Dear all, as days of application of Korean Government Scholarships(KGSP) are almost over. Now Gear up for Fall 2017 Scholarships for Masters and PhD in Korean Universities, which are opening or will open soon, therefore prepare to apply for them from now. Read below full description with links given (*Please)
What is this Korean Scholarship ?
In Korea, most of the scholarships are offered by the professors. Professors hire you in the lab and you work on company projects. Projects are based on research and development of products etc of companies. Therefore, your tuition fee, living expenses are paid by the professors using the money of companies.
Why early applying ?
The Korean universities will start taking admissions soon for Fall 2017. But students from different countries other than Pakistan, try to contact and impress professor earlier than opening of admission process of Fall 2017. Therefore, if you apply late, then may be professor would already have chosen a student for his lab from another country. So, it good to that you start now to find and and contacting the professor, in order to secure your seat in the professor's lab
Why to go to Korea ?
As you have read before, that companies pay to professors for doing R & D of them. Few such companies in Korea are Samsung, LG, POSCO, Hyundai, Daewoo, Daelim, Lotte, Hynix etc. These are just few companies out of thousands companies in Korea. So just imagine that if you study in Korea, you will have chances to work on projects offered by such big and small companies. When you will graduate with degree from Korea, you will have chances to get job in such big companies there. Many Pakistanis are working in these companies there. Also, if you do not want to do job after doing your masters from Korea. Then you will have many research publications in conferences/journals in your masters due to working on different projects of companies and publishing your results, which will enable you to get top PhD positions anywhere in the world of your choice. Even after PhD from Korea, you will have better profile than people who do PhD from other countries in the world due to good publications. So, going to Korea opens new Horizons for you
But how to apply for it then ??
Read carefully all details below with links and then comment, if you have confusion/questions
Just few things first (Read the guides also in given below links, after it)
1) Almost many professors are giving scholarships in these universities (list given below) and others (unknown to me) . Find your relevant professors by given below ways and contact them.
2) /search relevant profrssors using google.com and search one by one with keywords such as University name + your major + Korea (do not write full university name) such as
Sookmyung Chemistry Korea, use such keywords or follow the guide
OR again find the professors by the using google methods as mentioned above.
6) Email and contact professor with guidelines as given below in guides and send cover email and PDF research CV to professors. As soon as he gives positive reply by finding you by your description a best candidate for his lab. Apply for admissions in university.
**MOST Important thing : Do NOT ask Korean Professor for any acceptance letter as you ask Chinese professors. If you ask Korean Professor for acceptance letter, he may not understand and your chances of selection will be finished. Korean professors acceptance is like a consent of him in email, in which he says that he will cover your tuition fee and expenses. University admission process do not need it. As you get apply for admission after professor's consent in email. You will mention professor's contacts in admission process/documents. Which university will consider and give you admission on priority. If you get admission, then you will show it to professors who would have promised already to cover your expenses and then you will go to Korea on his money.
7) It is your hard work and trying. I can give you resources and guide you the way. So now it is your turn to work hard on it, so it is all your effort. Just find the professors
8) IELTS & TOEFL is requirement of many universities. But you can try to apply with English proficiency certificates. If you are lucky, then they will accept you without IELTS score. But if deadlines are far, then you can try to do IELTS or TOEFL. If you have no time, then apply with proficiency certificate and hope for the best.
We have compiled a very detailed information of Korean Government Scholarship for MS/PhD which is open these days. Please read the details and then ask the question bcz there is nothing that we have left unanswered here, its a long post i know but do bother to read it all if you are really interested and serious about this scholarship. also thanks to Noaman Khan for this great help, do correct me if there is any mistake.
KGSP GRADUATE(MASTER, DOCTORIAL) PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
¦ Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree as of August 31, 2017.
- A Bachelor’s degree, or a diploma equivalent to or higher than a Bachelor’s degree, is required for a Master’s program applicant.
- A Master’s degree, or a diploma equivalent to or higher than a Master’s degree, is required for a Doctoral program applicant.
