<p>I understand that the majority of summer programs, even the most selective ones, say that no previous research experience is necessary for acceptance, but I can hardly believe that this is not a critical part of the application. I always have had a love for science, yet up until this point, that has been capped at the best science classes my school has to offer- I haven't done anything outside of school. </p>
<p>This year however, I'm changing that around. Next trimester, I'm working with my AP Chem teacher on an independent study, and I also plan to take up a garage-type physics project with a friend over the summer. Yet as I'm filling out applications for summer research programs, I find I'm at a loss for words in the sections that ask for stories of previous experience, or continued research. Obviously, I can only resort to communicating my passion for science through rhetoric and a desire to "show my potential."</p>
<p>Are there any research summer program alumni out there who can share their experiences with me? How did the application work for you? How did you contact professors without a specific proposal? How was being involved in a research project that up until the program, you knew nothing about?</p>
<p>Maybe you should mention in an essay about how your love for science led you to not be challenged by the top classes, ie AP Chem, and so you asked for an independent study from said teacher. If you ask your AP Chem teacher for a rec, she/he can probably talk about that too and verify. And in that essay, perhaps you can say something about how you discovered research or something. </p>
<p>As for contacting professors, I actually didn’t mention past research experience. I actually just told them that I was a high school student, was interested in their research, and had a few questions about their research and for my own project. It worked out. </p>
<p>It depends on the professor, though. Most of the professors I contacted either didn’t reply or didn’t want to help me to come up with a specific project. However, if you narrow down your idea pretty far, they’d be happy to help. </p>
<p>As I’ve actually not applied to any summer programs as of now, and since I do have research experience, I don’t know about applying without research experience. But hopefully I helped some. :)</p>
<p>Summer programs are different in what they look for. The first summer program I did took a range of students with various levels of experience or no experience at all. I personally had never heard of running a gel or PCR while others had a year or two of experience. The following summer I applied to a different summer program and they said I had too much experience.</p>
<p>I have never come up with my own research project. At my first internship, my mentor explained what the goal of my project was and worked with me to design it. This approach was really great and I enjoyed my project. However, my friend who did the same summer program but was placed in a different lab disliked his project (but loved his lab). It is hit or miss.</p>
<p>When emailing professors and lab heads, I never mentioned wanting to a specific project. Instead, I just said I wanted them to help them with their research. I ended up just assisting one lab member while I learned the ropes of the lab before the lab head and I worked together on making a special project for me that worked towards the goal of the entire lab. Making an individual project from the lab’s overall project is a win win and more professors will be interested in this approach.</p>
<p>However, if you do have a specific project already, go ahead and discuss that. Just know this may be harder if it does not fit perfectly under the lab’s overall research.</p>
<p>thanks for the input guys. I’ll incorporate that in my essays.</p>
<p>Also, I’m applying to some tough summer programs like Clark and Simons, and fear that, as the chance of getting in is so slim already, having little research experience will null the possibility entirely. are there any alumni out there? it this really is the case, I’d much rather apply to TASP and send the rest of my break working on those massive essays.</p>