how to email your professor

​A past professor encouraged us to reformat our emails to busy supervisors. Often we start with pleasantries, and hide our true purpose for emailing in a body of text or at the bottom of the email. Get to the point with these templates.

​To continue reading, click below. 

To an advisor: 
---------------------
​Dr. XYZ,

Hope you had a good (weekend, holiday, vacation, week). I’d like to schedule a meeting with you to discuss my (plans after graduation, course schedule, research project). I can set it up with your assistant if that is easiest.
 
Thanks,
Your First Name
---------------------

Cold calling or networking: 
---------------------
Dr. XYZ,
​
I enjoyed your recent article, “Title” in (Journal). I graduated from University of Y in YEAR and have been working at Company A on topic z the past few years. I’d like to set up a time to discuss your (career path, research opportunities) in person (over the phone). 

Thanks for your time,
Your Full Name
​
Signature with credentials and contact information 
​---------------------

---

Another tip is to write out your email draft as you normally would, then re-reading it, realize that the last sentence is the most important, cut and paste it to the beginning, then send.

That's all folks.
​BD

Related Blog Posts

getting to know your advisor

tips for writing in grad school

getting the most out of conferences part 1