Communicating with Professors: Sample Emails

1. Be professional! Keep it short and to the point

2. Include: a very brief bio about yourself, a statement about why you are interested in their research, that you would like to find out more about the possibility of working with them, provide your availability to begin, and be sure to ask for an appointment to meet with them.

3. Do not send out template emails. Personalize each one.

4. Limit your emails to 2 faculty within the same department.

5. Wait for a response. 

Dr. (or Professor)_______________,

My name is ______________ and I am a junior majoring in Biology with a minor in Health Advocacy. With exposure through the Lewis Honors College, I have become increasingly interested in undergraduate research, which is why I was so excited when you lectured Dr. Speck’s PGY206 class and presented your research lab. As an aspiring Physician’s Assistant with shadowing experience in Orthopedics, and as a former volleyball player with a personal interest in weight lifting and fitness, I believe that understanding the mechanisms of muscle

hypertrophy would overall be very rewarding. 

I would greatly appreciate an opportunity to discuss the possibility of my involvement in your research. I am more than willing to commit for the spring semester and summer session of 2018 at the least. Please let me know when you may be available. Thank you for your consideration, I look forward to hearing back from you.

Regards,

Your name

Student ID

Phone

Email

Dear Professor X:

My name is (your name), and I am very interested in becoming involved in research in Subject Area. I am a student at the University of Kentucky majoring in (major). I have:

• Taken the following courses related to Subject Area...

• Have had the following related experiences...

• My goal is to...

I have reviewed your faculty research profile and am interested in the work that you have done. I was intrigued by your journal article "Article Title." (Provide reaction to article/area of research with specific references). I would like to get involved in research in this area because it will help me to better prepare for my long-term goals of…

Would it be possible to meet with you to further discuss (topic) and my possible involvement in research under your guidance? Here is my availability for the next two weeks (give several days and times that you’re available). I appreciate your consideration and look forward to hearing from you.

Respectfully,

Your name

Student ID

Phone

Email

NOTE: Sample email from UCLA student but would equate to a 395 course at UK

Dear Dr. Bruin,

I am a first-year UCLA undergraduate student majoring in Psychology. I wish to enroll in the Student Research Program (SRP) 99 Contract Course administered by the Undergraduate Research Center–Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences. The program offers course units for research completed under the guidance of a UCLA faculty mentor.

I see by your faculty page that your research and teaching interests include stress in the workplace, and I recently read your article in Psychology Research entitled “Stress Analysis in the Workplace.”My research interests focus on the psychological impact of driving in Los Angeles, and I would like to explore how individual commutes could be a possible ‘upstream’ cause of workplace stress.

I would greatly appreciate an opportunity to meet with you to discuss the possibility of enrolling in an SRP 99 research course with you for the upcoming quarter. I am available on Tuesdays and Fridays after 2:00 p.m. for a meeting or interview. Please find my CV attached for your review. 

I appreciate your time and consideration.

Respectfully,

Student’s Name

Student ID

Phone

Email

Dear Dr. (or Professor),

My name is __________________and I am currently a (year in school) here at the University of Kentucky majoring in (major) . Since coming to the University, I have become increasingly interested in getting involved in medical research. My ultimate goal is to become a pediatric doctor and I feel that participating in undergraduate research is a great way to gain further understanding of what being a doctor and working towards finding solutions to major medical issues is all about.

This semester I am a Chellgren Fellow, which has pushed me to get even more involved in research. As a Chellgren Fellow, we are prompted to get involved in research by finding a research mentor for the upcoming spring semester. I have attached a letter giving more details about the research aspect of the Fellowship from the professor in charge of the program.

I would love to meet with you to discuss the possibility of being involved in your research. Please let me know when you may be available. I truly look forward to hearing back from you. 

Sincerely,

Student’s Name

Student ID

Phone

Email