¦ An Applicant who is expected to obtain the official diploma by August 31, 2017 must submit a certificate of expected degree at the time of applying. The official diploma must be submitted as soon as it is issued by the applicant’s alma mater.
¦ Applicants who have completed a degree, Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctoral, in Korea are NOT eligible to apply.
¦ A KGSP scholar who graduated or are expected to graduate as of August 31, 2017 is eligible to apply under the following conditions: - He/ she is allowed to apply only via Embassy Track; and - The re-application is allowed only once.
3 Statement of Purpose (Form 3) MUST MUST
5 KGSP Applicant Pledge (Form 5) MUST MUST
8 Bachelor’s Transcript: original copy MUST MUST
6 Personal Medical Assessment (Form 6) MUST MUST
7 Bachelor’s Diploma or Certificate of Degree MUST MUST
9 Master’s Diploma or Certificate of Degree NIL MUST
12 Parents’ Proof of Citizenship MUST MUST
10 Master’s Transcript: original copy NIL MUST
11 Applicant’s Proof of Citizenship MUST MUST
13 Certificate of Korean Citizenship
Renunciation OPTIONAL OPTIONAL
14 Adoption Documents
17 Published Papers OPTIONAL OPTIONAL
(Overseas Koreans Adoptees ONLY) OPTIONAL OPTIONAL
15 Certificate of Valid TOPIK OPTIONAL OPTIONAL
16 Certificate of Valid English
Proficiency Test OPTIONAL OPTIONAL
18 Awards OPTIONAL OPTIONAL
19 Applicant’s Passport Copy
Successful candidates of 2nd Round ONLY
20 Comprehensive Medical Examination Results
PS: IELTS/TOEFL/GRE is not compulsory
#Departments and fields:
Vast range of departments, for details check the guidelines they have mentioned each department and university very clearly.
Q1). If my country does not have a quota for the 2017 KGSP undergraduate program, can I still apply for the program?
Ans: No, you cannot. Only those who hold a citizenship of the listed countries are eligible for the program.
Q2). I have studied in Korea as an exchange student. Am I eligible for application to this program?
Ans: No, you are NOT ELIGIBLE for application to this program. According to the Guideline No. 5-(7), Applicants must not have enrolled in an undergraduate course in Korea before. NOT Eligible: those who have ever enrolled at a Korean university as a regular or an exchange student (including exchange program). Therefore, person who HAS HAD ANY D-2 related visa to study in Korea or graduated from a Korea university CANNOT apply.
Q3). I am going to graduate from a high school in LATE March 2017. May I apply for the 2016 program?
Ans: No, you may not. Only those who are expected to graduate from a high school before March, 1st, 2016 are eligible for the program. You may apply for the 2018 program.
Q4). May I apply for the program through the NIIED directly?
Ans: No, you may not. APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE MADE TROUGH KOREAN EMBASSY in the country of origin, 1st SELECTION ORGANIZATIONS
Q5). Should I submit the certificate of language proficiency (English or Korean) when I apply for the KGSP?
Ans: It is NOT MANDATORY. It is optional. That is to say, you can apply for the KGSP whether you have it or not, but you may be preferred in the selection procedures if you submit it.
Q6). As for recommendation letters, may I submit two letters written by one recommender?
Ans: No, you may not. The recommendation letters should be written by two different recommenders such as your present or previous high school teacher, principal, or chair professor of your department.
Q7). If my documents are not written in English or in Korean, how should I submit them?
Ans: KGSP requires that all documents must be translated into Korean or English, and then be authenticated by the issuing institution or by a notary's office. If your country has joined the apostille system, your documents can also be notarized.
Q8) Is it mandatory for all KGSP grantees to pass at least Level 3 in TOPIK after one year of Korean Language Course?
Ans: Yes, it is. As most of classes are conducted in Korean, without proper language proficiency, you might have difficulty in actively participating in the class activities and may find difficulty completing assignments. Furthermore, TOPIK level 3 is not sufficient to keep up with the classes and you may experience difficulties. It is just the minimum prerequisite for starting your degree program.
