Bhuvana SUNDAR Bagavathi

How to write a letter to a professor stating my interest in pursuing master degree under him?

Dear all,

Greetings!!

I want to write a letter to a foreign University's professor stating I'm interested to pursue master degree in his guidance?

Thanks in advance!!

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Popular Answers (1)

Reaching out to professors is very important when considering graduate school. I once heard a professor say he rarely respond to such emails except to a few. I understand now, most professors are very busy and a sloppy email is equivalent to spam mail.

Therefore, before you send your email you might want to do the following:

  1. I read the current research the professor is working on and make sure his work fits with your career goals.
  2. Prepare a one-page hypothesis-based proposal, that is clear, well-organized, and balanced references. If possible, include a timeline.
  3. Be clear on how you are going to support yourself. if you have applied for fellowships, do not hesitate to state it.
  4. State clearly what new contribution you might offer to the professor's group and how you could benefit from them.
  5. After writing the email, save it as a draft, edit a day later, send it to a friend, ask them to edit. A silly mistake in the email might give a wrong impression.
  6. Include your CV and any publications you have in your email.
  7. If you do not receive a response after a week or two, send a follow-up email reiterating your interest in joining the professor's group.

All Answers (20)

Reaching out to professors is very important when considering graduate school. I once heard a professor say he rarely respond to such emails except to a few. I understand now, most professors are very busy and a sloppy email is equivalent to spam mail.

Therefore, before you send your email you might want to do the following:

  1. I read the current research the professor is working on and make sure his work fits with your career goals.
  2. Prepare a one-page hypothesis-based proposal, that is clear, well-organized, and balanced references. If possible, include a timeline.
  3. Be clear on how you are going to support yourself. if you have applied for fellowships, do not hesitate to state it.
  4. State clearly what new contribution you might offer to the professor's group and how you could benefit from them.
  5. After writing the email, save it as a draft, edit a day later, send it to a friend, ask them to edit. A silly mistake in the email might give a wrong impression.
  6. Include your CV and any publications you have in your email.
  7. If you do not receive a response after a week or two, send a follow-up email reiterating your interest in joining the professor's group.

Edmomd is on the right track here. Faculty does not have the time to read your full proposal and Master degrees are pretty much "set" so either you apply or not.

MRes are different, in essence a Mini-PhD so a one page executive summary of your research (in practice a few sentences) will fit nicely in a professional letter. Think job application and you will know what I mean. Edmond summed it up perfectly so not much to add.

Keep it to one page total, it will increase the likeliness of reply and success.

Best

Roland

Hello Bhuvana - LIke Roland, I think that Edmond has offered some excellent and succinct advice.

Combining the essence of Edmond's Points 1 and 4, I would say, 'Do your homework' on the specific projects and research that you are interested in AND tell a story about this. How might your CV to date, research undertaken, and skill-set make for an interesting 'fit' with the Professor's work.

As well as getting the language and accuracy of your approach right (Edmond's points 2 and 3) also think about the tone. Respectful and informed but not grovelling or too deferential; enthusiastic and purposeful but not over-confident or boastful.

Best wishes.

          Peter

In general I'd say:

Don't think too much. Keep it short and simple.

Be polite.

State your interest. Give a reason.

Ask for help/advice/suggestions...

The Ohio State University

I agree about groveling. There is nothing worse than being told what a wonderful university you work at or how important your research as. As stated before, simply show that you can contribute something. Also, be careful if you really are asking for money. Few professors have money and whatever money there is would probably go to students already enrolled. If you are applying, for example, in the US to a program that offers PHds, you may be at the end of the line. When I was a grad student, such a letter would be better addressed to the admissions office. If you are sincere, you can make contact with the professor after you are accepted. Make sure your letter doesn't sound like it's being sent to many other professors (I have received letters with all these qualities)

That's really a nice question. People always get confuse before sending email to a professor for research supervision. In fact, writing email is very easy if you follow proper guidelines and try to demonstrate that you are a well qualified person for professor's research group. I am sharing two links,

2. Are You Going to Email a Professor for Scholarship? Read These 10 Points

3. 9 Mistakes to Avoid When Emailing a Professor for Scholarship

4. How to Email a Professor for Research Position (From Subject Line to Signature)

These articles are worth reading and very helpful.

  • How to email a pro

    fessor.jpg

     289.35 KB

The Ohio State University

One thing I noticed in a letter I received was "your university," which made it sound like a form letter. It made me reread the email and I realized that there was nothing that make it unique. Adapt the letter to sound like your are addressing a real person.

So far I know, I have followed above all points for convincing a professor for postdoc several times. If I am not wrong, 99% replies were zero (no answer) and from 1% they said sorry. In this case, if anybody knows the ultimate answer please give me. I am trying a postdoc for 15 years on wildlife/poultry, I am most senior on it. Maybe I am ill-fated. These efforts have made me now 44 years age.

