AKA - so you want to see if you’re a good fit to be a Logan Lab Girlie

Congrats on taking the first step to potentially joining the Logan Lab! In a doctoral program, the advising fit is very important! Vanderbilt subscribes to an apprenticeship model, which means that the Ph.D. program involves a significant amount of 1:1 mentorship with your Ph.D. advisor. It’s important to have an advisor who has research and mentorship alignment.

If you have decided that you want to work with Dr. Logan, you can use this template to contact her to learn more about what it means to be a doctoral student in the Logan Lab.

This is just a suggested template if you need a starting point 😊 Please personalize it to match your style!

Email Template

Subject: Prospective PhD Applicant

Dear Dr. Logan,

My name is __________ and I am emailing as a prospective Ph.D. applicant for the Fall 20XX application cycle, starting Fall 20XX. I am interesting in apply to join your lab, and I would appreciate the opportunity to meet and learn more about your current research projects.

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Give some information about your background and research interests. Here are some suggestions.

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My educational background is in… [Former education, research training, or relevant work experience]

My research interests are… [explain what you want to research]

I am interested in joining your lab because [briefly describe why you want to join the Logan Lab! You can refer to current projects and Dr. Logan’s publications.]

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Ask for a meeting and what you what to discuss. List any time limitations you may have.

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I have attached a copy of my resume/cv for your consideration. I would appreciate the opportunity to speak with you via phone or Zoom at your convenience. I am available [list your availability] and I am located in [list your time zone!]

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Tips and Considerations!

• Dr. Logan does not take students every academic year. This is a practical part of being a professor, and is not personal to you as an applicant! If she is not taking students now, you can always ask if she will be taking students in the future.
• Dr. Logan is very busy and gets dozens of emails every day! Additionally, some months of the academic year are busier than others! If you do not hear back from Dr. Logan after your initial email, you can email her again 😊 She will not be offended! That said, please understand that if Dr. Logan is not available to take a meeting, it is also not personal.
• The best way to have a productive meeting is to be prepared. Learn about Dr. Logan’s work in advance, and mention if there are any projects you particularly connect with! This will help Dr. Logan see if you are a good fit for the lab.