Q9). May I change my final choice of a university for an undergraduate degree during the preliminary Korean language course?
Ans: No way. Once the announcement of the final successful candidates has been made, changing universities is NOT ALLOWED REGARDLESS OF ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. Therefore, please pay attention and caution when choosing preferred universities and filling out the application forms in which you should state your choice.
Q10). May I choose any field of study in my desired program?
Ans: Basically, you can choose a field of study only listed in our guide line
#Confusion of EMBASSY TRACK VS UNIVERSITY TRACK.
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Important Note:
First of all Note down this you can apply only by one Track either Embassy or University.....If you try to apply for both and they both nominated your name to NIIED(as they are the one who will finalizing candidates) so you will be automatically disqualified from the program.
#Embassy Track:
Go to the website of korean embassy in pakistan, search for kgsp ntice, download application, fill it and post it to korean embassy in islamabad.Deadline is 10 March 2017 and Pakistan has 4 seats this year via embassy track. link:
you apply directly to a korean university after convincing a professor there to select you as a future graduate student, then you apply for this KGSP scholaship so that it will cover your expenses, you have to fill the same application form but have to send it to the university in S.korea where you want to apply, Pakistan has almost 6-7 seats for this track too as per last year 2016. download application and guidelines here:
Once the document has been downloaded, one might consider the following tips in order to increase his chance to be selected in the program.
FORM 1. Application Form
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You will find this in the same file, right after the checklist. There is one set of forms for University applicants, and one set for Embassy applicants. The majority is the same, but some parts are different (for example the Embassy application has space to write your three chosen universities, but the University application does not).
Most of it is self explanatory, but…
English Proficiency/Korean Proficiency –
------------------------------------------------If you have IELTS/TOEFL or TOPIK scores you can write them here. For English speaking countries, under English proficiency just write “Native Speaker” just to make it obvious. NIIED says that these are optional, but if you are not a native speaker of either English or Korean,So include at least one of them if you can. It’s important to show them and the universities that you will be able to study in either English or Korean.
Published papers –
-----------------------If you are applying for a PhD then you likely have some papers published from your Master’s Degree. I recommend including one or two of your best. More is not necessarily better, they only have time to read so much. If you are applying for a Master’s degree, then you may not have any published papers, and that’s okay. Don’t stress about it. But if you have published then go ahead and list them.
Awards –
------------- If you received academic awards, public service awards, etc then list them here. I recommend choosing recent awards (don’t go back to high school). Ultimately the choice is yours as to what you want to present to the selection committees.
University choice(s) –
--------------------------The application asks for University/Faculty/Department/Major, but the university information lists University/Division/Department/Field of Study. These are the same things, so you can write it as you see it in the university information. (For example “Ajou University/College of Engineering/Molecular Science and Technology/Medical Science”)
Grades/GPA –
-----------------If your university grades on a 4.0/4.3/4.5/5.0 scale, then you are good to go. Input your term averages as listed in your transcript, then look at the table provided in the application materials to convert to a percentage. If your university uses a different scale (like 20), you will probably want to have your grades officially converted to one of the scales above. The problem is mostly that you also have to convert to a percentage (out of 100) and this is not always easy with different grading systems. (Simple division may lead to a much lower percentage than you actually deserve.) If your university will do the conversion, that is easiest and best. If not, you will probably need to submit your transcript to a grade conversion service.
Previous visits to Korea –
-----------------------------Write down the dates of previous visits and why you were there. If you have ever come to Korea on a student visa (specifically D-2), you are theoretically ineligible for a scholarship (unless that rule changes). Applicants who have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctoral degree in Korea are NOT eligible to apply.
