Hello!!! I'm a new "prospective PhD Student", and I would love to get a PhD in Humanities.
Now, I'm trying to get through all the process of contacting a supervisor: I have selected two professors and sent them my research proposal (at least a first draft of it) and my CV. They both answered very kindly that they have received my mail, they will read it carefully and contact me back "shortly". 
Now, here it's the problem: what does "shortly" mean? I know it's quite a stupid question, they have plenty of things to do, etc, but I'm quite in panic for this...could "shortly" be a few days? a week? two weeks?
and, if they are not interested, they will write me back or just I won't heard anything more? should I try to contact more possible tutors asap? should I wait for their answer?

Hi Kiad

I'm not being facetious but 'shortly' could indeed mean anything; as you say a few days, weeks etc. Professors are clever people but can often be slow in moving things along. Having said that, it is positive that you got a reply from both, this is not always the case. There is nothing wrong with casting your net further afield and making tentative inquiries elsewhere but I would be careful that you are not seen as playing one off against the other. I know this is not what you're doing but it could be misconstrued. The world of academia in a particular field can be small and you will find WHEN, not if (!!) you enter that everybody tends to know each in whatever your area is!

If it were me I would try to wait until about two weeks after you sent your original email and then contact them to see if they have thought further. It's hard to know if they will let you know if they are not interested. My guess is probably not, but then again they did reply so possibly they will. It would be the polite thing to do.

Not much help probably!!

A

Thank you very much for your answer!!! Yes, I was doubtful about contacting also others exactly because of fear of being seen as playing one off against the other and that of course will put me in more troubles.
I think I will follow your suggestion and wait two weeks before going further or contact them back! I'm just in a pre-answer panic, I guess ;)
thank you very much again!!!