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Tips

 

 

Example of Letter

Hello Dr. _______,
 
I’m in my final year as a ____ major at ____, where I have been working in the lab of Dr. ___ ___. My research has focused on genetic plasticity in brown anole lizards (see attached CV). I’m planning to apply to PhD programs this Fall, and I’m very interested in the possibility of working in your lab with the Department of Biological Sciences at Auburn University. I read your recent paper on ___, and I found your approach to be very exciting.
 
I was hoping you might tell me whether you are plan-ning to take new students in your lab in Fall 2022. I’d also be interested in any other information or advice you have.
 
[Possibly add a few more lines here about your back-ground and interests.]
 
Sincerely,___ ____
 

It's always a good idea to attach a CV with your email as well. Your CV is the best place to provide additional details about your skills, academic performances and other experience. Your goal is to stand out from the crowd, so you should include anything relevant that will be impressive (e.g., “3 years of intensive Python programming experience”, presentations at conferences, and awards in any area)

 

Tips for Contacting Prospective Faculty Sponsors 

 Tips for Faculty Sponsors

 

When you meet with your potential advisor, you are trying to figure out three things:
  1. Do your interests align with the work in the group?
  2. Would you work well with this advisor?
  3. Is the cultural of the group what you are looking for?

Meeting with your potential advisor and students in the lab will help you get as much specific information as possible. When you leave the interview, you want to be able to picture what it would be like to work in that group and work with that professor.


Questions to Consider Asking Your Potential Advisor

  1. What are the current projects going on in your group? How do you see a new student fitting into these projects? 
  2. What is the onboarding process like? Are there materials I will use or will I rely mostly on you and the more senior students?
  3. Are you available throughout the week or do you typically meet with students at a regular meeting?
  4. How do you measure progress?
  5. What is the timeline for most students in your group?
  6. What do you expect students to accomplish in their first year? By the time they graduate? (This could be number of publications, leading a project or something else.) 
  7. Are your students involved in any specific organizations?
  8. How would you describe the cultural of the group?
  9. What do you do to support the culture of the group?
  10. How many hours per week do students in your group typically work?
  11. Is your supervision style more hands-on or hands-off?
  12. Is funding available for travel if our work gets accepted?
 

Questions to Consider Asking the Students

  1. Do you like the lab environment?
  2. What do you work on?
  3. What does that work look like day to day? What tools do you use?
  4. What projects did you work on when you first started? 
  5. How did you learn the tools, skills, concepts and procedures you needed to do your work?
  6. What classes have you taken or which ones would you recommend?
  7. What does the cycle of your work look like? Are there times of the year that are busier than others?
  8. What are your normal working hours?
  9. How much support do you get from the advisor?
  10. Do you have other mentors available to you?
  11. Do you like Auburn and the surrounding areas?