FORM 2. Letter of Self-Introduction
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This is pretty self explanatory. You’ll want to give them an idea of who you are and what makes you tick. Illustrate the things that lead you to your field of study, relevant academic, work or volunteer experience, and what is bringing you to Korea. The space is limited (only one page), so try to stay away from things they can find easily in other parts of your application. For example, stay away from listing every related course you took in university – they can find those in your transcript. Talk instead about particular aspects that really interest and inspire you. Leave your specific study plan and future plans for the next attachment below. Also, if you got into Korea because of dramas and k-pop, you can mention that (as something you know about Korea), but try to find something else you admire about the country, something with more substance. And if you have traveled or lived abroad, you might want to discuss what these experiences meant to you. And finally, if there are any question marks in your background (a particularly bad semester, and unfinished class, etc) that might need explaining, then you should explain them here. Short and sweet, don’t dwell and give them more importance than they deserve.
FORM 3. Statement of Purpose
*********************************
This form is required for applicants in the Master’s or Doctoral program ONLY. The statement of purpose must be single spaced with no more than TWO pages, with the font .
One page on Topic [Goal of study & Study Plan]:
The first section is very similar to research plan; what applicant will do during his research. It’s been public secret now that almost nobody will have his own privilege to conduct his research, but he needs to work on project his lab has/offers. So what is the point of this part? It merely measures applicant’s seriousness in applying to the program and to check his understanding on his research field. Almost nobody will do the one he once wrote on his research plan but accepted student normally has solid background of research and clear vision of his research
One page on this topic [Future Plan after Study]:
The second part deals with applicant’s plan after completing the program. The purpose is almost very similar to the 2nd item and to the 1st part of this item: to check the long-term vision of applicant. Saying that he wants to get master degree for a long life work (such as becoming diplomat for his country, Chemistry teaching professor, etc) will be much better then just saying willingness to explore Korean culture.
FORM 4. Research Proposal
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Only for Research Students, Others leave it blank.This form is required for the Research Program applicants ONLY.
Please type in Korean or in English. Please write in as much detail as possible, not exceeding FIVE pages, single-spaced, with the font Times New Roman, in size 10. (*10 points).
FORM 5. Letter of Recommendation
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At this year you guys need to submit Two of these with your application last year it was one. These should be from an academic reference, not a work reference… Even if you graduated ten years ago. Some people recommend getting high status people (like the school president or department head) to write your recommendation, but personally I would recommend having someone who knows you well (like an advisor or someone you took multiple courses with). Sometimes you can get the best of both worlds, an advisor to write it and the principal to sign it. But, unless you went to a very small school where the
Principal knows everyone, or you are the most standout student ever then don’t just have the president (or more likely some random person in an administrative office) write it. They’ll just create a nice form letter with generalities gleaned from your transcript. It should go without saying that you should choose someone you got along well with, and who can say good things about you.
Your recommendation should be in a sealed envelope with your professors signature or stamp over the seal. Do not open the recommendation to make copies. You can either ask your professor to give you four sealed copies of the recommendation (one for each set of documents you need to send), or you can ask your first selection institution (university or embassy) to copy it for you but most probably the will not do it. This also means that you will not be able to have your professor email you their letter of recommendation. If you are not currently at your university, you should allow enough time for your professor to send you the recommendation, and then for you to send the application. Make sure your professor knows that the recommendation should be printed out and sealed, and that they know when you plan to send your application.
FORM 6. Letter of Invitation
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This form is required for the Research Program applicants ONLY and must be completed by the staff or faculty of the inviting university. Other just put there NA(Not Applicable)
You do not need to go to a doctor because this is a self-reported medical assessment. But, be honest because there will be actual medical exams later on. Primarily, they are looking that you are not involved in illegal activity (drugs), that you are physically able to complete a degree (which does not discount physical disabilities as long as they don’t severely inhibit your studies), and that you will not bring infectious diseases into Korea (or if you do that they are recorded and controlled). Korea has had travel bans for persons with HIV/AIDS, which apparently have been eased for some, but I am not sure of the current policies regarding students. For your sake (regardless of the scholarship) I hope this is not an issue for you.
