<p>I was recently accepted to the UW and met with an advisor regarding the possibility of getting involved in research. I am not sure how to begin the process and because I am a transfer student I feel that I have a shorter period of time to take advantage of any opportunities. I asked my advisor if it would be appropriate for me to contact professors who I have not yet had a courses with to obtain information about current projects, but she seemed hesitant to support this idea. Does anyone have any advice on how to move forward? Should I simply e-mail individual researchers and inquire about openings? Any advice would be appreciated.</p>
<p>Look up professors and read what they’ve published. What projects are their grad students working on? Hopefully you’ll be completely enamored with everything they’ve ever done/written. When you’re completely smitten, you’ll find a way into their lab…</p>
<p>While at Central, I decided to approach a UW professor I thought was interesting. On my way to her office (in a research building), I saw one of her PhD students and struck up a conversation with him about his work. I wrote an email to the brilliant professor and Cc’d the grad student with his permission. I’ve been there for a year. </p>
<p>I don’t recommend sending an email for undergrad research “openings” . It’s likely that you’d get ignored. Read, read, read! Show interest, try to ask intelligent questions. Hopefully you’ll find someone to approach, then ask them if there are projects where you can lend some helping hands. It’s likely they’ll ask you where you want to focus your efforts. Hopefully you have an answer, then you’ll have your position. I’ve never heard of an interested student being turned away.</p>
<p>As an incoming freshman this year I also wanted to get involved in research. I sent emails to several professors in the department that I was interested in (Aero Astro). Only one replied but he put me in touch with another professor who got me working as an unpaid lab assistant in the Ram Accelerator lab over the summer.</p>
<p>My advice is to look online first, find professors and researchers who are working on projects that interest you. Talk about the specifics in your emails to them, for example: “I am interested in your research involving high energy plasmas and gamma rays” instead of “I’m interested in Physics research”. And don’t be afraid to cast a wide net.</p>
<p>Take a look at the Undergraduate Research Program page: [Find</a> Research At UW | Information for Students](<a href=“http://www.washington.edu/research/urp/students/find/atuw.html]Find”>http://www.washington.edu/research/urp/students/find/atuw.html). I’m in the same position, a transfer student wanting to dive in while I can, and I emailed the group doing a project I found here and have been working with them for the past month even though I don’t start until fall. You also might want to check if your department has a pre-major program. I’ll be doing a double major and my other major has one that I’ll be doing in the fall, too. Twice the research, twice the fun!</p>
<p>Asking about research “openings” isn’t inherently bad. However, try to show genuine interest in the research you’re inquiring about. For example, I took interest in a professor’s work and also had the opportunity to talk to another undergrad researcher who works in her lab. I included this all in my email to her, explaining how interested I was in her work, and if she could foresee any undergraduate research openings beginning this fall. She was more than happy to correspond with me, and I am actually meeting with her next week for a “lab tour”.</p>
<p>Just be genuine in your interest, and show you want to get involved. If a professor doesn’t respond, don’t be discouraged; there are plenty of opportunities out there.</p>