Research for Fall Semester

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U23527

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This is my first post ever in a forum, so I'm not quite sure how to do this but I'll give it a try. I was planning on starting research in this coming fall semester but I'm unsure about when would be a good time to email them this summer. Should I do it now? Mid-summer? Later than that? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!🙂
 
The best time to contact a potential research mentor? I would say within a month should be fine
 
This is my first post ever in a forum, so I'm not quite sure how to do this but I'll give it a try. I was planning on starting research in this coming fall semester but I'm unsure about when would be a good time to email them this summer. Should I do it now? Mid-summer? Later than that? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!🙂
Now is a good time if you want to be considered for the best spots, provided the term is over for your school.

Are you going to "shotgun" it (spray inquiries in every direction) or do you have a focused group to contact based on interesting research you've seen online, student referral, or Advisor suggestion?
 
Now is a good time if you want to be considered for the best spots, provided the term is over for your school.

Are you going to "shotgun" it (spray inquiries in every direction) or do you have a focused group to contact based on interesting research you've seen online, student referral, or Advisor suggestion?


My interests lie in a focused group of people, but if those don't work out I may have to send emails to a broader range of professors
 
My interests lie in a focused group of people, but if those don't work out I may have to send emails to a broader range of professors

If your school has pictures of the PI you are interested in working under in their faculty pages, I found I got the most hits from those that smiled or looked friendly. Also look at their publications and reviews on ratemyprofessor. Also try to choose labs that have publications every 1-2 years because those will be the most productive. These labs usually have better funding and resources. You don't want to be in a dead lab with no recent publications. You definitely want a research position with a PI that cares about mentoring their students which would usually reflect on the other members of the lab which you will be working with. I would see what people say about their personality (of course people could be exaggerating too) and demeanor to make my judgement. Good luck!
 
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