And that's all I have take some detail, perceptions and Ideas from some Winner Scholars of previous year so just make your application accordingly to this..,,,
Korean Embassy In Pakistan in case you are using embassy track to apply:
Dear all people looking for MS and PhD scholarships in Top ranked university Postech, South Korea, backed by World No. 1 Steel Manufacturers POSCO, can consider to contact professors there relevant to their fields, Fall 2017, Spring 2018
2) Rest of POSTECH majors/subjects schools except GIFT
GIFT has by default scholarship for its students. So if you get selected in GIFT majors, you have by default scholarship by the university. The rest of majors except GIFT in POSTECH have to depend on professors money or other scholarships in POSTECH. But professor money is much more in POSTECH than other universities in Korea, so dun worry about it, if Professors agrees to take you in his lab and fund your studies, then go for it. If your major belongs to GIFT majors, then your money will be paid by university itself. The other scholarships in POSTECH are, specially POSCO Asia Fellowship (Some Pakistanis attained this fellowship)
But the main thing is professor will fund your studies, if he/she like your profile and for this you have to follow guidelines below
** In every case do contact with professors. If you dun get reply from professors, then apply only, if you have enough money to pay application fee. So contact professors in a very very good way. So if professors starts replying to you and then you submit application fee, then you are sure that your application fee will not be wasted most probably (unless you fail in university selection). If you are applying to GIFT, then you can take chances to apply even no professor replies to you if you have money to spend for application fee. As in gift you have by default scholarship and if u get into interview due to your good educational profile. You may have chances of selection
Deadline : 25 April, 2017
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** English Proficiency certificate is accepted here +
Proof of Instruction Language can be substituted for the English Proficiency Test.
** Proof of Instruction Language: A one-page document that verifies the instruction language (English) of the applicant’s institution. It must have the institution’s seal on it.
GIFT has by default scholarship for its students. So, if you get selected in GIFT majors, you have by default scholarship by the university. The rest of majors except GIFT in POSTECH have to depend on professors money or other scholarships in POSTECH. But professor money is much more in POSTECH than other universities in Korea, so dun worry about it, if Professors agrees to take you in his lab and fund your studies, then go for it. If your major belongs to GIFT majors, then your money will be paid by university itself. The other scholarships in POSTECH are, specially POSCO Asia Fellowship (Some Pakistanis attained this fellowship)
Students who need to contact supervisors for grants/scholarships for MS and PhD especially in China, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand etc. They have to find supervisors first and then contacting them.
How to find Supervisors/Professors
1) Find the list of universities, you want to apply for by writing in google.com. e.g., “Universities in Australia”, “Universities in South Korea”. You will get whole list of universities there.
2) Finalize your area of interest; you can finalize your area of interest by looking at your final year project, subject in which you are best, some already done research or some tool in your filed you are best for example programmers in Computer science field. So find as many keywords as you can from them, for example programmers and CS people can use keyword, image processing or computer vision or data analysis etc.
3) Open google.com and write the research area of interest with some university name whom you have already found out in first point given above.
4) You will get the results from google about the department links/professors links/papers from that university published etc., relevant to your area of interest b. You can open the links of professors and departments links or papers to find out your relevant professor/professors.
How to contact Supervisor/Professor
1) Professors are doing advanced research work, which you have not done, but may be some tools or techniques, which professor is using, you have worked on or you have basic knowledge of professor work etc.
2) Before contacting the professor, you must know that they have not much time to look at your emails. So be careful for the instructions given below
3) Read out the all the professors profiles very carefully and see which one is related to your area of interest.
By profile reading of professor I mean to read their
(i) Research papers
(ii) Projects
4) Finalize one or two or more professors based on who is most understandable and relevant to the area of interest you are going for. You will get this thing cleared after you have read their projects and their research papers
5) Then after the few professors you have finalized. Read with very extreme attention their research papers. Ask your seniors or teachers to help you understanding them
6) See and find that how your area of interest fits in them. For example if you are good in some subject/tool and they have already used it.
7) You must understand fully the ideas presented in the paper.
