<p>I've applied to RSI, but my chances of getting in are very, very, very small, so I am beginning to think about what I'm going to do once the rejection letter comes. I am not particularly interested in doing another summer science research program, mainly because it seems kind of silly to fork over $3000+ when I could do it for free. </p>
<p>I've heard of people doing research in their hometowns at a local university, at a local science institution, etc. I am wondering how people managed to get those kind of internships set up. I live in the Los Angeles area, so I know there have got to be opportunities abound, but I haven't found any institutions or scientists that have any sort of application program, etc. Thoughts? Suggestions?</p>
<p>yeah, i've been wondering the same thing actually. could anyone lend some advice?</p>
<p>i started a thread on this, but got no advice</p>
<p>NIH has paid research internships for high school students. look on their website...</p>
<p>*NIH = National Institute of Health</p>
<p>haha i applied for that one too, but i'm not too confident i'll get in. so yeah, that's why i was wondering about local universities or whatever...how to get in touch with scientists</p>
<p>I did microbiology research on E. Coli last summer for 4 months through an NSERC scholarship. It's an institution that will pay you (about $1800 per month) to work full time in a University lab as long as you have a professor sponsor you and give you a summer project. They also pay the University for supplies.</p>
<p>I didn't know any professors so I just went straight up to a professor that had given a lecture seminar to my bio class and asked, and she sponsored me.</p>
<p>I think that they only offer these to Canadian students, though. To tell you the truth, it was a very boring summer, anyway. I spent my entire summer in a lab, and it got very boring very fast. The only reason that it was bearable was because of my coworkers. Would NOT do it again.</p>
<p>it's not too difficult to find summer research opportunities, actually</p>
<p>last year, i simply emailed a lot of professors at nearby universities and research institutions and most of them were willing to let me work with them, as long as I was 16 - which I was. i got to spend 8 wks in a lab and listen to seminars and do my own project and learn a lottttt - and i got paid!! it was awesome =]</p>
<p>so try emailing. it should work - g'luck!!!</p>
<p>thanks for all the advice. guess i'll try emailing scientists then. but if you don't mind me asking, did you just go to a university's website and search for different professors? or did you make connections in some other way?</p>
<p>I personally did the same as hamsi.
I started emailing around March and found out that for some profs, it was way too late already. Others just said they were too busy/not enough funding. I interviewed a few, realizing that some of those profs would just see me as an observer. However, I did find one that was very generous - money, independent research, etc.</p>
<p>I have no connections with the science field, and my qualifications were pretty limited (I mentioned good grades and a desire to learn -- I still haven't taken AP Bio yet). However I got lucky and I will probably work my prof until I graduate from hs.</p>
<p>And I did just go to the website, emailing interesting profs/dept heads that could direct me to certain profs.</p>
<p>i just went to their website and searched for professors in the field i was interested in. sadly, i had absolutely no connections whatsoever to help me out b/c my mom's an accountant and my dad's a computer engineer - absolutely unrelated to my field of interest: neuroscience</p>
<p>i got pretty lucky b/c i was accepted despite the fact that i hadn't shown them AP or SAT scores... </p>
<p>if u have any more questions, feel free to ask!</p>
<p>thanks so much guys!</p>
<p>Thanks everyone!! I appreciate it.
Just out of curiosity, have you guys enjoyed your research experiences, or have you found them to be dull busy work?</p>
<p>hmmmm it's dull busy work to a certain extent, but then when u compile all ur info, analyze it, and draw conclusions, it's pretty exciting =D</p>
<p>I've thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I didn't really find anything to be dull or busy work, even if its merely pipetting a solution together. I was amazed by the environment, with so many nice, extremely intelligent individuals around me. Even the support staff (ie. dishwasher/delivery man) was awesome.</p>
<p>How dull the work is depends on how interested you are on the topic. Pick something that you GENUINELY find interesting- believe me, it is not worth it to invest hours upon hours to do trials upon trials of tests on cancer cells if you really don't care for it.</p>
<p>I'm not really sure if my advice at this time is necessary...but, here it is anyways</p>
<p>The easiest way of getting to research in a lab or hospital in the summer is definitely forging your own connections. Its ridiculously easy if your related to someone who can help you, but I've had friends who have been able to get opportunities by bombarding professors at local universities and colleges (but not actually annoying them).</p>
<p>^i tried to do that this summer, i emailed a bunch of professors...well okay like 15. most didn't get back to me at all, the few who did either said they didn't have space or that i'd have to be 18.</p>
<p>i'd taken ap bio, ap chem, and apes too. it was rather frustrating, everyone i know who lives around where i live only got to do research through personal connections...usually a parent.</p>
<p>It sometimes depends on how early you can get in touch with a professor.</p>