Cold-emailing a professor can feel like yelling into the void. You’ve pinpointed your field of interest, done the research on the lab and professor you want to work with, and yet—there’s so much uncertainty. You don’t know what the response will be, or if you’ll even get one at all. You don’t know if the void will yell back, or if your voice will simply disappear.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t maximize your chances. After crafting and sending a few emails, I started to see what actually makes a difference—and it’s not just about hitting “send.”
The most helpful thing I did was take the time to really understand each professor’s research. Not just skimming their lab website, but actually reading one or two of their articles, noting specific projects, methods, or themes that stood out to me. I also looked through the “People” page to see who was working on what, and whose areas I might be drawn to.
This helped in two major ways: first, I could write a more meaningful, personal email that didn’t sound like it just followed a template. And second, I could better gauge whether I actually wanted to work in that particular lab. It’s not just about getting research—it’s about doing work you find cool, exciting, and worth your time. Aligning your interests with the lab’s focus is key to deciding who to reach out to.
That alignment is also what professors care about. A good cold email isn’t about proving how impressive you are. It’s about showing that you’ve done your homework, that you’re genuinely interested in their work, and that you’re already thinking about how you can contribute. Professors are busy, but they’re also teachers and researchers—they appreciate thoughtful outreach and authentic enthusiasm.
It also helped me to think from their perspective: Why would mentoring me be worth their time? That’s not a scary question—it’s one you can (and should) answer in your email. What can you bring to the lab, even if you’re new to research? Maybe it’s being organized, curious, a fast learner, or simply willing to support whatever the team needs. Showing initiative and openness to learning goes a long way.
When I reached out to Professor Kenneth Norman and Dr. Augustin Hennings—my current research mentors—I tried to make those values clear. I mentioned that I had written about the Computational Memory Lab in one of my Princeton application essays, and explained how my early interest in PTSD and memory had shaped my high school research on whether recalling positive memories could enhance creativity. I expressed my interest in taking that curiosity further and contributing to their work.
I contacted Professor Norman in my first-year fall semester. I revised a few details based on the original email I sent, but here’s an example of a cold email:
Subject: Research Opportunity
Dear Professor Norman,
I hope this email finds you well. My name is Angel Toasakul, a first-year undergraduate student majoring in neuroscience. I’m particularly interested in doing research on the human memory and very impressed by your lab. In fact, I wrote about your lab in my Princeton application essay when I answered “Why Princeton?’ question—so it’s a real honor to be reaching out now.
I’ve had experience doing cognitive neuroscience research in high school, in which I explored whether recalling positive memory through psychologically induced protocol can increase creativity level in research subjects. However, the idea that drew me to do research on the human memory initially was the complexity of PTSD and how profoundly memory can shape our perception, behavior, and well-being. I worked with a neurologist, psychologists, and researchers on this project for almost two years. Learning more about memory has only deepened my curiosity, and I’m eager to explore this further during my time at Princeton.
Although I haven’t had experience in computational neuroscience yet, I’m excited by the possibility of using models and algorithms to study memory. I’d love the chance to learn more and contribute to your lab in any way I can.
If you or a member of your lab is open to discussing undergraduate research opportunities, I would be truly grateful for the chance to connect. I’m happy to meet when is best for you. Thank you so much for your time, and I look forward to hearing back from you!
Best,
Angel
And even if a professor doesn’t respond after all this effort, it’s still worth it. You’ve taken initiative. You’ve explored your interests. You’ve learned more about the research happening around you.
It’s also important to remember that sometimes the outcome depends on timing and resources. Some labs prefer to onboard sophomores who are taking lab courses, while others prioritize juniors and seniors working on independent projects. Some labs value giving opportunities to undergraduates more than others. But when everything aligns, you’ll find a lab that matches your interests and helps you grow. Cold emailing is only the first step to making that happen.
— Angel Toasakul, Natural Sciences Correspondent
