College applications are coming up, and you want to stand out. Strong grades and test scores matter, but colleges also look for well-rounded students with a genuine passion for learning and a drive to contribute. So how do you show those qualities beyond the classroom? Research experience and internships are one good answer. This guide covers how cold emails can open up research opportunities, strengthen your resume, and help you work toward that acceptance.
What is a cold email?
A cold email is a first email you send to someone you haven’t met or had much contact with. It’s a way to introduce yourself, express your interest in something, and potentially start a new connection. Unlike reaching out to people you already know, cold emails take more effort and planning, but they can be a powerful tool for high school students.
Often, high schoolers lack effective channels of communication to the professional and academic world
How to use cold emails
As a high school student, cold emails can help you explore your academic and professional interests. Here are some of the benefits:
- Research opportunities: You can connect with professors or researchers whose work matches your interests and ask about projects you could contribute to. It’s a great way to gain hands-on experience in a field you care about, and you can use that experience to prepare for science fairs or publish your work in real journals. Here is Rishab’s guide on how to get a research mentor. It’s geared toward science fairs, but it’s still useful.
- Internships: Reaching out to companies or organizations can open doors to internships that give you hands-on experience in your field. Internships help you build professional skills, learn about career paths, and strengthen your resume for college and future jobs. With traditional job applications, you’re likely to be filtered out by applicant tracking systems (ATS) since you aren’t in college yet. Rishab has a video guide on more ways of getting internships.
- Information gathering: Contacting professionals in your field is a good way to ask questions, learn about career paths, and gain insight. It can help you explore your options, make informed decisions about your studies and goals, and build connections with people who can offer guidance.
Guidelines for cold emails
For a detailed template and other opportunities, check out Rishab’s STEM Student Guide. It is completely free.
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- Subject line: Keep it concise and clear, stating why you’re contacting the recipient.
- Greeting: Use a formal salutation like “Dr./Mr./Ms. Last Name”.
- Introduction: Briefly introduce yourself, state your year in high school, and mention your academic interests or goals. Make sure they relate to how this person can help you.
- Body: Explain why you’re reaching out, highlighting specific parts of the recipient’s work or organization that resonate with you. Briefly mention your relevant skills or experiences.
- Ask: Clearly state your request, whether it’s an informational interview, an internship inquiry, or a research opportunity. Keep it specific and reasonable.
- Closing: Thank the recipient for their time and provide your contact information so they can reach you.
Best practices for sending cold emails
- Research thoroughly: Before sending an email, learn as much as you can about the recipient and their work. This shows genuine interest and helps you tailor your message. You can find information through their professional websites, social media, or university/company pages.
- Proofread carefully: Make sure your email is free of typos and grammatical errors. It shows professionalism and attention to detail.
- Demonstrate skills: Attach your resume to the email. I wrote a detailed post on how to craft an effective resume.
- Be concise and respectful: Keep your email brief and to the point while staying professional and respectful. Avoid informal language or jokes.
- Follow up: If you don’t hear back after a week, send a polite follow-up. Don’t be pushy. I wouldn’t recommend more than one or two follow-ups if you don’t get an initial response.
You will probably end up sending 20+ emails before you are successful. Hold your head high throughout the process, and know that you only need one person to respond positively.
Takeaways
Cold emails are an effective way to explore your interests and build connections. Persistence and professionalism are key. In my experience, you won’t get a positive response most of the time, and sometimes no response at all. You’ll probably send 20+ emails before one works out. Hold your head high, and remember you only need one person to say yes. The experience of crafting your message and reaching out is valuable in itself. Be confident, stay positive, and keep learning.
Conclusion
More resources and opportunities below:
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About Eashan Iyer:
I am a founding member of The Qurios Institute and an incoming student at Brown University. In 2023, I co-authored a research paper in the field of theoretical physics. I am also an Eagle Scout and a senior at The Academy for Mathematics, Science, and Engineering in Rockaway, NJ. Learn more about me on LinkedIn.
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