<p>I'm a junior math major and physics minor, and I'm trying to find something to do this summer. I applied to about 8 REUs last year and didn't get accepted to any. I ended up just taking summer classes. I have a few options, but am looking for more.</p>
<p>The summer after my freshmen year I worked in a physics lab and that job should still be available to me as far as I know. I don't know if I will still get paid though. </p>
<p>I can also work with a professor on an honors thesis in linear algebra/abstract algebra trying to find a new method for finding the jordan canonical form of a matrix. </p>
<p>The last option is to work with a professor I have been working with this year. I have done an independent study in differential topology this past semester and will be continuing with an independent study in differential geometry this upcoming semester, so I am sure this professor and I can think of something to do over this summer. </p>
<p>I would really like to find some other opportunities. Unfortunately, as a math major at a liberal arts school where the most popular major is psychology, I'm kinda out of luck in terms of getting help from career services. I've looked through their listings before. I could try applying to REUs again, but last year I started after thanksgiving, so its probably a little late to try to get recommendations from professors and stuff, since the first deadlines are at the beginning of feb. and I don't get back to school until the end of jan. All the math work I'd do at school would be unpaid. </p>
<p>I'm considering just working with the professor interested in algebra just because doing real work with another professor would help with getting recommendations for grad school. I am fairly confident that I will have one really good recommendation because of the independent study I've already done and will be continuing next semester. So, doing work with this other professor would probably guarantee another really good recommendation. It also sounds like this other professor is fairly well connected.</p>
<p>So, if anyone knows where else to look...</p>