Dr. Banda Khalifa

Professors receive dozens of cold emails weekly. Your subject line is the first filter. Example of s𝘂𝗯𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻



Most cold emails go unread, not because the professor isn’t open to students, but because the subject line fails.

Make it specific, professional, and relevant.

Here are examples that professors actually open:


① Clear Research Interest

✅ “Prospective PhD Student Interested in HIV Prevention Research”

Never say….

❌ “PhD Inquiry”



② Referencing a Specific Paper

✅ “Question Regarding Your 2023 Lancet Article on TB Control”



③ Shared Background or Context

✅ “Former WHO Intern Applying to Johns Hopkins PhD Program – Interested in Your Work”



④ Application Timeline

✅ “Prospective PhD Applicant for Fall 2025 – Maternal Health Research”



⑤ Conference or Event Connection

✅ “Follow-Up from Your Keynote at APHA Conference – Global Health Research”


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𝗥𝘂𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗯: If your subject line could apply to 20 professors, it’s too vague.


Professors open emails that show effort, context, and fit; right from the subject line.


💬 Which subject line style would you be most likely to use?


♻️ Repost to help future scholars stop getting ignored in the inbox.

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1 day ago | [YT] | 7