This template is a starting point for reaching out to a potential PhD supervisor. The goal is to be concise, professional, and demonstrate genuine interest in their work.
Subject: Prospective PhD Student Inquiry: [Your Research Interest]
Dear Professor [Last Name],
My name is [Your Name], and I am a final-year [Your Major] student at [Your University] / a recent graduate with a [Your Degree]. I am writing to you today because I am preparing to apply to the Computer Science PhD program at [Their University] for Fall [Year], and your research has been a significant influence on my academic interests.
I was particularly inspired by your work on [Mention a specific research area, e.g., "efficient neural network architectures"]. Your 2023 paper, "[Title of a Specific Paper]," was especially insightful for its novel approach to [mention a specific contribution, e.g., "quantization-aware training"]. It directly aligns with my own research aspirations in [Your specific interest, e.g., "developing sustainable AI models for edge devices"].
During my undergraduate studies, I developed a strong foundation in this area, culminating in a project on [Briefly describe a relevant project or experience, e.g., "implementing a pruned transformer model for on-device translation"], which I believe has prepared me for the challenges of doctoral research.
I would be very grateful to know if you are planning to accept new PhD students for the upcoming academic year. I have attached my CV and a brief (1-page) summary of my research interests for your convenience.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to the possibility of discussing my research interests with you further.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Website/LinkedIn/GitHub (Optional)]