If the meeting goes well and you're both interested in moving forward... congratulations! You're officially on your way to becoming a st
udent researcher!
You might be invited to begin right away. Other times, faculty may ask you to follow up later in the semester, or once space opens up in the lab or project.
P.S. Don't worry if it's not a good fit or you don't hear back! This is still valuable learning opportunity. Keep reaching out, stay curious, and don’t get discouraged. Nevertheless, be sure to follow up with a thank-you email.
After your meeting, it’s a good idea to send a short thank-you email. This shows professionalism and keeps the conversation going.
Here’s what to include:
Thank them for their time and the opportunity to talk
Mention something specific you appreciated or learned from the conversation
Restate your interest in working with them
Confirm any next steps (if discussed)
Sample Email:
Subject: Thank You
Dear Professor [Last Name],
Thank you for taking the time to meet with me earlier today. I really enjoyed learning more about your current projects and the work being done in your lab.
Our conversation helped me better understand how my interests in [your interest area] might align with your research. I’m very interested in the possibility of joining your team and contributing where I can.
Please let me know if there are any next steps I should take.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
