right now (December) is a fairly terrible time to demand extra faculty attention. It’s like asking an accountant for extra advice in early April.</p>