Applying to More Than 1 Profs for SURF

Colleges and Universities A-Z California Institute of Technology
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<p>Hi Techers, I am a Caltech student. My major is Electrical Engineering. This is my first experience with SURF. </p>

<p>In December, I am planning to talk to more than 1 professor (say, 3 profs) to do a summer research. By asking more than 1 prof, I hope my chance of getting a SURF is bigger. But in the end I will only chose 1 prof to work with during the summer 2008. </p>

<p>I prefer to talk to the profs directly, and ask for available summer projects that suit my interest best, rather than choosing the projects from the Announcement of Opportunity from the SURF website (also because I prefer less-formalities).</p>

<p>My question is: Is it ethical to ask for a SURF to more than 1 prof? (I am assuming that applying for a SURF is like "applying for a job to more than 1 company"). </p>

<p>Say, some months later, more than 1 prof I talked to want to give me a SURF; say Prof A, Prof B, and Prof C. If I prefer the summer research with Prof A, what is the best and polite way to tell Prof B and C that I choose the project from Prof A?</p>

<p>Also, How can I make my chance of getting a SURF bigger?</p>

<p>Thank you so much for all the replies and insights.</p>

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<p>I think it's fine to contact more than one prof. I have done it in the past. When turning down profs, I simply said that I had decided to do a SURF with someone else and thanked them for their time.</p>

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<p>It's not guaranteed that every prof will have a project available for you. In general, most students work under a grad student or post-doc so it's unlikely the prof will hand you a project. Instead, the prof will probably try to match you with a grad student or post-doc (referred to as a co-mentor) to discuss possibilities. Your chances are bigger if the co-mentor thinks it will be beneficial to both parties, ie you will learn and contribute. As a frosh, this may be tricky since you don't have much experience yet.</p>

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<p>Oh yeah, I forget to mention that I am sophomore.</p>