Keep it to five parts
My successful email had five short parts: who I was, the programme I was applying to, one precise research connection, one item of evidence, and one answerable question.
I am applying to the summer school because I am beginning work on dispersive equations. Your note on local smoothing helped me understand why my current approach breaks down. Would you recommend I foreground that project in the application, or keep the statement focused on the prerequisite analysis courses?
What I attached
Only a one-page CV. I did not attach an unfinished proposal, certificates, or a generic transcript dump. The programme already had its own submission process.
No-IELTS pathways
A waiver is not a universal exemption. It usually means the host accepts a previous degree taught in English, a letter from your institution, or another approved test. Read the event’s own eligibility page and ask before assuming your document qualifies.