You need to develop a professional relationship with your professor. It has to be done. He’s the head of your department and his letter of recommendation would seal your acceptance to grad school.
How do you go about doing it though?
Is it too stalkerish to know that he was a member of a band? Would it be weird to listen to his music and bring it up in conversation?
Do It
Go ahead; listen to your professor’s band. Just don’t go to ridiculous lengths to find a song. If the music is really terrible you don’t ever have to bring it up, but maybe a miracle will happen, maybe you’ll really love it. Then it won’t just be flattery and you can really discuss it with him.
What if she loves practical jokes? All of your friends have told you stories about how amusing she finds them. Should you pull one in class to get her attention?
Don’t Do it
Don’t ever trust information that someone gives you about another human being. There might have been a million other factors in the situation that your friend isn’t aware off. Maybe your professor was just in a good mood that day, or maybe she had a higher tolerance for the student or class that pulled the prank. You don’t want to find out that your friend’s wrong after you’ve made the worst impression possible on your professor.
What if you want to get into your professor’s program and he won’t pay you the time of day?
Get his attention
Approach him on his turf; volunteer to answer questions during class, write the best essay that you’ve ever composed, study hard and score the highest grade on the test, and drop in during his office hours to further discuss class material. You can get his attention without jumping up and down waving your hands; it just takes a lot of hard work and determination.
Is it okay to approach a professor you’ve never taken a class with who is in charge of a program you’re interested in?
Absolutely
You shouldn’t hesitate. If you’re interested in a program talk, email or call the director right away. She’ll almost always be open to your interest and wiling to answer your questions. They’ll be very helpful, especially if you’re deciding whether to get involved.
Image: University of South Florida
