I don't know enough about geosciences to know the intricacies. Do you go straight into someone's lab? If you do, then probably contacting professors is crucial since you'll arrive having pretty much already joined that person's lab. If you have to do rotations, maybe not.
And to answer your original question, then you'd want to write a bit about some potential research topics you'd like to work on, if you have experience in research talk about it a bit. Basically a really parred down SOP. "I <3 your research, here's what I've done before, here's what I hope to do, please pick me if you have time/money/space"
I wouldn't say anything too passionate about their research. A lot of the faculty I've talked to on that matter say it's really important to sell yourself in connection with their research, but not to sound like you're in love with what they do because I guess it comes off as creepy.
Is it ok to write smth like this: "Dear professor so-and-so, I am interesting in your research, I want to apply to your department, are you looking for new students? Here is my background: so-and-so. Sincerely, me".
Make sure you check your spelling and grammar and don't use abbreviations or chat speak.
For example, what you said above should say: Is it ok to write something like this: "Dear Professor so-and-so, I am interested in your research, and I want to apply to your department, are you looking for new students? Here is my background: so-and-so. Sincerely, me"
I'd hold off on writing much about your background other than your research interests until you get a reply and know the professor is interested.
I don't think she was literally going to send that exact text to the department - she was more looking for information about the kind of content to include in the e-mail.
I know, just cautioning her to be sure to proofread and use formal language. I find a lot of people don't think of this.
Perhaps I am just thinking too much about the students in the class I TA who would send me an e-mail with errors like that and that level of informality. They are making me believe that a large percentage of undergrads don't know how to e-mail a professor/TA/person in a position of authority.
When you write an e-mail to a professor it should focus more on them than on you.
You can tell a little about your background, but limit it to what research you've done and your research interests (they don't care about your test scores or GPA, that'll be in your application). The most important thing is to link it to THEIR research.
It should be more like: "Dear Professor, I am ___ from ___ and I am interested in your research. Here are two sentences about my own research interests, and I think that they fit in with your research this way in these four sentences. What are you currently working on? Are you looking to take on new students next year? Sincerely, me."
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"I <3 your research, here's what I've done before, here's what I hope to do, please pick me if you have time/money/space"
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Is it ok to write smth like this:
"Dear professor so-and-so,
I am interesting in your research, I want to apply to your department, are you looking for new students? Here is my background: so-and-so.
Sincerely,
me".
Make sure you check your spelling and grammar and don't use abbreviations or chat speak.
For example, what you said above should say:
Is it ok to write something like this:
"Dear Professor so-and-so,
I am interested in your research, and I want to apply to your department, are you looking for new students? Here is my background: so-and-so.
Sincerely,
me"
I'd hold off on writing much about your background other than your research interests until you get a reply and know the professor is interested.
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Perhaps I am just thinking too much about the students in the class I TA who would send me an e-mail with errors like that and that level of informality. They are making me believe that a large percentage of undergrads don't know how to e-mail a professor/TA/person in a position of authority.
Reply
Reply
Reply
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You can tell a little about your background, but limit it to what research you've done and your research interests (they don't care about your test scores or GPA, that'll be in your application). The most important thing is to link it to THEIR research.
It should be more like: "Dear Professor, I am ___ from ___ and I am interested in your research. Here are two sentences about my own research interests, and I think that they fit in with your research this way in these four sentences. What are you currently working on? Are you looking to take on new students next year? Sincerely, me."
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