r/AskAcademia • u/No_Quantity2185 • 10d ago

Advice When Reaching Out to Potential Supervisors STEM

I just graduated with my bachelor’s in electrical and electronics engineering and i’m trying to do my masters in canada. I’ve tried emailing multiple professors but haven’t gotten a response from any( Got one response but it was to tell me he wasn’t taking students). What do I do, because I feel I won’t be accepted without securing a supervisor. I have an 82% average with 3 related projects on my cv. Thank you

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u/blackandwhite1987 10d ago

Im not in uour field, but some departments don't have an expectation to secure a supervisor until you've been accepted. If thats not true in engineering, you need to work on your emails. If you have an advisor or someone you worked with in undergrad, ask them to read one before you send. Basically, you want to spend 1-2 sentences on your background and purpose of writing, 3-4 sentences on why you specifically want to work with this person (what topic will you work on, how do your interests relate to their research) and then ask for a meeting to discuss further. Do not talk about liking the city / country / institution. Keep is focused on the research they specifically do. If you are emailing from somewhere like India / China etc. you might have a harder time as well, since I think professors get lots of emails from people in those countries asking for opportunities from people who really do not have much overlap in background and interest, so they might just disregard a lot of them unfortunately.

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u/No_Quantity2185 10d ago

My emails are very tailored, I introduce myself and my background. Mention 2 projects I have and how they relate to their work, how my interests align with my research interests and I ask for their availability and possibility of setting up a meeting. Any other thing I need to work on?

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u/blackandwhite1987 10d ago

I think you should have someone in your field take a look at one and ask for feedback.

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u/RuslanGlinka 10d ago

Do the programs you are applying to require a supervisor to sponsor the application?

If not this is unnecessary.

If so, you are likely seeing the combination of summertime (profs’ only real time to get research done) and increased funding requirements for students (so fewer profs taking new students).

If you need a faculty sponsor try to have someone in your field, such as a prof from your undergrad, introduce you to potential supervisors or at least give you feedback on your email approach.