<p>I've been interested in nanotechnology since 10th grade HS, but have only recently been able to show academic/research interest. I've aced grad classes in chemistry and nanotechnology (among others) and am finally doing research in our school's nanolab this semester, but i'm afraid it will be too little too late for top matsci programs that do the research I like. I've tried to do nanotech research many times both at my school with a professor as well as at a national lab and a reu, but have been denied every time. The professor wanted me to do OR research because that's all i've done before, and I guess my 3.99 gpa wasn't high enough for the other programs. I understand to a certain extent why they want mature students only using these machines (1 wrong sneeze =$15,000 repair bill), but it is annoying because I have no out of classroom lab experience going into my senior year and i'm going to basically hope grad programs take a leap of faith on my desire and ability to do lab work with multimillion dollar machines.</p>
<p>Any lab work is helpful to your grad application, regardless if it is exactly what you want to do in your future. The point is to prove that you are suited for research work and will make an effort to get it onto your CV and build experience for the next level. You need not start at the top, but participation is helpful. REU’s and all are competitive. Picking up a postition with a prof at your school, or a school summer or semester grant can be easier. You apply, talk to them, ask for leads, and take what you can get. And hopefully pick up a good LOR along the way. Do something this summer. It’s late, but keep trying, it should enhance the resume. Don’t think something is beneath you.</p>
<p>I have an internship this summer, but unless grad schools look at my experience as being cheap labor for a company as good experience for being cheap labor for a university (as phd/masters programs have been described to me), I’m not sure it will help a lot.</p>
<p>As the title says, any research helps. I have done research in every field of chemistry and some sub-fields (Process Analytical Chemistry). So when I interviewed with the R&D company I work for, they were impressed with my research experience, although the position was in a sub-field of chemistry. Research experience shows that you can apply what you learned in the class room. Also, it shows that you have the necessary leadership and intellectual qualities that are seen as valuable in graduate students. Think about it. When you finish your Ph.D., you might go into industry (bad idea, no IP rights, etc.), where you will be placed in charge of expensive equipment and high profit projects from day 1. If you go into academia, you will probably have to post-doc, where you will be expected to lead others, as well as, you own projects. Most importantly, gaining research experience helps you understand how to do research and it gives you the needed confidence to express your ideas to others (PI, post-docs, grad students, etc.)</p>