“Can I send cold emails to professors and get opportunities?” This is a question I hear from high school students. The short answer is: Yes, sending cold emails to professors can indeed lead to opportunities such as research positions, internships, or mentorships. However, cold emailing can be a powerful tool only if it’s done correctly.

Before considering this step, ensure that the student is ready and capable of taking advantage of such an opportunity. This means having the skills and ability to work alongside graduate students in a lab or understanding the topic well enough to start contributing immediately. If not, the student must first acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to follow along and participate in the field.

Generic cold emails are a waste of time. Spraying a templatized message to every prospect won’t do the trick. A carefully crafted, professional-looking email with concise, specific, and compelling reasons is crucial.

• Personalization: Personalized emails tend to perform much better. Tailoring your email to the professor’s research interests and showing genuine enthusiasm can significantly increase your chances of getting a response.
• Professionalism: Crafting a concise, professional, and specific email is essential. Professors receive numerous emails daily, so making yours stand out with a clear and compelling message is crucial.

Sending cold emails to professors can be a bit of a gamble. However, despite the potential frustration, it’s definitely possible to land an opportunity if you approach it the right way. Here are some key statistics to be aware of:

• Open Rates: On average, about 20% of cold emails are opened. This means that nearly 1 in 5 emails you send might be read by the recipient.
• Response Rates: The average response rate for cold emails is around 7%. So, out of 100 emails, you might get about 7 responses. Those responses could sometimes be denials. So not all responses are positive.
• Follow-Up: Sending follow-up emails can boost your response rate by up to 20%. Persistence, without being too pushy, can make a big difference.

While the overall success rate might seem low, focusing on quality and being strategic in your approach can improve your odds. Here are some key tips to increase your chances of success:

• Research the Professor: Understand their work and interests. Tailor your email to show genuine interest in their research.
• Craft a Compelling Subject Line: Make it brief, relevant, and specific to catch their attention.
• Ensure Your Message is Concise and Professional: Keep your email short and to the point. Attach or link to any relevant documents.

Learn from real-life examples of students who, after completing the Emerging Innovators Research Program and publishing their research, successfully used cold emails to unlock valuable opportunities. Their success was due to their demonstrated knowledge, research skills, compelling reasons, and the inclusion of links to their research publications.

1. C. Chang: Identified professors working in the same field as his completed research. He sent out about 80 emails and received 6 responses, 4 of which were denials. Out of the remaining two, only one from Duke University materialized. He actively participated in the lab for two weeks over the summer. (College attending: UC Berkeley)
2. P. Akella: Secured a two-week summer opportunity at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory. This area of work aligned with the methodology and focus of his previously completed research. (College attending: UC LA)
3. K. Garg: After sending several emails, she landed two opportunities. One was at the Space Lab at Arizona State University for remote lab work, and the other was at The Stark Lab at Villanova University. Both opportunities were in line with the scientific research methodology she had already pursued. (College attending: Stanford)

NOTE: All of these opportunities were not advertised summer programs for high schoolers. They were unadvertised laboratory research work primarily for graduate students.

In conclusion, sending cold emails to professors can be an effective way for high school students to secure research positions, internships, or mentorships. Success, however, depends on the quality and personalization of the emails. While the process may seem daunting and the success rates might appear low, persistence and strategic efforts can lead to valuable and enriching experiences.

If you’re eager to expand your knowledge and skills through our Emerging Innovators Research Program, visit this page to get started. This is your chance to write your compelling story and discover more opportunities.