Behbahan Khatam Alanbia University of Technology

Don't think too much. Keep it short and simple.

Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology

It is always to do good homework before sending request to the professors. I mean go through their current projects and some of the relevant past papers to get an idea about their research interest.

Clearly state what your research interest and goals during your graduate studies. Send your current resume. It is always good to keep it relevant with your research goals.

Mention how you gonna fund your research or you are seeking scholarship.

ALWAYS KEEP IT SIMPLE AND RELEVANT.

Institute of Space Technology Islamabad

Google it you will find the answer. it is easy to find it

University of Saskatchewan

All you need to do is to follow the guide lines below

Introduction:

The 1st paragraph should give a concise summary of your self including your native country and your name. It must tell you about your achievements, experience, and qualifications relevant to the open position. By addressing the professor's research area, you can also show that you also want to work on one of his research projects in his lab. Moreover, you can give a clue that you are eager to get ay possible PhD/MS opportunities or scholarships in his research or lab group.

Body Paragraph:

In this paragraph, with the consideration of the professor's research area, mention your work experience, skills, and previous research work. The applicant can get a brief overview of the professor's research publications, previous, and current projects by visiting the lab's official website. In order to be a good competitor, you must list all of your achievements and expertise to provide a clear vision about your passion in the professor's research area. Avoid any jargon or slang words, and any kind of complexity.

Last Paragraph:

The last paragraph is supposed to be the last one. In this paragraph, you have to show your enthusiasm, passion, and motivation to work in the professor's research group. Furthermore, you can state what inspires to be a part of this research group or a specific domain.

Closing Statement:

With a polite, requesting, and respectful manner close this paragraph and write a short statement regarding the CV or any other document attached and ask if any document is required. For example, Kindly find the attached document, and would love to provide you further documents if needed. If the process will be manageable, I would look forward to being a part of your research ( project name) in the coming fall.

Proof Reading:

Make sure that you review your email before forwarding it to the professor, it will help you to convey your message in the nicest way.

Introduce yourself

Problem statement

Your request

Thanking

(All concise and short)

🤚🤚

University M'Hamed Bougara of Boumerdes

The point that you should give your highest attention is being fully aware of this professor research activities and outputs, this will help you to find a common area of interest between you and him, and then having the ability to demonstrate how would your set of skills and area of knowledge be useful and beneficial for his research group, if you are able to express how would you bring an impactful contributions to his team, then you will be surely an ideal choice for him

Similar questions and discussions

Why is a potential Ph.D supervisor not answering to an email?

  • Vincenzo Simeone Vincenzo Simeone

9 days ago I e-mailed a potential Ph.D. supervisor after reading about his research interests and publications. The following is the email that I have sent him

" Dear XXXXXX,

I am an XXXXXX student currently pursuing a B.Sc. in Biochemistry at McMaster University, with a current average of XXXXX, graduating in the upcoming spring. Modules covered in my degree include basic biology and chemistry, introductory immunology and virology courses, immunological principles in practice, as well as specific biochemistry courses on metabolism, stem cells, and protein structure and interactions.

I am strongly considering applying for a Ph.D. in Infection and Immunity at UCL. While browsing the Division of Infection and Immunity website, I noticed that your research of interest in T cell cancer Immunotherapy matches my desired area of specialization. In particular, I find the ideas of redirecting T cells against specific tumor malignancies, by using viral vectors to induce expression of TCRs and CARs to target specific antigens, co-stimulation of engineered T cells by cells in normal tissues, and CD3-enhanced T cells extremely fascinating and appealing as potential topics for a Ph.D.

I intend to secure funding either through a UCL or Research Council studentship and would consider self-funding my Ph.D. as an alternative option.

So far, my research experience includes an independent research project as well as a research thesis, which I am currently conducting, in a laboratory of Human Genetics and Mechanisms of Disease, XXXXXXXXXX.

I hope you do not mind my getting in touch, but I would like to enquire about whether you are currently accepting Ph.D. students who are looking to start a Ph.D. in fall 2020.

I am pleased to attach herewith my Academic CV, for your kind consideration, and would be delighted to discuss further details via Skype or by e-mail.

I appreciate your time and help and I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

XXXXXX"

Is there something wrong with this email that may lead the Professor to avoid replying? I feel like I have provided enough information for him to decide whether or not he is interested in me as a member of his team. I also feel like I have shown interest in his research interests. Is it too soon to send a follow-up email inquiring about whether he has read my first email? I don't want to be inappropriate or, even worse, stress him, as I understand faculty members are busy.

Thank you in advance for your answers and help

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