读博前的申请准备可谓是一项相当耗时耗力的工作，如果你有这个打算的话，不妨从本科阶段就开始准备，很多美国本土的本科生选择毕业后直接读博跳过硕士阶段，因为硕士在美国并不是一个十分常用的学位。那么，准备读博申请的第一步是什么？是像本科一样选校吗？由于博士相当于一门研究型工作，需要有导师带领，首先要做的事，是确定由哪位导师来带，这就需要与目标导师沟通套磁。
套磁是一场范围广，时间长的博弈，可以分为有目标的套磁和无目标的套磁。如果你曾经读过某位导师的书，听过他的名字，对他的研究领域十分感兴趣并有志于成为这个领域的牛人；如果你的本科教授是哪位博士生导师的好友，你们之间有所联系；如果你过去参加某场学术研讨会时，有幸认识了某位导师；那么这些都属于有目标的套磁。
如果是在各个学校的官方网站上寻找教授，每个院系的教授名单里都有对导师们研究领域的大致介绍可以查看，通过这种方式进行套磁的同学数量是最多的，属于广撒网型的无目标套磁。
很多人觉得要提交了博士申请之后再给导师发邮件，其实套磁应当在提交申请之前完成，先确定导师是否需要人才，是否看好你和你的学术研究，是否有充足的资金和实验室设备来支持研究。
美国院校的博士生申请是由导师来决定的，如果事先已经与你沟通过并表示十分看好你的话，你的录取基本是没有问题的，如果套磁进行的比较晚，导师可能已经录到了满意的学生，你就很难有机会再挤进去。当然，除了学术研究之外，博士也是一份工作，与你的导师提前沟通薪资也是一项重要的事情。你需要向导师询问奖学金，实验资金，各种经费，RA或TA工作名额等各项资金事宜，这个时候如果教授说资金不够或者目前不需要更多的人才进入科研项目，那么你就需要自费读博，这个时候你就需要再考虑一下是否要跟随这名导师完成博士学位。
一般的套磁在每年的八九月份就可以开始进行，先给目标教授发套磁信，然后广撒网给相似相近领域的教授发套磁信，由于每年套磁的学生十分的多，套磁信的回复率也很低，如果发送了很多邮件没有收到回复也不要气馁。即使有导师拒绝了你，你依然可以询问是否有其他合适的导师可以联系。提交申请之后也要继续套磁来争取更多的奖学金，有一些十分优秀的学生会被各种学校的导师反套，这个时候要想清楚自己到底想去哪一个组工作。
以下是几篇博士套磁信模板：
Dear Professor (Last Name),
My name is (Full Name), and I’m a graduate student at (University) where I major in (Degree Major). I’m graduating (Date). I would like to apply for a position on your Ph.D. program. I have a [GPA Score] and experience in our university’s [extra curriculum activities].
I am planning to attend a Ph.D. program with a focus on (subject). I first learned of your work from your article (article name). It was a great article and gave me a few ideas for my future research within the field. I particularly liked (something from the article).
I’ve been looking into various graduate programs where I can spend time delving further into this topic. The focal point of my project will likely be (project focus), and I am especially interested in exploring (Specific focus issue)
I’d like to inquire whether you’re accepting graduate students at this time. If so, would you be open to talking more via phone or email, or in person, about the possibility of joining your program? I’ve looked through your department’s website, and it seems complementary to my goals because of its focus on (department’s particular area(s) of research). However, I do have some questions about (question topic 1) and (question topic 2) that I’d like to talk to you about if possible.
I realize how busy you must be and highly appreciate your time. Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
(Full Name)
Dear Professor xxx,
I’m very sorry to bother you and send this email, but I really wish to contact you. I am a graduate student majoring in Physics Theory in the Department of Physics, Arizona University. I wish to pursue a doctoral degree in Physics at your university. My desired date of entrance is Fall 2019. I am writing this letter to you to introduce myself and query about the graduate programs at “Lab for Nanotech.” Thank you for reading this email.
