1. Subject Line
- Clear and specific (e.g., PhD Supervision Inquiry – Animal Breeding & Genetics)
- Avoid vague subjects like “Request” or “Application”
2. Greeting
- Use Dear Professor [Last Name]
- Avoid “Hi” or first names unless they explicitly prefer it
3. Opening (Who You Are)
- Introduce yourself (Full name)
- Current degree program + university
- Brief mention of your research focus/thesis (1 sentence)
4. Academic Background & Achievements
- Highlight degree performance (e.g., First Class GPA 4.59/5.00)
- Mention publications (with number or link to profile)
- Include 1–2 key skills relevant to their research (e.g., statistical genetics, bioinformatics tools, R, Python)
5. Fit with Their Research
- Mention a specific area/project/paper of theirs you admire
- Connect it with your own research interests or skills
- State why you want to join their lab (not just any lab)
6. Clear Ask
- Politely ask if they are accepting graduate students for [year]
- Express willingness to contribute to their ongoing research
7. Attachments
- Attach CV (always)
- Attach transcripts (optional, but strongly recommended)
- Mention attachments in the email body
8. Closing
- Thank them for their time and consideration
- Add your full name, email, and phone number
✅ Rule of Thumb: Keep the whole email under 300 words → 3–5 short paragraphs.
