Surviving competitive undergrad research

[MiniFreud]

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I've recently transferred to UCSD to finish up the last 5 quarters or so of my bachelor's degree.

From what I've heard, this school is pretty competitive when it comes to getting undergraduate research experience. For many reasons, there are a lot of people bogging down the system.

Does anybody have anything useful to share about getting your foot in the door in research labs at competitive schools? Is there anything in particular I need to do other than simply being persistent, polite and obviously interested in the field for its own sake?

 

[imbored]

I've recently transferred to UCSD to finish up the last 5 quarters or so of my bachelor's degree.

From what I've heard, this school is pretty competitive when it comes to getting undergraduate research experience. For many reasons, there are a lot of people bogging down the system.

Does anybody have anything useful to share about getting your foot in the door in research labs at competitive schools? Is there anything in particular I need to do other than simply being persistent, polite and obviously interested in the field for its own sake?

I don't know what its like at UCSD, but I would be shocked if there was truely no research opportunities there. From my experience, I have found that there is always professors looking for udergrads in their labs, even if they aren't actively advertising positions.

Maybe it would be hard to get into a nobel laurette's lab there, but try to look at some of the junior faculty labs. Those labs end up being the most informative anyway.

Is there a certain field you want to go in?

 

[MiniFreud]

I was looking to do something in the field of neuroscience. I'm studying biochemistry though, and have yet to touch upper division classes beyond organic chemistry. Will that be an issue? Do they really care much at this point what skills I can bring to the table, or is it more about my interest level and committment?

 

[dobbysamosa]

If the on-campus labs are tough to find spots in, you could try looking at the nearby Salks, Scripps, and Burnham Institutes (among others). Salks and Scripps have amazing neuro and biochem PIs.

You don't necessarily need experience to get a lab position (everyone needs to start somewhere right?), but obviously the lab needs an incentive to invest in training a new lab member. Most likely you'll start of learning to do basic techniques (ie cloning, tissue culture, mouse genotyping, or other skills) for other members of the lab, until you're sufficiently proficient to take on your own independent project. Just email PIs that interest you, articulate your interest and ability to learn quickly (ie be useful to them), and you shouldn't have too much trouble.

 

[imbored]

Do they really care much at this point what skills I can bring to the table, or is it more about my interest level and committment?

At the undergraduate level, professors would rather have someone that is super excited to learn and would have a passion for their reasearch, rather than someone who has some skills that is not really committed. They realize that most undergraduates don't have experience, and that is ok!

 

[Neuronix]

I did my PhD at big name competitive undergrad school, and we rarely had undergrads. When we did, they were often lazy, unmotivated, and were just looking to have a good time and pad their CVs or get paid until they could get into medical school. But, we kept taking undergrads because we believe in our educational mission, and most of you do come for free. It's very easy to stand out in a good way.

So I really don't see this as much of an issue. Just knock on doors until one opens.

 

[JetsSBXLIII]

I've recently transferred to UCSD to finish up the last 5 quarters or so of my bachelor's degree.

From what I've heard, this school is pretty competitive when it comes to getting undergraduate research experience. For many reasons, there are a lot of people bogging down the system.

Does anybody have anything useful to share about getting your foot in the door in research labs at competitive schools? Is there anything in particular I need to do other than simply being persistent, polite and obviously interested in the field for its own sake?

Hey MiniFreud, I hate to say it but persistence is the key. I went to UCSB where there were more ample research opportunities for undergrads, but I still had to beat some people out. It is somewhat of a different story at UCSD, I think because very few lab courses are offered (is this correct?). Due to this, every pre-med undergrad is scrambling to get in to a lab somewhere to get some experience. Even if there is no room anywhere in a PI's lab on campus, we are lucky because this place is teeming with opportunities to do research if you know where to look. You could try talking to people at some of the off-campus institutions (ie, Salk, Burnham, Scripps Research Institute, The Neurosciences Institute, etc.) or even some biotech. companies. You will still get the research experience and may even make a little money on the side, sweet deal. Start talking to people, and be persistent. The only reason I came down to SD from SB was to somehow get into the Scripps Institution of Oceanography (to do my Phd, before I found out about the combined program). After consistent poking and prodding, I finally squeezed myself in as an SRA and I couldn't be happier. If you want to discuss this stuff in more detail, PM me. Hope this helps...

 

[JetsSBXLIII]

Oops, didn't realize I basically quoted dobbysamosa...sorry 'bout that 😛

 

[imbored]

From what I've heard, this school is pretty competitive when it comes to getting undergraduate research experience. For many reasons, there are a lot of people bogging down the system.

Actually, thinking about it, how do you know its competitive (other than hearing it is)? Have you tried actually emailing professors yet? If you haven't I would suggest you try that first before going to the offsite places, because I find it curious that there wouldn't be any labs looking for undergrads. I go to a relatively competitive state school (tho probably not as competitive as yours), and I was able to get into a good neuroscience lab the day before I started classes my freshman year (i.e. I didn't know what a neuron looked like) purely based upon my motivation and enthusiasm to do research.