Hi everyone, Justin here! I recently got a question, which said: “I just started looking for research, and I heard that one of the best ways to do that is to email professors. How exactly should I go about doing that?” Emailing professors for a research position is not unheard of here at Berkeley. Some programs like URAP, SURP and SPUR can often be quite competitive, and there’s always that uncertainty of whether or not you are as qualified as other applicants. Although emailing professors may seem like a last resort, it could ultimately land you a couple of interviews — that is, if you compose your emails thoughtfully.First, you should make a list of labs you are interested in. Most labs have a website that lists their research interests, current projects and publications. Thoroughly peruse these websites todetermine whether your interests matches up with theirs. Write down the emails of professors you are genuinely interested in working with, but try to keep this number to a maximum.Once you’ve compiled a list and done some research, it’s time to start composing emails! Your number one goal when composing an email is to tailor it to the professor and his/her research as much as possible. Start off with a brief introduction on who you are, your major(s), interests and career goals. Then compose a brief statement of interest on why you are interested in their particular lab and what you hope to get out of the experience. Be as clear and concise as possible. If you’ve read any of their work, feel free to comment on them. Lastly, include any relevant courses you’ve taken, your qualifications and prior research experience (if any). Conclude your email by thanking them for their time, and be sure to have an actual resume on hand in case they ask for one.Emailing professors is a numbers game. Some will respond, some won’t. Send out emails in small batches and order of preference, and wait for a response before sending out another. Interviewing for 10 different labs at once is not fun, and you definitely need enough time to prepare for each interview beforehand. Good luck!-Justin