Swipe File

Real cold emails, annotated line by line, that landed replies from professors at Princeton and ASU.

Email 1 -- Princeton Response (24 hours)

Hi Professor [redacted], I’m a high school freshman planning to major in astronomy. I’ve been teaching myself Python to work with public datasets from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, and your work on [redacted topic] caught my attention because I’m trying to understand how [redacted connection to student interest].

Led with MY interest and skills first. Mentioned Python which shows I have something to offer. Connected my interest to their work naturally.

Your paper on [redacted specific paper topic] made me wonder: [redacted specific question]?

Asked a specific question that came from actually reading the paper. Not a generic ‘tell me more about your research’ question.

I’d love to get involved in research in any way, even just volunteering. If you’re not taking students, is there someone in your group you’d recommend I reach out to?

Direct ask with volunteer framing. The redirect line at the end turns a rejection into a lead.

✓

Professor responded within 24 hours. Said I was "way ahead of the curve." Offered to ask around the department for opportunities.

Email 2 -- ASU Response (lab position offered)

Hi Professor [redacted], I’m a junior studying biomedical engineering at [redacted university]. I’ve been working on a side project analyzing EEG signal data, and your recent paper on [redacted topic] caught my eye because of how you approached [redacted specific method].

Showed a real project they’re working on. Not just ‘I’m interested in your field’ but proof of hands-on work.

I was particularly curious about [redacted specific technical question from the paper]. Has your lab explored [redacted follow-up idea]?

Technical depth. This question shows they actually understood the paper, not just skimmed the abstract.

I’d love to contribute to your lab’s work this summer, even in a volunteer capacity. If your lab is full, would you recommend anyone else in the department working on similar problems?

Summer framing gives a timeline. Volunteer offer lowers the bar. Redirect line opens another door.

✓

Professor responded within 3 days. Invited them to visit the lab. Eventually offered a paid summer position.

Key Patterns in Both Emails

✓Led with the student’s own interests, not the professor’s papers
✓Asked a specific question from reading the paper
✓Used the volunteer framing
✓Included the redirect line
✓Kept it under 150 words
✓Wrote it themselves, no AI