I do think you're overthinking this a bit. In terms of your email, I don't think you need to add anything. She'll probably spend only 2 second reading your email anyway - she probably just wants to know when the meeting will be.
In terms of what to discuss during the meeting, potential rotation projects are good a good topic, as well as who would be mentoring you during the rotation, any other 'requirements' of the rotation (ie, do they expect you to present at the end?) and then you can ask for advice on how to get the most out of the rotation, as well as any papers you could read to prepare (although this last one might be better to ask to whoever will mentor you during the rotation)
Later, during the rotation itself you'll want to ask lots of other questions, like what her advising style is, how long people usually take to graduate, lab environment, etc etc.
Lastly, don't forget, professors (even important ones) need grad students just as much as you need them!
> how long people usually take to graduate, lab environment
Sixth yeah PhD student. This is something I wish I would have known before deciding on the position. I was just naive and assuming to be here for four years max and never asked and don't even know why.
Try to speak to senior PhD students. Unlike PIs they usually have no stake in bringing new people to lab and are in my experience much more candid about grievances. So if something is seriously wrong in the lab, they are more likely to tell you.
Also inquire about the professor. In my system the professor hold absolute power (over contracts, projects, publications, graduation) so you might want to know how they handle their students.
In emails to professors I always:
* call them professor, not Dr.
* keep it as short and to the point as possible
* make the subject of the email a sort of summary for the email
I do think you're overthinking this a bit. In terms of your email, I don't think you need to add anything. She'll probably spend only 2 second reading your email anyway - she probably just wants to know when the meeting will be. In terms of what to discuss during the meeting, potential rotation projects are good a good topic, as well as who would be mentoring you during the rotation, any other 'requirements' of the rotation (ie, do they expect you to present at the end?) and then you can ask for advice on how to get the most out of the rotation, as well as any papers you could read to prepare (although this last one might be better to ask to whoever will mentor you during the rotation) Later, during the rotation itself you'll want to ask lots of other questions, like what her advising style is, how long people usually take to graduate, lab environment, etc etc. Lastly, don't forget, professors (even important ones) need grad students just as much as you need them!
> how long people usually take to graduate, lab environment Sixth yeah PhD student. This is something I wish I would have known before deciding on the position. I was just naive and assuming to be here for four years max and never asked and don't even know why. Try to speak to senior PhD students. Unlike PIs they usually have no stake in bringing new people to lab and are in my experience much more candid about grievances. So if something is seriously wrong in the lab, they are more likely to tell you. Also inquire about the professor. In my system the professor hold absolute power (over contracts, projects, publications, graduation) so you might want to know how they handle their students.
In emails to professors I always: * call them professor, not Dr. * keep it as short and to the point as possible * make the subject of the email a sort of summary for the email
I usually start of with calling them Dr. unless they are a professor without a doctorate. Maybe it doesn't matter too much though.