<p>I'm looking to get some experience with research within my department and in the past I've tried going about by shooting off emails to professors whose research interested me. You know, the usual name, year, major, why I'm interested in doing research, why I chose to email them, a list of topics or topic that I found interesting that they were engaged in and would like to help. I just don't seem to be snagging any fish with my reel.
They pretty much go unanswered despite repeated attempts. What am I doing wrong? Should I just keep trying? Or perhaps instead of emailing I could just skip straight to tracking them down and talking to them directly (its hard to find office hours if they even have any for professors you aren't in a class with). I'm not interested in doing URAP as I don't want to go through the application process. Thanks! </p>
<p>You’re doing fine. Just make sure that you’re only sending e-mails to the research that truly sounds interesting to you. You don’t need to go far to say you would like to help. Simply send an e-mail that you like the research and you would like to make a time to meet together and talk about it. When you are talking in person, then you can ask if there is any way you can participate.</p>
<p>I have had success with emailing and simply stating that I would like some research experience and asking them if they currently have any need for an RA. I have only done this with professors that I have taken classes with so that May have helped. My emails usually look like this:</p>
<p>Hi Professor XYZ,</p>
<p>I am writing you to see if you have any need for a research assistant now or in the near future. I am currently in my X year as a Y major and hope to gain some research experience prior to graduating. Please let me know if there are any opportunities available. Thank you.</p>