Writing cold emails suck

Balancing between the formality of talking to professors with a candid introduction is tricky. The social anxiety of sending an email to a stranger sends shivers down my spine. I’ve sent my fair share of cold emails for starting research projects: here’s what I’ve learned.

Cold Email Alternatives Link to heading

Find a mutual aquaintance Link to heading

Unfortunately for those of us with limited social batteries, networking remains the best way to get to know a stranger. If you know a mutual friend/professor/person who can introduce you, then your likelihood of getting a reply increases tenfold. Just make sure you don’t ask the same person for introductions too many times.

Ask questions about a presentation they gave. Link to heading

Sometimes, a good way to strike up a conversation is to attend a presentation/lecture and follow up with them after (if you’re in-person) or via email. I’ve found people are very open to talking about their recent presentations and that can be a way to wedge you foot in the door.

Take one of their classes and be an active student. Link to heading

This is a long term investment but really is just an extended version of the point above. Ask frequent questions in lecture, attend office hours to speak to them one on one, build a daily/weekly repoire. Professors are people too and the more they know you, the more open they are to working with you.

The Cold Email Link to heading

When you write an email, the first question you should ask is,

What do I want out of this conversation?

Do you want an advisor on a new kind of research? Do you need advice on filling out an application? Are you potentially interested in working with them in graduate school? In the following, I will talk about composing an email with the last intention in mind. Adjustments for specific objectives should be made appropriately.

The most vital pieces of information that I believe should be in this email is:

A basic introduction Link to heading

My name is INSERT_NAME and I am a INSERT_YEAR student at INSERT_COLLEGE.

How you learned about them Link to heading

Did you attend their talks, take one of their classes, or read their published paper? What brought you to their attention?

I attended your talk on INSERT_TOPIC and found its application to INSERT_APPLICATION revolutionary and exciting.

Their specific papers and what interests you about them Link to heading

Show you know something about the topic and not just generically interested. Finding what’s cool about a subject usually requires background reading and/or an awareness of the field of research.

I found your recent paper INSERT_PAPER_TITLE particularly exciting because it INSERT_COOLNESS.

Your own experience in research and how that is relevant Link to heading

Be honest about your experience in the field.

My previous work with INSERT_ADVISOR gave me an insight into INSERT_TOPIC because INSERT_RELEVANCE. If you don’t have any experience, it is best to say it here: While I have not had any experience in working on INSERT_TOPIC, I am looking forward to reading up on. It’s not a bad idea to include a resume but do so only when it feels relevant.

Logistical Details Link to heading

If you are contacting in reference to graduate school, when are you applying? This can help a professor tell if they have the headspace/time/grants to support you.

I plan on applying to INSERT_SCHOOL at INSERT_APPLICATION_SEASON.

If you are contacting to work with them, are you applying to any fellowships? If there’s a chance that a professor doesn’t need to support you financially, that makes it more likely for them to respond.

I am planning on applying to the INSERT_FELLOWSHIP.

Plan of Action Link to heading

Ask for a video call to chat or if you can go onsite, meet in person.

Would you by any chance have time to talk in-person/via video call sometime next week?

Ask about grad students to talk to and follow up with about the group. They are usually quite honest about the research and the atmosphere they work in. It’s a great way to figure out if you actually want to work with them!

I would also love to talk to your students to know more about your group.

Thank them Link to heading

By now you have made quite a long email. If your recipient took the time to read through it all, thank them!

Thank you! Hope to see you soon.

Wrap up Link to heading

I’ve found that following these rules have worked for me, specifically in the context of getting research advisors or making connections over email. I’d like to think that this advice is still relevant to other fields!

Hope it helps!