<p>So I am just wondering what is the best way for a high school student to contact a college professor to express interest in research and ask for an interview or oppertunity for research?</p>
<p>I am very experienced and have won national science research awards.</p>
<p>Thank you for ur time.</p>
<p>Just say you were reading over his or her research and you find it to be interesting. Then say what you can offer and ask if he or she has a an opening. </p>
<p>Obviously don’t expect to get paid or anything but most professors will take you, considering you are volunteering your time</p>
<p>Take the time to learn about the professor and his/her research and to learn about that field, and then call or e-mail the professor and ask if there’s a way you can meet to learn more about their research. When you meet with the professor have some informed questions, and also ask about whether there’s a way that you can assist the professor in any way with the research. It also would be good if you had some ideas about how you could assist.</p>
<p>yea, read their research and then talk to them about it and make it seem like the most interesting thing that you have ever read…</p>
<p>also try to come up with little things that are pertinent to his research, that is, figure out something that you can contribute and tell him how: “oh i think x would work better if we did y”. Just try to seem to come off like you know what you’re talking about, comment on their work intelligently.</p>
<p>Another important thing is to list classes you’ve taken that is pertinent to the subject he is doing research in.</p>
<p>The thing i am most curious about is how to initially contact the professor. Do i say something like i am a high school student and interested in your research? </p>
<p>So in the 1st email, i say who i am, my interest level in professor’s research, and ask him for an opening?</p>
<p>Example of an e-mail to send:</p>
<p>Dear Professor Smith:</p>
<p>I am a junior at Central High School who is interested in eventually becoming a physician. During my AP biology class, I became interested in the neuroscience, particularly the relationship between memory and the cerebellum of rats’ brains. While reading about that subject, I learned that is one of your research areas.</p>
<p>Would it be possible for me to come in and talk to you about your research? I’m available most week day afternoons after 4 p.m. Is there a time that I could meet with you?</p>
<p>Sincerely,</p>
<p>your full name, e-mail and #</p>
<p>This would be a better way of eventually approaching the subject of doing research with the professor than would be asking about it in an e-mail. Many busy professors might automatically turn down a stranger’s request to do research with them. However, if they meet the student and see the student is well informed and seems responsible and mature, the professors may be more likely to take that student on as a research volunteer.</p>
<p>thanks!!!</p>
<p>I’ve looked at some of the teachers at my local university (which is a large low key state average act 22 school where I would for sure be more competitive than the average college student) and have found some professors that I would really be interested in doing research with. Now how should I go about contacting them? There is one I REALLY want to do research with so I don’t really want to contact a bunch to start so I can’t really learn from trial and error, but I can from you guys!</p>
<p>If I would email him, what would I say? If he would think about it I’m sure he would agree, but that is what I need to make him do - think about it. Do you think I should attach a resume which has some really good stuff in? I am around the campus all the time also and it isn’t out of the way so an option definitely is going in at their office hours. What is better email or stopping in and dropping off and resume giving a pitch and then saying please think about it. I don’t want to overwhelm any of them, I really want them to think through the advantages of FREE LABOR!!!</p>
<p>Also my biggest dilemma is when to contact these people. I want to do research this summer so the issue is I don’t want to be to early and I don’t want to be too late and have the positions lined up. Also, it would be nice to wait till the end of march when I would officially be named valedictorian to possibly put on my resume but putting my rank would be the same thing I suppose.</p>
<p>What do you guys think? Thanks!</p>