Is mass emailing faculty at school the best way to gain a research position ?

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I have been mass emailing faculty at my school for a research position. Most have said they are too busy or have not responded. I am using quality emails with a very good and tailored writing style.

Is this the reccomended way to go about it or am I missing something ?

 

[AJS59]

I have been mass emailing faculty at my school for a research position. Most have said they are too busy or have not responded. I am using quality emails with a very good and tailored writing style.

Is this the reccomended way to go about it or am I missing something ?

It's certainly a strategy, but I would probably start with professors you've had in class before. Personal connections = more likely to get help

 

[ntds]

Call them.

Let's face it. Some professors don't even reply to current student emails unless it's mission critical.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

It is common that a department faculty research social event is organized whether it's from the chair of the department, the dean of the college, the office of student research, or the student club for majors (biology club, chemistry club, etc.). It's possible you didn't know and missed your opportunities to TALK to faculty members about the research opportunities they offer.

The chair has a better idea about the funding situations of the department faculty. Talk with them about what you should do. Otherwise, go to their offices during office hours and TALK with them.

We have written a lot on this subject. Read

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[Z_C]

Most people are busy, but yes emailing faculty and asking if they have availability for undergraduate researchers is the best way. Show interest, mention recently published papers on which they are last (corresponding) author that interest you. Another route would be to email their senior graduate students if they are listed on laboratory websites and ask if they are looking for undergraduate mentees and mention specific projects they are working on, you will still need the faculty to have available positions but this may help you to get your foot in the door. In my opinion it's not productive to call people on the phone. Like, do you answer random numbers that call you?.

 

[ClashRoyaleKing]

Cold emailing is how I got my position!

 

[eigen]

Cold emailing can work, but I usually open applications when I have room in my lab.

For context, I usually get about 5-6 interested students for every one I can take. So I'm usually looking for students who have experience or skills already (usually from classes), who have a particularly good "mission fit" with my lab (i.e., want to go to grad school in this area of research), and ideally those that I've either had in a lab course already (so I know what they're like) or where I can get a recommendation for a colleague.

An undergrad researcher, even one in an unpaid position, is a significant cost to the lab in terms of mentoring/supervision time and reagents under even the best circumstances. And most of us have had a student not listen to instructions and cause thousands of dollars (or more) of damage, so we know that the worst circumstances can be pretty bad.

I'm skeptical of mass emails, because it's unlikely that there are that many labs at your school where you have a particularly good fit combining skills, experience/expertise, and interest that ties into your future goals. You may be better served by spending more time finding labs that are a good fit and you have connections to.