<p>I couldn't find any threads/portions of threads about this, so I started one. </p>
<p>If I have a huge interest to go to a specific school, and I want to contact a professor, what do I say to them? Like just that I think their research is interesting, I would love to help in their lab, etc. or what? Or do I ask questions about what their department offers, through internships, research ops, relationship with hospitals, etc? or just all the above?</p>
<p>I’m a professor. If my kid were to ask me this, my question to them would be “well, why do YOU want to contact the professor?” The answer to that question will tell you what to put in your email! </p>
<p>Not that you should be discouraged! It can be a good idea sometimes. But I get a sense from your post that you have been told it’s a good idea to contact a professor, but you have no personal reason for doing so. </p>
<p>Please don’t contact professors for strategic reasons. If you have a legitimate, authentic question, then great, ask it. If you don’t, you are just wasting someone’s time and it’s not appreciated. Relatedly, I would not ask questions you can find for yourself. Most of what you are asking above is likely already on their department website.</p>