因為歷史學在申請時就需找到future advisor.去年申請時便跟許多教授有信件往來

當時寫信時常擔心措辭是否得體與表達是否清楚等問題.
遂都請一位HE學姐幫我修改與重擬信件.以下分享文的想法也很多出自於她的見解

信寄出後.教授的回覆無論是否願意收我.態度都很和善.而且回信率約有八成：

我申請八間共聯絡了10位教授（因有些學校需共同指導）.其中有八位回我
回的內容也頗詳細.不是一句"題目很有趣.歡迎來申請"就打發掉了

我相信這結果除了拜指導教授名聲所賜外(這些教授都認識我的碩論指導).
信件內容也幫了不少忙^^

因此以下按照申請時序列出當時的信件模版.希望能幫助以後申請的版友

******************************************************************************
申請前

1.自我介紹信

信件主旨: Prospective Student Interested in (XX領域)

信件內容:（因為BBS版面的關係.一行只列一句.實際寄信時不需如此）

Dear Prof. XXX:

I am a MA student majoring in 大領域 at XX校名.
I am writing to you because I am looking for PhD programs in the US that are
strong in 大領域中的次領域.

My MA thesis, supervised by 教授全名 (from the X機構), focuses on 一句話.
For the doctoral study, I want to work on (XX Topics), especially 一句話.

(若博士題目無法縮成一句.可試試以下寫法:
For the doctoral study, I would like to continue my research onto
the (X Topics), focusing on 次主題（一小句話）.
My intention is to make use of A類資料 in addition to B類資料 to examine
A主題（名詞片語） as well as B主題（名詞片語）.)

I am considering applying for the progame of 所申請學校, but I am not quite
sure if my research interest matches that of the faculty of your XX department.
Could you possibly advise me on the application? Thank you very much.

（若擔心教授不喜歡你的題目.可換成這句：
I am about to send out my application to X學校, and would like to know
if you think my proposed topic a feasible one,
or if you would give me some advice on related subjects.）

I thank you very much for taking the time to read this far.
I am looking forward to your reply.

Best regards.
名字

擬信時的一些想法：
1.寄件時間至少在申請截止日的一個月前.這樣一個禮拜後教授若未回信.還可以再寄一次
不過我的經驗是有回信習慣的教授.收信時就會回了.不回的再怎麼寄也沒用
提早寄的最主要好處是：還可以根據教授的意見來修改SOP.或直接再找其他教授聯絡

2.最好先寫出SOP和Writing Sample再聯絡.
有時教授會希望看看你寫的東西.如果有份草稿至少可以先寄給他頂一下.

3.並非一定要說些仰慕教授與對他研究多有興趣的話
教授都很忙.也在申請季收過無數的類似信件.因此很清楚學生寫這些信的目的
故假如他對你的題目有興趣.自然會回.
反之.如果沒興趣.說再多的仰慕之語也只是浪費彼此時間而已

以下是主幹模版填字後的情況：（姓名與校名皆已刪除）

I am a MA student majoring in pre-modern Chinese history at X University.
I am writing to you because I am looking for PhD programs in the US that are
strong in gender history.

My MA thesis, supervised by XXX (from the XXX), focuses on the how medical
discourses, influenced by Confucian values in the early imperial China,
constructed cultural distinctions between the male and female body.
For the doctoral study, I want to work on masculinity, especially the use of
medical knowledge in the cultural construct of the ideal male body and
masculine physical gestures during the Sung dynasty.

以下信件都是直接根據教授對此信的回覆來回應.故未另擬信件主旨

****************************************************************************
2.教授回應：客套.歡迎.拒絕

信件內容：

Thanks very much for your advice.
I hope to have the chance of working with you at X大學 next year.

關於教授的回信.我遇到的情況是.教授通常不會明白的拒絕或收人
只能根據某些線索.推測教授的回應類別：

1.歡迎：
這個最好認.如果教授信裡有提到他目前所收的博班學生的研究領域.
並祝你在該校找到堅實的同好.就表示他應該是真的想收你

2.客套：
這種最常遇到.通常會介紹該系所與你領域有關的各個教授.並祝你申請順利

3.拒絕：
乍看之下會很想客套信.不過信中會說他只能指導某某面向.
暗示他無法直接當你的指導教授
（共同指導的回信請看下文）

其實在申請前聯絡教授主要是為了試探SOP的寫作方針是否需要修改.
所以不用期待教授歡迎你就表示一定可以拿到入學許可
最後還是要看SOP與其他申請來決定結果

***************************************************************************
3.教授想多瞭解你.要約時間談談

My phone number is +886 XXX, and I'm available (specific weekdays and hours).
Or, do you need me to call you?

