High School Student Research

Applying to College
1

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I'm currently a freshman in high school and am looking into doing research on biochemistry at my local university (Rice). On other threads, people have told me that I need to e-mail professors and ask them to mentor me. However, how can I be sure that a professor will offer me an internship, especially when he holds a position at such a prestigious university? Also,the only impressive thing about me is that I am currently in Precal and will be taking AP Calc BC as a sophomore next year. About how many professors should I e-mail? Should I start reading Schaum's Outlines in College Chemistry and Biology so I don't look like a fool? Thank you so much for any advice, especially if you've already helped me before.</p>

2

<p>cooljoe ur in a good position, and I was exactly in ur position a couple years ago (9th grade precalc, 10th grade bc calc). Have you taken a high school biology or chemistry course yet? If not, it would be a good idea to have a solid understanding of biochemistry before u begin research, because some of the literature review is gonna be quite complex. When I began research my junior year, I had already taken AP Chem and was concurrently taking AP Bio. You have to expect that MANY professors will turn down your request for an internship. I emailed about 40 profs at local research institutions and got about 6 positive replies, but I ended up at a great lab. Good luck in finding an internship!</p>

3

<p>Thanks, wrathofgod. Yes, I am currently in Biology PAP (I have maintained a 100 throughout the year), but I have only a superficial knowledge of chemistry which I gained by reading the Idiot's Guide to Chemistry. I plan to take as Chemistry PAP or AP a sophomore however. Did you just read through the Schaum's Outline of Biochem, or was there something special you did to prepare? Also, would you recommend writing the same e-mail to different professors after substituting their respective names? Thanks again for the advice (and the luck, I'll need it!)</p>

4

<p>yea i wrote 1 generic email to all the profs and just substituted their names. I didn't read any outline of biochem or watever. If there was something I didn't know or understand, i just did a google search or used Wikipedia.</p>

5

<p>When you wrote the e-mails, what information did you include, e.g. GPA, test scores? What grade were you in?</p>

6

<p>I already posted something on the RSI thread, but I'll just add something here--I think you'd be more likely to get a positive reply if you referred specifically to the professor's work than if you wrote a form letter. For example, read one of the professor's papers (if your school has access to online databases that's a convenient way of finding some) and mention it in the email. That would show that you have the initiative and interest to "do your homework" instead of firing off a generic email.</p>

<p>I'll post my own here for reference (like I said in the RSI thread, this hasn't actually been finalized, but he definitely seems open [dare I say "positive"?] to the idea):

I didn't include specifics about research interests because (1) I'd seen his presentation and knew what sort of research he was involved in, and could refer back to it, and (2) I'd already talked to him after the presentation, asking specific questions, etc. As long as you show real interest, in one way or another, I think you'll be ok.</p>

7

<p>Thank you. Should I call the professor or e-mail him? I've received many mixed replies to this question.</p>

8

<p>I'd email, but I may be prejudiced--I don't like phones very much. Email is "safer", IMHO, because you don't run the risk of interrupting something important or catching him in a bad mood. Email gives him the flexibility to think it over and get back to you. One advantage of calling is directness, but I personally wouldn't call. I'm sure other people have different opinions on this.</p>

9

<p>That does it, then, I'm probably going to e-mail the professors. Thanks again, thisyearsgirl.</p>

<p>P.S. What are you planning to research?</p>

10

<p>"Control of seizures and seizure behaviors via brain stem structure"</p>

<p>e.g. neuroscience</p>

<p>(I'm really tired and overwhelmed with work--sorry about the uninspired description stolen from the dept website)</p>

<p>how about you?</p>

11

<p>very interesting...</p>

<p>I'm planning on researching into organs such as the thymus and adrenal glands and what roles they play in the pathology of various diseases. </p>

<p>The idea popped into my head when a science book I had read stated that these two organs may hold the keys to curing cancer and various other illnesses.</p>