PROFESSOR OUTREACH · 5 MIN READ
Write a professor email worth reading
A useful research inquiry is concise, specific, and grounded in a real academic connection.
Read before you write
Review the group’s work and recent publications. Confirm the person’s current institution and whether the program encourages supervisor contact.
Make the connection concrete
Mention a specific research topic and connect it to one relevant project, skill, or question of your own. Avoid broad flattery.
Ask one clear question
Explain your degree and intake, then ask whether the professor anticipates relevant supervision opportunities or recommends an application path.
Track and personalize follow-ups
Record when you sent the email. Follow the program’s stated guidance and avoid sending repeated messages too close together. Never imply a reply is an offer.