Inquiry for PhD Application

Question

Hi All, I am a graduate student in United States. Currently I am applying for PhD program in 2017. I found this website when I was researching for relevant materials.

I've enclosed my inquiry letter to professor who has similar research topic with me. I would appreciate if anyone can help me to improve my English letter skill.

Dear Doctor xxx,

My name is xxxx, I’m currently a student in M.L.A program at xxxx, where I studied both Landscape and Urban Planning. I’m writing the letter to express my motivation to apply for xxx’s PhD program in 2017 and would be interested joining your research group on Urbanism and Infrastructure.

My main areas of research interest are Urban Renewal in historic and social context and Green Infrastructure. I found your talk about gentrification in a xxx panel talk when I am doing research for Hyper Urbanism Studio located in xxx. In the talk, you’ve mentioned that ”gentrification is inevitable… if we don’t engage with the planning and political process, it will happen in spite of us.” I agree with your argument that “housing affordability and neighborhood character are two issues are essential in gentrification process.” Similar to your statement, my design regards community identity as a close-knit of residents and provide temporal affordable housing for family who are unable to pay the increasing rental fee because of gentrification.

I really appreciate your time to read my letter. I look forward to further conversation about your research scopes and my interests in the PhD program. Thank you very much.

Best,
Su

Teechr · Accepted Answer

Su Huangwhere I studied

Have you already finished?

Su Huangboth Landscape and Urban Planning.

Are you referring to one or two degrees?

Su Huangin a *** panel talk

What does that mean?

Su Huangmy design

What design?

I also think your letter is quite short, especially for a PhD candidate. I would write about twice as much text. Try to explain your past achievements (academic, personal and community related), your character strengths and your future aspirations. Also, explain a bit more about the areas of research that interest you.

Su Huang · Answer

Hi, thank you for the reply. I revised the first paragraph and clarified the tense.

This letter is not a cover letter. I try to find connection directly to the professor who has similar research field with me. I'm not sure whether I should attach my previous education and character strengths in this mail since this is not the official cover letter for application.

Thank you so much for the feedbacks!

Teechr · Answer

Su HuangI'm not sure whether I should attach my previous education and character strengths in this mail

I can't see it doing any harm.

Su Huang · Answer

Hi thank you for your replies. I've revised some paragraphs based on your suggestions. Would you like to take a look at it?

Dear Doctor ***,

My name is ***, I’m currently a student in Master of Landscape Architecture + Urbanism program at xxxxx. I’m writing the letter to express my motivation to apply for xxxx’s PhD program in 2017 and would be interested joining your research group on Urbanism and Infrastructure.

My main areas of research interest are Urban Renewal in historic and social context and Green Infrastructure. I found your talk about gentrification in a xxxx talk when I am doing research for Hyper Urbanism Studio located in xxxx. In the talk, you’ve mentioned that ”gentrification is inevitable… if we don’t engage with the planning and political process, it will happen in spite of us.” I agree with your argument that “housing affordability and neighborhood character are two issues are essential in gentrification process.” Similar to your statement, my design proposal on xxxx regards community identity as a close-knit of residents. I believe that with the community invention at the early stage of rezoning process, it is possible to provide neighborhood continuity meanwhile embrace a diverse and inclusive group.

As mentioned above my research interest areas, I should also say that I am really fascinated with the process of research: have questions, study questions, fail and retry. Previously, I’ve been worked for Professor *** as a research assistant on community workshop in xxxx for a street park revitalization project. That experience sharps my attitude towards research and makes me believe that I would like to devoted myself to an academic fields.

I really appreciate your time to read my letter. I look forward to further conversation about your research scopes and my interests in the PhD program. Thank you very much.

Best,
***

Teechr · Answer

Dear Doctor Xxx,

My name is ***, and I’m currently a student in the Master of Landscape Architecture & Urbanism program at xxxxx. I’m writing ~~the~~ this letter to express my motivation to apply for xxxx’s PhD program in 2017, and ~~would be interested~~ I wish to show my strong desire for joining your research group on Urbanism and Infrastructure.

My The main areas of research that I am interested are urban renewal in historic and social contexts and green infrastructure. I came across the talk you gave at xxxx when I was doing research for Hyper Urbanism Studio in yyy, and I found your ~~talk~~ views and ideas about gentrification ~~in xxxx talk~~ captivating and inspiring. ~~when I am doing research for Hyper Urbanism Studio located in xxxx.~~ In the talk, you mentioned that ”gentrification is inevitable… if we don’t engage with the planning and political process, it will happen in spite of us.” I agree with that as well as with your argument that “housing affordability and neighborhood character are two issues are essential in the gentrification process.” ~~Similar to your statement,~~ In line with that, my design proposal on xxxx regards community ~~identity~~ as a close-knit group of residents with its own identity. I believe that with ~~the~~ community formation ~~invention~~ at the early stage of the rezoning process, it is possible to ~~provide~~ engender neighborhood continuity ~~mean~~ while embracing diversity and inclusiveness. ~~group.~~

~~As mentioned above my research interest areas, I should also say that I am really~~ I wish to outline that I have always been fascinated with the process of research: one has ~~have~~ questions; studies those questions; fails and retries. Previously, I’ve ~~been~~ worked for Professor Xxx as a research assistant on a community workshop in xxxx for a street-park revitalization project. That experience sharpened my attitude ~~towards~~ to research and ~~makes me believe that I would like~~ inspired me to steer my career towards it. ~~devoted myself to an academic~~fields.

I really appreciate your time to read my letter, and I look forward to hearing back from you. ~~further conversation about your research scopes and my interests in the PhD program.~~

Thank you very much, and my best regards.

Yours faithfully,

Su Huang
~~Best,~~
~~***~~

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