我觉得这个是很务实的做法。因为我套磁每次最后都说I'm interested in working with you. I wish you can favorably consider recruiting me as a phd candidate and support my phd study. 然后感兴趣的教授要么回encourage you to apply and mention my name,要么回I'm waiting for a few grants, once the grants come through, I'd be happy to consider you for a fall position. 一来二去,双方推心置腹,情况都清楚了。依我看,凡是不涉及到How many other universities are you waiting for?的问题,都可以敞开聊。尽力保护信息不对称中自己这边的一点点隐私吧... ..
当然你可以把直接问改成I wish to know whether you can support me for...之类的,我之前回复里说的直接问可能确实突兀了。