Approaching a prof about research

[Dr. Mojo]

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Hi everyone,

I have been reading the SDN forums for a while and have found them extremely helpful. This is my first post on SDN 🙂

I was just wondering how you guys approach a professor for whom you want to do research. I've only taken a class with this prof and he doesn't know me well. Should I just go to his office to see him or write him an e-mail along the lines of:

I was a student in your class this past semester. I was really hoping I would be able to do research in your lab during this semester. I would be more than happy to come by your office to discuss this at whatever time is most convenient to you. Thanks in advance and I greatly appreciate your taking the time to read this e-mail.

Stupid question I know but I just don't know the etiquette with this sort of situation.

Thanks again,
Mojo

 

[nimotsu]

does the department at your school have a list of profs that are interested in letting undergrads do research in their lab.

Honestly, not all profs want undergrads in their lab. Your letter should be fine to broach the subject.

 

[Dr. Mojo]

does the department at your school have a list of profs that are interested in letting undergrads do research in their lab.

Honestly, not all profs want undergrads in their lab. Your letter should be fine to broach the subject.

He mentioned in class that there are departmental undergraduate research awards for the summer but I wanted to do research during the semester. He didn't specify that he wanted students working for HIS lab though.

Mojo

 

[nimotsu]

He mentioned in class that there are departmental undergraduate research awards for the summer but I wanted to do research during the semester. He didn't specify that he wanted students working for HIS lab though.

Mojo

It doesn't hurt to ask him. Have defined interests... make sure you are actually somewhat interested in what his lab does. Also, many profs want a commitment because training a new lab member is useless if it's just for a semester (usually research is like 2-3 semester for an undergrad). Just understand that not all sci profs are crazy about having undergrads in the lab... and he may not have room for a undergrad yet he could tell you to contact one of his fellow profs to talk about doing research there. Just ask.

 

[NikkiFSU]

Yeah, look @ this website and what they research and mention if you are interested in the subject matter. And give them a reason to take you. It is a major to train an undergrad ESPECIALLY since we don't understand the complex science and biology they do.

If it is an interesting lab/great prof, chances are that it is well sought after. Mention something to make you stand out, it was other prior experience in my case...and it will convince them you're worth the effort of training, etc. Chances are a grad student will get "stuck" teaching you a lot of stuff. Mention your grades or whatever so they know you're a good student and are confident you can handle yourself.
I emailed my mentor and explained my interest, and the project I did one summer @ U of R back home, and the work study reseach I had. She wrote back explaining that usually she likes to get to know students in the classroom, and has 1-2 yr waitlist if she takes you in, but would be more than happy to help someone with my experience.

They get emails all the time that are informal..so make it a little personal. You can mention "I thought it was really interesting in class learning about ____ " or like "I'm applying to medical school due to my clinical interests, but your class motivated me to explore research because ___ ". You get the point.
Oh! Ask around about the person....some professors "exploit" undergraduates through their willingness to get experience, and give them a bunch of BS tasks and busywork. You want to join a lab where the professor is interested in your professional and personal development and will help you when it is time to apply, work on your project, be there when you need to troubleshoot, and offer you opportunities to get publications. But, as with any experience, you need to start somewhere. If they offer you something that seems lame or pointless, give it a try...usually you will gain more responsibilities/respect/indepedance/rewards with time.