When should I talk to my profs about research opportunities?

[Jfz]

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I'm starting undergrad in the fall, just wondering when people usually start things like this

 

[Dannyw]

Wait until you take some classes in the subject that you want to do research in. Asking as a freshman to do research they will either get pissed or laugh at you for thinking you can actually provide any substance to the process. If you mean a research assistant, even then those positions are generally for the upper class-men and or graduate students.

 

[Narmerguy]

Wait until you take some classes in the subject that you want to do research in. Asking as a freshman to do research they will either get pissed or laugh at you for thinking you can actually provide any substance to the process. If you mean a research assistant, even then those positions are generally for the upper class-men and or graduate students.

This really depends. People say this a lot but it isn't necessarily true. I asked as a Spring Semester freshman but I had AP credits as well to go off of. Either way, you don't have to wait if you don't want to. Don't expect to be getting awesome amazing projects to explore on your own but there's nothing wrong with getting affiliated with the process and the tools you'll be using since they'll spend most of the early time just training you and familiarizing you with their past research.

I'd advocate wait at least a semester. Yes, it can often be good to wait a full year but it's not a requirement so make this decision on your own. Often people try to ask a professor they had a class with and did well in but that's not necessarily a requirement either (I asked a professor whom I've had no classes with). It's just usually easier if you have some type of relationship with the professor to go off of.

 

[shiftingmirage]

I suggest holding out til you find a prof and a project you like. There is nothing worse than working in a lab where you and the PI or other lab mates don't get along, or a project that bores you. Especially if you are signing up to work there for 4 years.

 

[afugazzi]

Wait until you take some classes in the subject that you want to do research in. Asking as a freshman to do research they will either get pissed or laugh at you for thinking you can actually provide any substance to the process. If you mean a research assistant, even then those positions are generally for the upper class-men and or graduate students.

Nah, not true. Profs don't hire undergraduates because they think they'll really be useful; they do it to help the undergrads. I asked my prof during fall of freshman year and it was a good research experience. I got lucky, though, in that I was already taking a class with him (and he happened to be doing exactly what I was interested in), so I could wait until after we took our first exam to ask. I would start now looking on your university's website for research that interests you. You can send out emails asking if there's "any way for me to get involved" (sounds better as a young student than asking straight up to be a "research assistant").

 

[Narmerguy]

Nah, not true. Profs don't hire undergraduates because they think they'll really be useful; they do it to help the undergrads. I asked my prof during fall of freshman year and it was a good research experience. I got lucky, though, in that I was already taking a class with him (and he happened to be doing exactly what I was interested in), so I could wait until after we took our first exam to ask. I would start now looking on your university's website for research that interests you. You can send out emails asking if there's "any way for me to get involved" (sounds better as a young student than asking straight up to be a "research assistant").

👍 Yep I agree as well, except that I would add that you should consider meeting them in person as well to talk to them.

 

[tallandshort]

I'm starting undergrad in the fall, just wondering when people usually start things like this

First, I would suggest looking on your university's website for some areas of interest. Then take an intro course that will give you a little prep in that area. For example, if you want to get involved in medical research take gen bio. During your second semester of gen bio, start e-mailing PIs or professors who you would be interested in working for and ask if they have any open positions, etc. Usually getting involved the summer before your sophomore year or during your sophomore year is best, since you'll still have plenty of time to work in the lab before applying to med school and it will therefore be an in-depth experience both for you and your application. Take care!