summer research help

[breakxbarriers]

hello, I am a sophomore biology major interested in performing research over the summer. unfortunately, I have no research experience (I worked in an immunology lab this past semester but did no research) and my 3.3 GPA has led me to rule out applying to any summer research programs. (if there are any programs I overlooked geared towards inexperienced fresh/soph please let me know!)

due to my economic situation, I want to stay at home for the summer because I do not want to pay for housing (and I don't feel like I have the stats/exp to ask for a housing stipend). would it look bad if I performed research at a school I did not attend? I'm willing to work full time for the entire summer, but would it be bad if I asked for an income? (or should I ask for a research stipend?). I'm considering saying something like "I'm interested in working on your research project, etc." Is it considered research if I am working on THEIR project and not on one that I independently devised and created?

sorry for all the questions, I guess I don't know much 😳. I did several searches, which helped answer a few of my other questions. any help would be much appreciated 🙂

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[immonpath]

most summer research opportunities foot the bill for housing so would that make you more available to do summer research away from your home institution. there are some dedicated to freshman and sophmore applicants.

also you could also volunteer your services to a lab at your local university, asking for a stipend is a bit wild since research dollars are hard to come by- but you don't lose anything by asking.

Good luck

 

[Silverfalcon]

I would highly consider SMDEP, ask your professor at immunology lab for possible LOR, and apply to some non-SMDEP programs.

 

[breakxbarriers]

alright, thanks! I will definitely talk to the professor of the lab I'm working in right now about a housing stipend.

would it be wild to expect a professor at another school to allow me to perform research if I'm only going to be there for three months (although I will be willing to work full-time?!). are experiences such as that usually a volunteer position or a paid job?

 

[Silverfalcon]

alright, thanks! I will definitely talk to the professor of the lab I'm working in right now about a housing stipend.

would it be wild to expect a professor at another school to allow me to perform research if I'm only going to be there for three months (although I will be willing to work full-time?!). are experiences such as that usually a volunteer position or a paid job?

When you say "another school," do you mean another institution that is near your area but the one you do not attend? If you mean another institution as in completely different area, then I would be very skeptical that anyone would hire you, given your sophomore status, unless you find funding and can take care of yourself for food, housing, and transportation. Laboratory work will be considered as research unless your laboratory is like pharmaceutical company (then employment if payment is given) or a clinic (then volunteer if it was done without any monetary compensation).

 

[breakxbarriers]

When you say "another school," do you mean another institution that is near your area but the one you do not attend? If you mean another institution as in completely different area, then I would be very skeptical that anyone would hire you, given your sophomore status, unless you find funding and can take care of yourself for food, housing, and transportation. Laboratory work will be considered as research unless your laboratory is like pharmaceutical company (then employment if payment is given) or a clinic (then volunteer if it was done without any monetary compensation).

yeah, I attend school on the east coast but I'm from the bay area, so I have plenty of universities nearby that I could drive to from my own house! I guess I'm asking if I could be paid a salary for my research in the lab.

also, isn't SMDEP geared towards shadowing/volunteering/taking classes? (atleast I think, I will do more research on this) I'm interested in a full-time research position. I'm already getting good experiences in shadowing/clinical experience right now. what do you mean by non-SMDEP?

 

[Lccjblu]

Here is the holy grail of summer internships:
http://people.rit.edu/gtfsbi/Symp/summer.htm

Better move fast, though. Many of the deadlines are coming up fast.

 

[Silverfalcon]

yeah, I attend school on the east coast but I'm from the bay area, so I have plenty of universities nearby that I could drive to from my own house! I guess I'm asking if I could be paid a salary for my research in the lab.

also, isn't SMDEP geared towards shadowing/volunteering/taking classes? (atleast I think, I will do more research on this) I'm interested in a full-time research position. I'm already getting good experiences in shadowing/clinical experience right now. what do you mean by non-SMDEP?

You can try, but I am not sure how likely that UC's will hire a sophomore in the laboratory AND pay you. I find it rather funny (no offense) that you used the term "salary" for 3-month of work. You will likely be doing very basic work, if any.

Since you have immunology laboratory experience, I would consider if you can talk to someone in MCDB department for immunology positions. Face the situation, however, that 1) the lab may be already filled with students for upcoming summer and 2) your email will be ignored.

 

[breakxbarriers]

You can try, but I am not sure how likely that UC's will hire a sophomore in the laboratory AND pay you. I find it rather funny (no offense) that you used the term "salary" for 3-month of work. You will likely be doing very basic work, if any.

Since you have immunology laboratory experience, I would consider if you can talk to someone in MCDB department for immunology positions. Face the situation, however, that 1) the lab may be already filled with students for upcoming summer and 2) your email will be ignored.

haha, no offense, I just wasn't sure if using "stipend" was a more appropriate term. do you think a research volunteer for a 3-month period is more realistic?

 

[breakxbarriers]

Here is the holy grail of summer internships:
http://people.rit.edu/gtfsbi/Symp/summer.htm

Better move fast, though. Many of the deadlines are coming up fast.

dang, I just feel disheartened looking through that list. I feel like I would stand no chance with a 3.3 and little research experience. thanks though!!!

 

[Silverfalcon]

haha, no offense, I just wasn't sure if using "stipend" was a more appropriate term. do you think a research volunteer for a 3-month period is more realistic?

Stpiend is usually a term used by institutions to award students for their work in the research. I know that the phrase is used in the place of "salary" for graduate schools, but it was just funny how you used it for 3-month undergraduate work. 🙂

I would say research volunteer is more, but I wouldn't have you define yourself one way or another. Just send several emails to PIs to express your interest and see what they say. The chance is, like I said, that many will ignore you as some labs only accept postdoc to do works.

 

[RocketSurgeon]

dang, I just feel disheartened looking through that list. I feel like I would stand no chance with a 3.3 and little research experience. thanks though!!!

Unfortunately you are correct 🙁

from my experience

Most programs that actually provide a stipend are ridiculously uncompetitive they are mostly geared towards juniors and seniors...

The avg gpa for accepted applicants is around a 3.7 and almost all have been involved in research for more than a year...

What I would recommend for you is to stick with your mentor and try to get more independent in terms of your responsibilities also almost all schools have some research grant for their own student so you should look into that...once you have a better research background apply to these summer programs next year..!

Good Luck