Applying to an REU in a field outside of your major?

Career Opportunities & Internships
1

<p>I'm double majoring in Mech. Eng. and computational and applied math. I have programming experience in C and C++. Very proficient in MATLAB and other numerical software.</p>

<p>Basically, I want to do an REU in computer science. It's not as if I know nothing about the subject - for the comp. math major we're pretty much required to learn C and a bit of C++. I'm a junior and my major GPA (for both majors) is a 4.0. Overall GPA is 3.97. As for other stuff on my resume, I've studied abroad and taken courses full time in my major. Part of Engineers WIthout Borders too.</p>

<p>I have no prior research experience. As for letters of rec, I think I have one really great one and one good one. </p>

<p>So do I have a chance at anything? The UC Berkeley one sounds amazing but I can't help but feel like I don't have a chance.</p>

2

<p>Yes, you have a chance. A lot of people do REUs in subjects outside their major.</p>

3

<p>It might depend on the REU. My son had one person in one of his CS REUs that was a Chem Eng major. The professor that he would be working for needed someone with a chemistry background that could also program. He could get help from the other interns for aspects of Computer Science needed that he was weak at or didn’t know.</p>

<p>So it does happen but your odds aren’t as good as someone majoring in the REU subject.</p>