<p>Hi all,
I go to a university that woefully underfunds research in the social sciences. As a result, very few social science undergrads can get research experience. My school doesn't usually send people into policy (despite being in DC), and in order to intern at some of the think tanks and other organizations in the area, I need research experience. Is there any way I can get research experience independent of my university?</p>
<p>Are there any REUs or summer research programs that you can apply to? Do you have a university near your hometown or near someone that you can live with for the summer that allows undergrads to get research experience? The summer is a great time to get research experience because you have the flexibility to find an opportunity elsewhere. You may even be able to find a program or funding that gives preference to students from universities that don’t have many research opportunities (like LACs, smaller universities, etc). I got a fellowship as an undergrad that separated out students at research universities and students at LACs, so that students with less research opportunities in the field would still have a good chance.</p>
<p>Have you tried contacting every professor doing research in your field at your university if they would be willing to take a volunteer research assistant? Even if you’re just doing grunt work for free, that can be a way to get yourself in the door and have something to put on your resume, which will make it easier to get other things. Have you tried asking these professors for recommendations on how you could get research experience? Is there any research being done nearby, but not necessarily at your university? Try applying to internships even if you don’t have all of the experience they list because you never know what you’ll be able to come up with. Perhaps, you can tweak some of your experience to match or you can get something similar in another avenue.</p>