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However, not all Chinese universities require the acceptance letter for the application of CSC Scholarship. So, it is significant for applicants to understand the requirements of their targeted Chinese university, as some universities highlight the acceptance letter as optional or priority, while others may not mention the requirement at all. Does a Student Need an Acceptance from a Chinese Professor? It depends on the university and the program you are going to apply for. Hefei University of Technology, for instance, lists the supervisor’s acceptance letter as optional; however, applicants with a pre-admission letter may get priority. While other universities may put the acceptance or pre-admission letter from supervisor as one of the application documents. For postgraduate applicants, especially for a research degree (master’s or PhD), it is recommended to get in touch with potential supervisor before submitting the application. In addition to pre-admission letters, some universities also accept other documents to show the intention of the applicant. Before sending out any emails, you should double-check the following information: How Far in Advance Should You Contact Chinese Professors? Applicants are advised to contact potential Chinese professors a few months before the application deadline. It is critical to give professors enough time to read your emails, check your documents, answer your questions, and then decide whether they can accept you or not. You can start preparing the professor list a few months earlier before the start of application. For example, if the application is open from September to December, it is suggested that contacting professors from September can give them enough time to prepare for the application. But this is not necessarily a rule, as the application deadlines vary from university to university. So, you should take the targeted program’s deadline as a reference. Never leave everything until the last minute. If a professor does not reply to your email, you will be forced to look for other potential supervisors. How to Find the Right Chinese Professors? Finding the right professors is more important than sending out hundreds of emails. The key point is to get familiar with what you want to study or research and find professors who share the same academic interests. First, you can find the professors’ information on the university’s official website. Navigate to the faculty page of your target major and collect the professors’ basic information, including research fields, academic positions, and the way to contact them. To get enough information from a professor, you can also use Google Scholar and check his/her latest research works. If possible, read at least one or two papers to ensure that the research topic matches your interest. Only when you are clear about what the professor’s research focus is, can you make a decision whether to add him/her to your professor list. Besides, the following information also matters: Read more about CSC scholarhsips Now, you can start preparing your professor list. A simple Excel sheet can help you record more detailed information, such as: Name | University | Research fields | Email | Date Contacted | Response Status How to Contact a Professor by Email Email is the most commonly used way to contact a potential supervisor. It is always suggested that your first email should be brief, polite, and personalized. Subject: Prospective CSC Scholarship Student – [Your Study Field] – [Your Name] Start with a greeting to introduce yourself. Briefly mention your academic background, current degree, or university. Elaborate that you are contacting him/her for the purpose of expressing your intention to apply for the CSC Scholarship and pursue the study field. The most important thing is to explain why you chose this professor. Specifying a research topic or a paper the professor published recently is a good way to show your sincerity. Finally, make a polite request. You can ask him/her whether he/she will be willing to accept you as his/her student and provide the pre-admission or acceptance letter if possible. Never copy the same email content to every professor you are targeting. Personalizing each email is vital. What Should I Write in My Email to Professors? A good email with no more than 300 words can be divided into several paragraphs with a specific purpose. It is always recommended to keep it polite and avoid exaggerating. Professors are very busy with their own research work and teaching, and a well-written email can help them see your intention quickly. Documents to Send with Your Email Your documents should support the information in your email without being overwhelmed. A brief academic CV is the most useful document when applying for a scholarship. The document usually contains your educational background, research experience, academic achievements, skills, and relevant work experiences. You can also attach your academic transcript, degree certificate, or language proficiency certificate if necessary. Depending on the university and program, you may also need to submit a research plan or study proposal. For a research degree (PhD or master’s), a research proposal can help the professor learn more about your research interests. Never send more than one folder with dozens of documents. If necessary, you can comply with the professor’s request and submit the relevant documents. How to Follow Up with a chinese Professor? Professors can be extremely busy with research, teaching, and administrative work, so it is quite possible that your first email has not gotten their attention. If you have not received a reply from the professor, you can send a polite follow-up email within one or two weeks. Briefly remind them of your initial request and make a polite inquiry. Avoid sending multiple follow-up emails within a short period of time. If there is no reply, you should prepare to contact other professors. Also, it is always a good idea to record the dates when you send the first email and follow-up emails. What Should an Acceptance Letter Include? An acceptance letter usually varies from university to university. Some universities will provide the template, and you should follow the official format if possible. Depending on the