<p>Would it be possible to get into a good grad school without having any research experience?
By the way I'm a sophomore and my GPA is excellent so far (3.75).</p>
<p>+1 just for the name.</p>
<p>I’m afraid I can’t actually answer your question, though.</p>
<p>“Would it be possible to get into a good grad school without having any research experience?”</p>
<p>Lol, no.</p>
<p>^ I know and I tried… but it’s so hard (for a sophomore) to get a research position.</p>
<p>Could anyone give me some tips please?</p>
<p>I find it very surprising that it’s difficult for a sophomore to get a research position. What sorts of things have you said in your emails to professors?</p>
<p>^ Basically I tried URAP every semester and contacted some professors directly via emails. I said usual stuff in my emails such as why I’m interested, why I think I’m qualified, classes i’ve taken, etc… Sent along with my resume and (unofficial) transcript. I guess the competition is extremely tough. Any suggestions???</p>
<p>If you want your email to stand out, you really want to show that you’re interested in that person’s research. If you’re looking to do research ASAP, you should search for each professor’s name and look for papers in the past couple years (I just use google scholar usually). If you’re not in as much a rush, the best way to find stuff that interests you is to attend talks on campus. </p>
<p>Look at this page:[UC</a> Berkeley Events Calendar](<a href=“Events at UC Berkeley”>Events at UC Berkeley)
Each day, there are probably 20 talks on campus, and hopefully at least one will sound interesting. They probably won’t be by someone who’s here, but there will almost certainly be someone here doing related research so this will point you into an area that you will really enjoy delving into.</p>
<p>I have plenty of friends (me included) who found research in their freshman/sophomore years. Maybe you’re approaching the situation incorrectly. Usually, my email lists:
- Why I contacted them specifically
- What background I have that relates to their specific topic
- Why I want to do research
- General pleseantries</p>
<p>If the prof thinks it’s a mass email, they won’t be willing to respond. However, if you show genuine interest, few profs will refuse :)</p>
<p>I found a research position.
I AM SOOOOOO HAPPY!!!</p>
<p>(my next goal is to get a blonde hottie)</p>
<p>^^^Let us know how that one turns out for ya! :)</p>