How to Contact a Project Mentor

student working on her laptop in a cafe.

ELN recommends students send a thoughtful and well-written email to project mentors you are interested in working with. Your email should be written clearly and concisely, and include the following information: 

  • Introduce yourself (name, major, & reason for contacting them).
  • Explain your interest and enthusiasm in their work or project opportunity. 
  • Identify your goals and share how working on this project will help you reach them.
  • Share that you would like to schedule a time to meet to further discuss your participation in the opportunity and include your general availability.
  • Reiterate your interest and excitement for the opportunity. 
  • Be sure to reference the title of the project in the email subject line. 

If you don’t hear back from the project mentor, send a polite follow-up email about one week after your initial email.

Need help?

Contact us at ubeln@buffalo.edu for assistance with ensuring your outreach email is the best it can be.