Copy and paste this text into an email to a faculty member you are interested in having as a potential research mentor. Replace the italicized content with your own words, or feel free to adapt the text to your own needs in any other way.
[Subject Line]
Hello [Dr./Professor] [Last Name],
My name is [First name] [Last name] and I am a [first year, sophomore/etc.] here at Texas State University. I am currently a student in the [your major] degree program.
I am reaching out to you today because I saw you have a research interest in [topic]. I saw your paper on [topic], and it looks relevant to some of the things that I am hoping to learn more about. Right now, I am interested in [topic].
Currently, I am working towards [career/academic goal] and am doing my best to find opportunities to set myself apart from others. Would you possibly have time to sit down with me during office hours to talk about your work in [topic] and my goals for [career/academic goals]? I am trying to connect with faculty that could mentor me and introduce me to research opportunities within [topic] so that I can have the best chance of achieving my goals. I was hoping you might be available and interested.
Thank you for your time. I look forward to hearing from you. I have attached a copy of my resume/vita so that you can learn more about me.
Thanks again.
[First name] [Last name]