Etiquette for contacting professors

Ok, I need to vent about this a bit.  About a month ago I emailed the programme director at my first choice uni.  The next day she replied with what I felt was a reasonably positive message, asking for more details of my background and saying she would speak to the admissions people about whether I could qualify.  I replied with the details she requested, and since then, nothing.  So I emailed my second choice uni a week ago and they haven't responded at all.  Zilch. So now I am faced with the prospect of emailing the third choice uni, but I am honestly so discouraged by this.  I get that people are busy, but could they not take a minute to reply, even if only to say eff off, you're not good enough? That's common courtesy, right?  So now I'm wondering how long do I wait?  I've got to apply in the next month or so if I've any hope of securing funding, and everyone says you shouldn't apply blind but should make contacts in the department first, but how can I do that when no one will reply?  I don't want to take the time and expense to apply if there's no chance I'll be accepted.   I was so excited about the prospect of studying this subject, and it's just so disheartening to reach out in enthusiasm and be met with indifference.  So now I don't know what to do, if I should take the risk and apply or just give it up. 

I would follow up with the first uni and give her a gentle reminder that you're still waiting for a response. I don't think that's unreasonable.

I agree with CharmCityGirl. The communication etiquette here seems to be more relaxed that what we're used to in the states.  I too,  find this aggravating, but no one seems to mind a polite reminder.

I would follow up with the first Uni--it sounds like your first contact may have hit at reading week type time, when academics have more time, but they are back to teaching now.  You would not believe how impossible some people are to get ahold of--with the best will in the world, they really only reply to things at the top of their inbox. Another good idea might be to figure out who the admin is for the postgraduate programme and just ring him/her directly.  They will be used to fielding questions on applications and the like and perhaps more likely to get back to you.

This just reminded ME of a number of people I promised to get back to and never did.  Definitely follow up until you have some response.  I would never give up on things just because someone forgot to follow up.  Most of the academics in the programs I worked with were a bit scatty with working with personal details and following up on things for other people.  It doesn't mean you wouldn't be accepted and do well.

I completely agree to follow up. I doubt I'd even be on my course right now if I had not been 100% proactive. People here seem to expect you to do most of the reaching out and if you're lucky and you catch them at the right time, they will respond. 

Hello--I'm new here and I'm just sort of tacking on some commentary to this thread.  I hope you don't mind!

I wasn't sure what the protocol was as far as contacting professors, either.  I think I eventually wrote to someone at admissions and asked.  They were very friendly and said to go ahead and contact the two professors who seemed to specialize in my particular topic.

I wrote Professor 1 and Professor 2 an email and heard nothing from Professor 1, but Professor 2 sent me a reply, which went to my junk mail folder (eep!).  It was friendly and basically said he was about to go on holiday, but the subject sounded interesting and could I get back to him in early Jan.?  I wrote back to say thank you so much--I would get back to him.  He replied from a different, personal email to say fine and have a good holiday.

At the beginning of this month, I let the semester start (here), and then emailed him at the personal email--would he consider taking a look at my proposal now?  No reply.  I let a few days go by, then emailed him at his school email.  Did he have the time to look at my proposal?  Nothing.

Not sure what to do.  My emails could be getting stuck in his spam filter.  I've checked my "junk mail" folders over and over, just in case his reply went in there.  Nope.

He seemed a very nice guy, but either he hasn't gotten my email, he's very busy, he's a bit scatty, it's normal to go weeks without replying to someone's email in his world, or he's been hit by a bus.

Should I try again?  Should I start over with Professor 1?

Could you ring? I would. With the best will in the world, academics and email....are not always an efficient system.  Also, I'm not sure what the case is at the Uni you are contacting, but we are right in the middle of the exam period at mine--which means very busy academics!
Try again!

Thanks for the reply, Jennie.  Maybe he's in the middle of exams, too (That's much better than being hit by a bus!).  I'll try again.

Calling from the US would be a little odd, maybe, so I'll try the email route first, and maybe contact the other professor, as well.

Thanks for the reply, Jennie.  Maybe he's in the middle of exams, too (That's much better than being hit by a bus!).  I'll try again.

Calling from the US would be a little odd, maybe, so I'll try the email route first, and maybe contact the other professor, as well.

As long as you call between 9am and 5pm UK time, I don't think he'll mind where you're ringing from!