<p>If I found a professor whom I really want to work with, then should I call or email him/her? </p>
<p>And if I email the professor, how formal should I be and what should I say?</p>
<p>Same question for phone call: what should I say?</p>
<p>By the way, I'm a freshman.</p>
<p>I don't think calling is a good idea. This is how I've done it through email and gotten positive results...</p>
<p>Dear Dr. X,</p>
<p>My name is __________. I am a (year in school and major) here at UC Berkeley. I've been looking over your research interests and they have interested me to the point at which I've decided I'd like to work in your lab as a research assistant.</p>
<p>Second paragraph: Discuss any previous research experience in relevant areas. Skipt it if you don't have past experience.</p>
<p>Third paragraph: Academic qualifications. List relevant course work, professor, and grade received. Example: Chemistry 1A w/ Dr. O (A+.) You may also want to list your GSIs name. Also practical qualifications. Volunteer to work with underprivileged kids in high school? Education professors would like that. Not all fields have practical qualifications which you can talk about.</p>
<p>Fourth paragraph: </p>
<p>WHY are you interested in working with this particular faculty member? Do you want to go to grad school in his or her field? Do you at least think you do? Let her or him know. </p>
<p>Fifth paragraph:</p>
<p>Thank you for reading. I look forward to hearing from you.</p>
<p>(nice word)</p>
<p>(your first and last names)</p>
<p>Thank you.</p>
<p>don't forget to compliment on that person's research. if possible read one of his/her paper and comment on it. (ur XXX is a breakthrough, i'm really interested to learn more about xxx) and if you attend talks regularly, mention one of the talk that is related to his/her research. and finally, keep it short, cuz prof might just forward to a postdoc or graduate student, and being in lab all these years, i hate to read a long email when im workign 10 hrs a day.</p>
<p>That's also good advice, just make sure you don't seem like you're begging to work in the lab.</p>