8) Then start writing an email with a suitable heading such as “Request for supervision of MS/PhD”.
9) Body of email should not be much long or short.
10) Start email by introducing with your name and the university, country you are from.
11) Then mention that while going through profiles of professors, you stumbled upon that professor profile and have read his papers, mention the paper/papers names you have already read of that professor and in one line the basic idea of paper/papers you understood. Then next line you mention how you link your area of interest with his that paper or papers whom you have already mentioned. This thing is quite tricky; you have to be good in it. For example I work in Computer science field and I write that “I read your paper “abc” in which you have implemented xyz algorithm using xyz filter. I have also implemented same kind of algorithm in which I have used abc filter with boosting classifiers and implemented the code using OpenCV libraries.”. This is just an example, you can write better version of it as it is just a sample line.
Also if you can give some genuine idea on which you want to work on, then it is best. But you should be writing technically when presenting such idea. These ideas come into your mind when you read many papers in one area of interest.
12) This thing will let him understand that you are a serious person and you have read his papers and you want to do serious work
13) Then ending lines that you would like to work for MS/PhD under his/her supervision,
14) You can mention sometimes in first email also the scholarships you want to apply for; e.g, IPRS for Australia, or NZIDRS or New Zealand etc
17) Best is to use University official email address, if you do not have any university email address, then make a good email ID, do not make funny IDs, such as Romeo447@gmail.com or some jokes like it.
South Korea is one of the countries offering a lot of scholarships in every field. Please read below, with much attention, you will understand every thing
Dear All, Let me explain to you that in Korea the easiest way to get admission and scholarship (both fee and living expenses) is first of all, you should search relevant professors of your choice and research interest. Then you should make a good CV according to the interest of those relevant professors and send him/her that CV along with a short email stating your introduction and show your interest that you want to do master/Ph.D under his/her supervision.If a professor shows interest it means almost you have 99% chances that your admission is confirmed. To increase your chance of acceptance, you can include, cover letter and research proposal with the mail. In most of the cases, university provides tuition fee scholarship while professor provide monthly living expenses scholarship. It also means you have to struggle to get these two scholarships. If you get one then the other you have to pay by yourself and it is very expensive for individual.
STEPS TO FOLLOW:
So, first of all, you should try to find “Faculty” => Professors profiles on the university website.
1. Find the Korean universities and Korean research labs related to your discipline on internet. This is also helpful for only Engineering and CS guys:(https://www.facebook.com/download/1...)
3. Make your CV research oriented and also easily readable and good looking. (Also according to the professor you choose to apply. Relate your previous work plus final year project with that professor’s research work and show him/her your interest in his work).*Important Note for Electronics plus Computer majors ( In Korea, professors like if you are good in programming languages and it is good if you have distinction in programming skills and you can show them)
4. Send your email and with CV and motivation letter to as many professors as you can and keep in mind only interested professors may reply you, so don’t be disappointed.
IMPORTANT:*Always Open the Korean websites in google chrome as you can use “Translate to English” option of chrome.
6. Once the ball starts rolling (After getting reply from professor OR you can also send proposal in the first mail) Come up with a project plan (Research plan) that what you are going to research about. Indulge yourself in writing new project proposals if required.
FEW MORE THINGS In Korea, two kinds of scholarship
1. University scholarships-University scholarships are few and hard to get , but good than professor scholarship as in this case you will not be depended on money by professor. But when you apply for this scholarship, if you contact the professor before in the way as mentioned above, then you have better chance to get this scholarship. Although university scholarships mostly do not require professors recommendations but if you are successful to get one before applying, then it is good chance for you to get that scholarship
2. Professor scholarship-This solely depends on professor and university does not give you money in this case. These are easy to get but hard to maintain sometimes, because sometimes if professor is not happy with your performance, then he can give you financial problems.