之後就見招拆招啦～

***************************************************************************
4.教授說想收你.但明年休假.請你後年再申請

信件內容：

Thanks very much for your kind reply.
I will wait and apply next year.

擬信時的一些想法：
1.不必告訴他若你今年申請其他學校不上.明年就會再申請該校之類的話
這樣常會自貶身價.說得自己好像沒人要似的

2.假如預算夠也能接受第一年指導教授不在校的話.
建議一方面如此回覆教授.一方面仍然申請該校
因為若教授真想收你.他還是有可能錄取你

*************************************************************************
5.教授說想收你.但須共同指導

遇到這種情況時.
我會先寫信聯絡其他教授詢問是否願意共同指導.等找到人後.再回覆原教授
雖然這樣一來一往時間拖的有點長.
但看原教授的回信.她似乎不介意我拖了快兩週才回信XD

找另一外教授時的戰略：
1.先向師長打聽該教授的個性.是否介意共同指導.以及指導風格等事.
如果該教授對學生的研究控制頗多的話.要考慮是否為合適的共同指導人選

2.第一封信如第一封自我介紹信.

3.若他對你的題目表示興趣.第二封再提雙指導的事情
不過要小心語氣與措辭.不能讓他覺得或發現（？）你是為了湊雙指導才找他的

第二封信的內容如下：

Thanks very much for your kind reply.
I've contacted Prof. XX.
She/he told me that, if one of the faculties from XX系所 takes me in,
she may able to co-supervise me.

Do you mind if I tell her about our conversation?
Or do you want me to wait until you've received my application?

因為我後來聯絡的共同指導教授很爽快的答應了.
我便謝謝他並向原教授回覆這好消息.雙方信件也就此結束

*************************************************************************
6.教授說想收你.但不喜歡你的題目

雖然這句話的中文邏輯頗為矛盾.但我真的遇到教授這樣回信了 Orz

我的回答策略是：
1.解釋為何選此題目：例如之前的修課與論文寫作經驗使我對此題目較有心得
2.說明我不會因此劃地自限：到美國後還是會學習不同領域
3.說明為何想到外國進修

以下是當初的回信內容：

Thanks very much for your reply.

The topic mentioned in the previous e-mail, which you consider too narrow,
is an issue that I have surveyed and worked on more comprehensively.

I think I will continue to be interested in the fields of XX, but this doesn't
mean that I'll definitely choose this topic for PhD dissertation.
In fact, I hope very much to combine my MA training in
Taiwan, which focused more on working with primary sources, with the
resources available in the States, and gradually define my future research
interest during the first three years of doctoral study.
I look particularly forward to learning more about XX theories and
interdisciplinary studies.
And this is the main reason that I want to go to the States for PhD study.

Thanks very much for taking time reading and answering my e-mails.

雖然這位教授看完後沒有回我信.但最後還是收我了
所以我想這解釋應該是有被他所接受

***************************************************************************
7.教授說想收你.但他其實認錯人了- -

遇到這種情況要花多點篇幅詳細解釋.不然等入學相見才發現就太囧了

我的回覆如下：

Thanks for your reply.

If I haven't mistaken your e-mail, it seems to me that you took me as
another XX全名 (who was a XXX at XX機構或場合.)
I am XX's student, and, during your last visit to XX地點 in XX月份, I did
have a brief chat with you at the conference after you lecture in XX場合.

之後再看教授回應.選擇要用以上那個版本回信～

****************************************************************************
錄取後

1.詢問學校有關獎學金與Open House補助的事情

主旨：Could you tell me if XXXX

信件內容：

My name is XXX. I just received the admission to your PhD program
in XXX領域.

問獎學金：

But the letter has no mention of funding opportunities.
Could you please tell me if the admission comes with a full or partial funding
package?

確認指導教授：

None of the faculty has contacted me about this admission.
Could you tell me who will become my advisor if I decide to go to XX學校?

問Open House補助與改期拜訪

I'm very excited about the admission and do want to meet with the
faculty and graduate students.
However, as I 原因, I can't attend the Open House next week.
Is it possible to arrange a visit in 時間 ?
And, does the department provide reimbursement for the flight ticket?

2.問指導教授有關獎學金的事情

信件內容如下：

I'm very excited about the admission.
However, XX系辦人名 told me that my admission doesn't include any funding
package.
As it's impossible for me to support myself financially,
could you please tell me if there are other funding opportunities?

***************************************************************************

呼～終於打完了（擦汗）
以上是我目前曾寫過的聯絡信件

以後若有新情況再補上

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◆ From: 220.136.82.14
※ 編輯: Mirranda 來自: 220.136.82.14 (03/21 23:26)