Before we get into this guide, some basics:

What is ‘cold emailing’? In short, a cold email is an introductory email to someone you don’t yet know, establishing a connection, seeking out information, etc. Cold emailing can be useful in a variety of situations, but it can seem scary or intimidating writing one for the very first time. This semi-comprehensive guide uses resources from across the internet to help high school students learn more about cold emailing, particularly if they’re interested in lab work/science.

If I’m a high school student, and I’m interested in science and want to get more involved in research, how should I go about this? It’s great that you’re interested in science so early. There’s many ways to get involved in science and scientific research during high school. The following are some questions designed to help you better think about your options:

  • Is there a summer research program or fellowship specifically designed for high school students that I can apply for? Is this summer research program or fellowship local or elsewhere in the country?
  • Do my local colleges/universities have any high school-oriented summer research programs for students who are local?
  • Do any of my teachers know anyone at a local college or university they might be able to connect me with in terms of labs or research opportunities? Can my school’s guidance counselors or extracurricular sponsors connect me with someone?
  • Can I cold email professors with labs at local colleges/research institutions/universities to inquire if they’re willing to let me be part of their lab as a high school student?

What are the pros and cons of participating in a summer research program vs just cold emailing a professor at my local college/university and getting involved in their lab independently? There are no correct answers for “pros” or “cons” for this question. Each individual student has their own goals, ideas, and expectations, so everyone will have their own preferences about how they indiviudally want to get started in research as a high school student. The following are some questions designed to help you get started in thinking about your own personal goals, ideas, and expectations about getting involved in research as a high school student:

  • Would I prefer to participate in a summer research program with a set structure? In other words, would I prefer for the structure of the summer research program itself guide how many hours I spend in lab, when I give a poster or research presentation, when the program officially ends, etc?
  • If I do a summer research program, would I like to get to know the other high school students who are in the same cohort as me? Or am I okay with finding a research opportunity on my own and not being part of a larger cohort of high school students?
  • Would I prefer to be part of a lab really close to home, or do I have no preference about where a summer research program might be located in the country?

Semi-Comprehensive Guide to Cold Emailing Labs/Professors for High School Students:

Step 1: Prepare a brief resume/CV What are some skills you have that might benefit a future lab as a high school student? You can highlight any of these skills here, but if you don’t have any lab skills right now, as a high school student, then that’s okay! Everyone has to learn and everyone has to start somewhere. An enthusiasm to learn and grow can be a great skill in and of itself.

Step 2: Write/draft an email template for cold emailing Before drafting your email and emailing a lab/professor/potential lab supervisor, it’s important to read through their research profile, perhaps even read through past papers, and make sure you’re actually interested in their research/work/lab. Are they doing work in a field you already have an interest in? Do you want to learn more about the particular experimental and scientific techniques they use? What do you find interesting, cool, or inspiring about their research?

Below is an example of an email template that might be useful:

Dear Dr. __.

My name is __ __, and I’m currently a high school [insert year in school] at __. I am emailing to inquire if you would be willing to allow me to be part of your lab for this summer [or insert alternative time frame]?

[Discuss your interests as a whole here, what specifically has drawn you to their lab, etc. You can use phrases such as “I am particularly interested in __, which has led me to __”; “I was introduced to __ in one of my classes, which motivated me to become more interested in __”; I would like to gain experience in __ by being part of your lab…”]

Attached to this email is my resume/CV. Thank you for your consideration!

Sincerely,
[Insert your name]

Step 3: Wait to hear back/email more labs/professors if needed!

Please note: this guide was compiled using resources such as the r/ApplyingToCollege subreddit, as well as from personal experience. Following this guide by no means will 100% guarantee success upon cold emailing every single time, but is meant to help make cold emailing more accessible to high school students.

For more resources about cold emailing as a high school student: