<p>Hi everyone... my name is Emily. I'm not sure if this is the right place to post it, but I was wondering how to go about getting some research opportunities in computer science. I'm a sophomore in high school and I've been interested in programming and computers, esepcially A.I., for about five years.</p>
<p>I live about an hour away from UC Berkeley, so I was considering e-mailing some of the professors there, but I really have absolutely no idea how to go about doing that. Would I ask them to mentor me on my own project or would I be helping them out with something that they're working on? And would I have a chance of getting anything for this summer knowing that I'm going to be at Stanford EPGY for 3 weeks? Would I have a chance of getting anything at all ever? And if so does anyone have any advice for how to write to them?</p>
<p>Thanks! :)</p>
<p>Given that you aren't a student at either institution, your chances of being mentored or supervised by a prof are extremely slim. Keep in mind that this is what graduate students need year after year (a faculty member to supervise their thesis) and there are always problems finding enough profs. Stanford is more accepting of undergraduate research, so it might be a good idea to attend there for undergrad. The graduate program, where 90% of the research is done at most institutions, is extremely difficult to get into and many faculties will never be able to accommodate even their own undergraduates, let alone extraneous students. </p>
<p>I think your best option would be to write up a research proposal and submit it. Hopefully you'll find a professor who has time and is willing to help. It will be difficult, but it would be an amazing opportunity, so give it a shot!</p>