<p>What should I ask him? I have a list of potential questions but ultimately, isn't the primary reason why you're asking him is to find out whether or not he will take you? I am a mechanical engineer so I don't even know if this practice is more practical for my field. </p>
<p>Did anyone have successful correspondence with professor and would like to share how they did it????</p>
<p>When I contacted the PI I worked with through grad school, this was the basic format I used:</p>
<p>1) Introduce myself – My name is X, I’m studying this at this school, here’s some research I’ve been involved in
2) YR WERK IS AWESOME LOL. I read some of their papers and mentioned specific discussion points from these papers. It’s far more impressive to say “I am interested in your conclusion that female rats will more readily forgo food for cocaine” than “I read your work and it is good!”
3) Just mention wanting to meet with them/speak with them over the phone first. </p>
<p>What is on your list of questions?</p>
<p>Thanks! you’re suggestions are quite helpful.</p>
<p>Some of my questions include</p>
<ul>
<li>are there any openings in your lab</li>
<li>are you looking to take in new students</li>
<li>how many spots are available</li>
</ul>
<p>if you don’t mind me asking, what is your field?</p>