Born on Sep 09, 1998. I entered Arizona University when I was 16 years old. I finished the 4-year undergraduate program in 3 years and achieved my degree of Physics Theory. I have done much research work on the topics of mesoscopic physics, such as carbon nanotubes, persistent currents, Aharonov-Bohm geometric phase effects, electronic transport phenomena, etc. Such modern research topics attract me very much n that they are associated with both Condensed-Matter Physics and microelectronics.
I wish to say that I am indeed interested in the graduate programs at Physics department of Oxford University, and I eagerly wish that I can join your research group. As I have also strong research intereats on carbon nanotubes, I do believe that the doctorate-oriented study under your direction will be of great help to me. I wonder, however, whether you do theoretical or experimental research works? I wish to state that, although my current research topics on carbon nanotubes are theoretical, I can also do experimental research works, espscially optical studies, due to my undergraduate majors in Optics. I hope my solid background in both ohysics and engineering can meet your general requirements of entrance to Physics Department as a graduate with financial supports. I deem it a great honor to become a graduate of Princeton, I admitted.
Would you please consider my application and tell me whether it is possible for me to be enrolled as your graduate with financial supports? Thank you very much for your kind assistance. I am looking forward to receiving your reply.
Sincerely,
xxx
看完以上两个模板，同学们对套磁信应该有了一个大致的了解，在构思自己的套磁信时务必要注意以下六大雷区：
1. 群发套磁信
最让人火大的莫过于博导收到一份情真意切的套磁信，正准备电话询问细节，结果1天之内，从好几个同事那边转发过来，说：“我觉得这个申请人的背景比较适合你的研究组”。
或者博导完全提不起兴趣而删除套磁信时，其他同事同时跑过来说：“我要了这个申请人！”
切记：套磁信，同一个大学不要同时套2个以上的老板。
2. 不诚实，夸大成果
一般你说了你发表了几篇一般文章，老板也懒得去查细节；但是有人在CV 中说发表了3篇sci。结果，导师找啊找啊找，什么也没找到。最后发现是投稿过3篇sci，但都被拒了。
3. 不回复老板的回信
这个问题主要是中国申请人的。也许因为大家习惯了用QQ、微信等，没有意识到许多国外大学EMAIL才是官方的通讯渠道。
对感兴趣的申请人，许多老板都会在看到套磁信后，马上EMAIL回复。一博导称：我对感兴趣的博士后申请人，经常在看到套磁信的2分钟内就回复，结果许多申请人，如泥牛入海，完全没有回响。
即使你对我没有兴趣，哼唧一下表示礼貌，总不会累死吧！套磁信那么长都憋出来了，一句回复也能累死你？
4. 套磁信没有针对性
如果把套磁对象换个其他名字，这封信还可以使用。
如信中说XX老师你好，我是YY，我做了ZZ，我对你的科研很感兴趣，以下是我的CV，盼回复等等。
这明显就是态度不端正，海套，没有针对老师的科研做一番功课，也没有思考学生和老师的科研相关性如何。
任你信里说的心潮澎湃，或者讲自己多么优秀，这种态度是很难让老师认真考虑你的。
5. 生硬攀关系
信中只是简单摘抄老板科研方向，并和自己科研生硬拉上关系。
有的同学看了老师的科研介绍，就说“我对您XX”方向很感兴趣，然后XX这里就是老师主页上面某一段的摘抄。
然后接着说“我做了YY，和您科研非常的相关”等等。但是XX和YY根本就不是一回事。
这种套磁太牵强，老师不会认真看的。
6. 情感表达过分强烈过于谄媚，过于委婉，过于冷漠等。
教授一般都比较喜欢直接的，不大喜欢看到什么your precious time啊，it's my great honor啊这种拍马屁的话，也不愿意看到学生小心翼翼的感觉。所以想说什么直说。
但是也要注意基本的礼貌，不要直呼教授的名字，信末尾也要写best wishes这种话，然后不要让教授觉得你在逼他做决定，或者觉得你牛气哄哄，或者你根本不care他是否愿意收你等等。
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