Sample email

Dear Dr/Prof. _______________ [writing the first/forename of the academic sounds less
formal while writing full name is more formal. People in the West usually use full name
the first time and then depending how they respond you could use just the first name in
further communication]

I hope you are well. I have graduated in [add your specialisation] from the _______[add
university name] (Pakistan) and I am seeking admission to the PhD studies in
_______________[add the specialisation that you seek & the title of your research
project]. My focus is on [add a sentence about objective/overall goal of your research]. I
found your research on _____________ and __________ [add brief title of prof. article
with year in ( )] very interesting/relevant/significant/revealing/insightful [add that word
which seems relevant in a prof’s case] with respect to my research interests. I believe
there are a number of commonalities between my research interests and your
specialisation. I wonder if you would be willing to take me in as your PhD student.
I am attaching my research proposal and resume/CV for your consideration. I look
forward to hearing from you.

Thanking you in anticipation.

Best wishes,
Your name
 Sample Letter of Recommendation

It is my immense pleasure to recommend one of my best students, ________(student’s

name) for the (write name of scholarship you are applying for). As a plant physiology
teacher (add the subject that your professor has taught you) and supervisor of his thesis
research project; his intelligence, diligence, and honesty outweighed any other students in his
class and impressed me very much. I came to know him in the fall semester of 2008 while
teaching in his class. Both in class and office hours he had given me a strong impression.
During the course of studies, his grades were exceptionally good. In fact, his overall results
ranked first among the --------(no. of students in your class) students that I were teaching. He
secured excellent results and achieved --------- (position) in the Faculty of---------(your
faculty), and was awarded silver medal for this achievement.

In addition, his ability as a leader to other students and confidence in varieties of

challenges had brought him praises not just from me, but also from other members of the
Department as well. In his research project, “[your master or PhD project title]”, impact of
[write something innovative and novel about your project] were determined for the first time
in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The said research project is still being quoted frequently
for academic and professional discussions, which earned him “Grade –A+”.

________(student’s name) has a very unique ability of understanding and tackling

complex problems, which requires in-depth understanding of the subject & ability to analyze.
He used to surprise me sometimes with his view point and perspective when it came to
suggesting solutions to very multifaceted issues that came under discussion in the classroom.
This student exhibits some good characteristics, such as ability to analyze complex problems,
a very good learner with a charming personality. He demonstrated excellent participation not
just in class activities but also in extracurricular activities.

He is determined to face higher challenges and stronger competitions internationally. I

believe, if he has given an opportunity, he will progress his knowledge and practices in the
proposed field of study. I would like to appreciate your most favorite considerations to him
and, it would be a great pleasure for me to see him continuing his higher studies.

Professor’s name