STEPS TO FOLLOW

• Consult our 8 spheres of excellence in research and the examples of projects being offered in each of them. Several of these professors routinely recruit students to pursue studies based on these research themes.

• Consult our directory of research projects currently being offered by our professors (list is not exhaustive)
   
• Consult our directory of expertise and the information sheets on professors linked to the project. This will help you identify those who may be in a position to suggest a project not in the directory. Signalling your interest in a project may lead a professor to propose a research project that has yet to be included on our site.

After identifying a project and/or a professor whose work interests you, contact them by email to determine if they’re interested in your profile and research interests – this will maximize your chances of being accepted into a research-based Master’s or PhD program.

An initial email should be sent roughly 6-12 months before you wish to start your studies. Each professor’s website contains their research interests, publications, affiliations, and contact information.

Your initial email should contain:

• Brief introduction
• Explanation of your interest in the project and/or why you want to undertake a research-based Master’s or PhD with the professor you’re contacting
• Strong supporting documents pertaining to your academic background (relevant experience, university transcript, publications and proceedings, etc.)

To help you get the best results from your contact by e-mail:

• Be clear and concise.
• Personalize your e-mail by including information you learned about the professor from his profile page. Show them that you are informed and that you are interested in their field of research and their research work.
• Demonstrate that you are willing to discuss with them by video conference or telephone.
• Start by contacting one or two professors. If you have not received a response, do not hesitate to contact other professors.

Once contact has been established:

• Ask questions about the professor’s supervisory approach and their expectations from their students.
• Ask if the project you are interested in is funded.
• Ask any question that you believe is pertinent.

Suggested documents to include in your e-mail:

• Your CV
• Your transcripts
• A letter of recommendation
• All other documents pertinent to your request (ex.: publications related to the professor’s subject).

After a professor accepts your request for supervision, you can submit your application online taking care to indicate in the form the name of the professor. It is at this stage that your file will be studied by our admissions officers.

If you have not received a response from a professor, you can still submit an application. We will circulate your application in the department concerned, and a professor interested in your research profile and area of research may contact you or accept your request. However, the success of this exercise is not guaranteed.

If a professor agrees to supervise you after you’ve submitted your application, you can advise Polytechnique via email at: admission.etudessuperieures@polymtl.ca (for the research-based Master’s) or admission.doctorat@polymtl (for the doctorate (PhD). Make sure to identify yourself in your e-mail by indicating your first and last name, your birth date and application file number as well as the name of the professor who responded positively.