DETAILS: When you are planning for PhD or Masters by research program, two kinds of funding opportunities can be availed. The first option is to apply for a scholarship program which covers everything including your flight ticket, settle-in allowance, books allowance, tuition fee and monthly stipend which is mostly tax free. The scholarships like this are very good but limited in number. Another option is getting funding support from a supervisor/professor, where you need to work on some specific research problem/project under the supervision of professor. At PhD level getting support from a supervisor is most common way to fund studies. Now, the important question is how to find a supervisor and ask him for supporting your studies.
How to Contact a Supervisor In this article, I will talk about the things to be considered while searching and contacting supervisor. In a successful search for a professor, who is willing to supervise your research, you have to make strong first impression because you may get only one chance for each professor. If you fail to impress or convince him about your abilities in first contact, it’s probable that you can never do that again. Most common and formal way to contact a supervisor is through email. There are some common mistakes which if avoided would result in a splendid communication regarding your motivation.
Finding a Supervisor-To narrow down search, you have to first know what your interest/ambition is. I know it is not easy to know exact topic of research at such an early stage but you should know your area of research. One way is to search some latest survey papers related to your field, just skim through the content, do not expect from yourself to understand everything at this point, look at the author profiles at the end of papers. After doing some literature review, you can see that leading professors in your area of research would be most cited and by this you can point to potential supervisors currently involved in your topic of interest. Another way is to further narrow down your search by universities; where you wish to pursue your degree then visit university’s website and your program’s page. Here you will see couple of professors doing similar research, you must see their latest publications to finalize potential supervisor. Be careful, do not email to more than one professor at the same department simultaneously, because if a professor finds you suitable he will arrange an interview with more than one or two other professors and usually you end up with same professors you emailed, besides one who is interested in you and this raises a question about your commitment or seriousness because you cannot be ambitious about different research interests at the same time. Once you have selected a professor who can be potential supervisor for your research, please follow the general guidelines on how to contact him.
Know him well-Know your professor’s profile well, try to see his latest publications especially one which interests you and try to quote them in your email just title of paper. Write a formal, short but comprehensive email including information about your research interests, how you found him and your background.
Avoid Casual language-Your email should be very formal without use of any casual language and check twice for your abbreviation which you frequently use with your friends etc. For example writing short for your as ‘ur’, thanks as ‘thnx’, ‘R U fine?’ and others.
Subject of Email-The subject of email is very important as professors are very busy and would not spend time reading all emails in their inbox; subject line is to catch their attention. Write like ‘Interested in Research area _____ with your group’ or similar.
Make specific Query-The professors get hundreds of emails from students asking for funding to support their studies. The most important thing professors want to establish about you is level of ‘seriousness’ and ‘motivation’. Some students write an email with generic content and send to many professors and universities and this is worse way to make contact with a professor. Try to be specific to your own case and refer to things which motivate you to join that particular group. Generic emails would never be read and replied.
Do not ask about weather/health-As a stranger to professor, its better not to ask how is he feeling and how the weather is. For initial contact this kind of questions/wishes are not appreciated. To the point message is better as it saves time of recipient.
Know the Culture-In some cultures you do not call elders by name or first name. For example in Korean culture, writing “Dear Professor” is better than “Dear _Name” as the social hierarchy is vertical. While in west there is no harm in calling Professor’s name as social hierarchy is horizontal. It looks a minor point but I am telling you it reflects a lot if you do it rightly. Do not flatter the recipient beg or plea as it is not considered a good thing.
Be precise-As mentioned earlier, message should be precise and to the point. If you are referring to some of professor’s papers, just mention the title of paper/project. You do not need to go in details of your own work at this stage, just try to connect that with the research interests of professor.
How you find him-Do tell him how you found him. Professors are always keen to know this, as it also indicates how serious were you to join his group and did not try thousand email addresses in a go to try your luck.
Attachments-Never forget to attach a CV/ motivation letter and ideas about your expected area of research. Do not attach all those award certificates and transcripts at this point in time.
Review Email-Check all the grammar, spelling, typos and similar careless mistakes. These would not put good impression about finishing of your work. Conclude your email well, ask him to talk more about your ambitions and do let you know if need more information.
