[DWarrior]

For people with actual jobs here, not college bums. I'm looking to apply for summer work, but one place that lists on the University site is in another state. They want a cover letter, resume, and references for an application. However, unless they provide room and board, I won't apply. Should I write out the whole thing and ask if they provide r+b in my cover letter, or is it acceptable to first send an unofficial email asking questions about the position, and then send a cover letter with resume? Will that hurt my chances of getting the job?

This is for a basic lab tech position at a particle research place.