<p>I'm just wondering when most people begin their undergrad research in order to obtain letters of recommendation for grad school. Is junior year too late? Im asking because I'm going to be a community college transfer and wont be able to begin until then.</p>
<p>junior year is fine. Most people do it during junior year. However, be aware that for most engineering majors, Junior year is the hardest of all so be prepared for it.</p>
<p>Would you say starting part way through Soph. year is a good idea? </p>
<p>How would/did you get involved with research? I am a Soph and very interested and will try my best to get a position next quarter. Did you just email prof based on their current research and ask them to take you on?</p>
<p>Anytime is really a good time to start UG research, though the earlier the better. Vega make sure you find a professor that is a good match for you and is in a field that you are interested.</p>
<p>Brando,</p>
<p>I was a UG researcher for 3.5 years and I felt it was a very rewarding experience. I have found that professors are likely to hire UG because there is always a push by the university to expose UGs to research. The best way to get involved is to first do your homework and find a field/topic that interests you and then go talk to the professor-face-to-face. If you get paid great but if anything ask the professor if you can hang out at the lab or at the very least, assist any of his graduate students. </p>
<p>One caveat is that you want to try to get “real research” experience in the sense that you are doing something meaningful as opposed to menial tasks such as cleaning things or paperwork. Remember, if you start your UG early you can sometimes develop enough work by your senior year to help fast-track a MS.</p>
<p>Thank you nshah, I appreciate your response/advice!!! I guess that means I will be checking up the prof’s profiles when this quarter is over. This quarter is a little bit too hectic to pick up research!</p>