Samples
RESUME FORMAT, EMAIL FORMAT, AND PROFESSORS WHO HAVE ACCEPTED STUDENTS
RESEARCH GUIDE
1) FIND PROFESSORS
- Start by doing your own research; look into labs on campus through department ((subject).unt.edu/research) and figure out what they do.
- faculty.unt.edu - Faculty Search
- biology.unt.edu/research - Biology Research Website
- chemistry.unt.edu/research - Chemistry Research Website
- physics.unt.edu/research - Physics Research Website
- [insert subject].unt.edu/research - Research in a Specific Subject
- faculty.unt.edu - Faculty Search
- Even if you have an area you think you are interested in, you should explore different fields because you might be surprised.
- Research is not only in math and science; although we are a math and science school, there are other disciplines that research can be done in.
- Short list a few professors that you are most interested in working with and read some of their publications to find out specific information their research.
- Keep a short summary of the main idea of their research and two or three publications, so you are knowledgeable about their work when you contact them
Finding their papers:
- Look on the professor's webpage
- Google Scholar or Research Gate (search keyword)
- library.unt.edu
- Read the abstract and conclusion!
- This is often the only thing needed to get a good understanding of the paper
- This is often the only thing needed to get a good understanding of the paper
- You don't need to understand every word/method/formula
- Understand the main idea first, and then the paper becomes much easier to read
2) CREATING A RESUME
Providing a Resume/CV to professors:
- Whenever you email a professor or go to meet them in person make sure you either attach a copy of your resume/CV or take a copy with you for them
- Keep it limited to about one page front and back, and include things that would be relevant for the professor to evaluate your skills and work ethic
- Make a list of all activities/awards you have done in the last couple years and narrow them to down to a few based on what you think might be relevant for a professor to look at and might find interesting.
- Include a description about what you achieved and what your duties consisted of for past research, projects, working, etc. instead of just stating the achievement
- Add a description of the award to add some context about how relevant and competitive it is.
3) EMAILING PROFESSORS
To-do: before the email
- Find out what you specifically would like to accomplish in that lab
- Read several of the desired professor’s publications, and create a good understanding of what he/she does
- Pinpoint what specifically in their work do you enjoy/ interests you the most
- Send an email following the template linked to the button below or another similar template
Email template (click the button):
- After emailing a professor, wait two or three days and send a follow-up if you receive no reply; some professors are very busy and may your email
- If one professor doesn't reply to your email or says they don't have space available in their lab, don't get discouraged; keep moving forward and email another professor on your shortlist