Plastic surgery resources for med students

Research · first contact

Cold-Email Templates

For most students, one good email is what turns into a first project. Copy a template, make it specific to the person you are writing to, and send it.

Step one

Opening the conversation

Three ways in, depending on how much you already know about their work. The more specific you can be, the better each one performs.

  1. Subject[M1] Interested in your work on [specific topic]

    Dr. [Last name],

I'm [Your name], an [M1/M2] at [School]. I read your recent paper on [specific paper / topic] and was struck by [one concrete detail]. I'm hoping to build research experience in plastic surgery, with an interest in [breast reconstruction / your niche].

I'd love to help on any project you have, whether that's chart reviews, screening, data, or writing, and I'm reliable and can commit [X hours/week]. Would you have 15 minutes to talk about how I could get involved?

My CV is attached. Thank you for your time.

Best,
[Your name]
[School email] · [phone]

  2. Subject[M1] Help on your [project / database] work?

    Dr. [Last name],

I'm [Your name], an [M1/M2] at [School]. I saw your group is working on [specific project / uses the [X] database], and it lines up closely with my interest in [breast reconstruction / your niche].

I'd like to contribute wherever you need hands: data collection, chart review, screening, or manuscript drafting. I can commit [X hours/week] and turn work around quickly.

Could I grab 15 minutes to hear where you could use help? CV attached.

Best,
[Your name]
[School email] · [phone]

  3. SubjectInquiry: [Program] research fellowship

    Dr. [Last name],

I'm [Your name], an [M3/M4] at [School] planning a dedicated research year before applying into integrated plastic surgery. Your group's work on [specific area] is exactly the kind of [clinical-outcomes / database] research I want to spend a year doing.

Is the [Program] research fellowship taking applicants for [cycle]? I'd be glad to send materials or set up a call to discuss fit and output expectations. My CV is attached.

Thank you for your time.

Best,
[Your name]
[School email] · [phone]
Step two

After you have made contact

What to send once the first message is out, you have met them in person, or you have just been told yes.

  1. SubjectRe: [M1] Interested in your work on [specific topic]

    Dr. [Last name],

I wanted to gently follow up on my note below. I know your inbox is busy, but I'm still very interested in contributing to your research and happy to work around your schedule.

If someone else in your group (a resident or coordinator) would be a better contact, I'd appreciate a pointer.

Thank you,
[Your name]

  2. SubjectGreat to meet you at [meeting]

    Dr. [Last name],

It was great to meet you at [meeting / session]. I really enjoyed our conversation about [specific topic you discussed]. Thank you for taking the time.

You mentioned [project / opening / next step]. I'd love to stay involved: if there's a way to contribute to [that work], I'd welcome the chance. My CV is attached for reference.

Thanks again, and I hope the rest of the meeting goes well.

Best,
[Your name]
[School email]

  3. SubjectThank you, next steps

    Dr. [Last name],

Thank you for meeting with me. To confirm next steps: I'll [specific task, e.g., start screening abstracts for the systematic review] and send you an update by [date].

Excited to get started.

Best,
[Your name]
Before you send

What makes them land

The template is the easy part. These are the details that decide whether it gets a reply.

01

Keep it to five to seven sentences. Faculty read email between cases, and short messages get answered first.

02

Open with something specific: name one of their papers and the detail that drew you to it. Specificity is what separates your email from a mass send.

03

Make one clear ask. A fifteen-minute meeting, or a role on a named project, gives them something concrete to say yes to.

04

Lead with reliability over enthusiasm. State the hours you can commit each week and your record of finishing what you start.

05

Attach your CV, send from your school address, and double-check the spelling of their name and title before you hit send.

06

Send Tuesday through Thursday morning. Those messages tend to land better than Friday afternoon.

07

Follow up once, one to two weeks later. If the second message goes unanswered, move on to the next mentor on your list.

08

Email several mentors in parallel. A quiet inbox reflects how busy they are, not the quality of your message.

09

An introduction beats a cold email. If a resident or classmate already knows them, ask for the handoff first.

10

Name the project or database when you can. "Help on your NSQIP flap study" reads far more seriously than "any research?"

Templates and guidance are original, general best-practice advice. Adapt them to your own voice and follow your institution’s policies.