Emailing Professors at other Universities

[KorbelStudent]

Hi All-

I am applying to several PhD programs in poli sci, and want to contact various professors with whom I would like to work or at least make them aware that I am interested in their work. Does anyone have any tips on how to contact such profs without sounding as if I am job-hunting?

Thanks!

[cpaige]

I'm also applying to PoliSci programs and sent out a few emails to profs at various universities. I just told them what I'm interested in studying and asked for their insight on what research the department is doing in that area currently. I was pretty lucky and heard back from profs at Chicago, Harvard, and Stanford. I also got to speak on the phone with one prof, which was very helpful. If you email profs whose research interests coincide with yours, they'll be happy to hear from a prospective student. Don't expect a reply from everyone you email, but if you're lucky, you'll hear back from a few.