Tips for approaching a potential graduate adviser:
Not sure what to write in an email to a researcher whom you're interested in working with? Here are some tips:
Show that you're serious and well qualified.
Give examples of your past experiences, papers you found interesting, research questions you'd like to explore.
It's also helpful to demonstrate that you are familiar with the researcher's work (ie, maybe mention a paper they've published and/or something you've read on their website).
Specify what it is about the researcher's work you're attracted to.
Include why you want a Masters/PhD.
Include what things you'd like to do in graduate school and specifically what you'd like to do in the researcher's lab.
You might also mention what skills you're hoping to gain (ie, statistical modeling, IDing fish, scuba diving, etc).
Show that you're serious and well qualified.
Give examples of your past experiences, papers you found interesting, research questions you'd like to explore.
It's also helpful to demonstrate that you are familiar with the researcher's work (ie, maybe mention a paper they've published and/or something you've read on their website).
Specify what it is about the researcher's work you're attracted to.
Include why you want a Masters/PhD.
Include what things you'd like to do in graduate school and specifically what you'd like to do in the researcher's lab.
You might also mention what skills you're hoping to gain (ie, statistical modeling, IDing fish, scuba diving, etc).