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- Jan 13, 2015
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Hi all, younger non-trad here with a research question... I know there are quite a few threads on non-traditional research, its importance or lack thereof, and how to get involved. So please, if I missed a similar thread that could provide me the answers I am seeking, feel free to direct me there.
My question is.. Is there any possibility of getting research experience before, or just as, I begin taking my science pre-reqs? I am assuming to approach a chem professor about helping out in a lab, they would expect that student to have SOME science background. I will only be taking Gen Chem 1 in the fall and Gen Chem 2 next spring while working full time as a nurse. My plan is to work another 15 months from now for both experience purposes and $$$ (just started working as a nurse 9 months ago), and then to step away from work and take the Ochem, bio, physics sequences full time for two semesters starting in Fall 2016. I know that with an otherwise well-rounded application, a non-trad student would not necessarily need research. However, if possible, this is something I would like to add to my application.
CLIFFS- Does a student need previous science courses to ask a prof to let him/her "help out" in their lab?
How valuable is the sort of unpaid/non-publishable/free labor experience on an app? What sort of time commitment do most profs expect?
My question is.. Is there any possibility of getting research experience before, or just as, I begin taking my science pre-reqs? I am assuming to approach a chem professor about helping out in a lab, they would expect that student to have SOME science background. I will only be taking Gen Chem 1 in the fall and Gen Chem 2 next spring while working full time as a nurse. My plan is to work another 15 months from now for both experience purposes and $$$ (just started working as a nurse 9 months ago), and then to step away from work and take the Ochem, bio, physics sequences full time for two semesters starting in Fall 2016. I know that with an otherwise well-rounded application, a non-trad student would not necessarily need research. However, if possible, this is something I would like to add to my application.
CLIFFS- Does a student need previous science courses to ask a prof to let him/her "help out" in their lab?
How valuable is the sort of unpaid/non-publishable/free labor experience on an app? What sort of time commitment do most profs expect?