Helpful article on contacting professors

[molliebatmit]

<p>I saw [this</a> article](<a href=“http://insidehighered.com/workplace/2006/11/28/hargittai]this”>http://insidehighered.com/workplace/2006/11/28/hargittai) linked from another forum today, and I thought it might be helpful for people who want to contact professors in their intended programs.</p>

<p>The q-and-d version of her advice –

Paying attention to the following should optimize your chances of receiving a response to your emails to unknown people:</p>

<p>Descriptive subject line
Polite point-of-contact
Succinct statement of the message’s purpose
Brief introduction of yourself
Acknowledging other attempts at finding an answer or solution
Restatement of question
Gratitude for assistance

I’m not sure if anybody is still in the “contacting profs” stage, but at least this should be useful for posterity. (And, for sure, the need to contact professors doesn’t stop once you get into and choose a program!)</p>

[DespSeekPhd]

<p>Nice article - thanks for posting it. it makes me feel better about the emails I sent when applying - I guess I did it right after all!</p>