How do I maximize my opportunity to get into a SURF in the summer after freshman year?

Student Lounge College Life
1

I plan to major in neuroscience with applied math minor/major. I am enrolled at Colgate University which I hope is a sufficiently well-known LAC.

I want to do a summer research program at a university. I have made a sizable list of options to pursue.

I know I should consult my adviser for most of the information for my courses but right now I have these courses:

  1. Japan: basically a GED course I was interested in)

  2. Elementary Japanese: I am interested in learning japanese(and learning a foreign language is important for PBK) but I am willing to drop it for math or any other course that will aid me in my goals.

  3. Evolution, Ecology, Diversity: A biology course that doesn’t count for my major but I am interested in it( would also look good in my transcript)

  4. Epic Voices and It’s Echoes: I would hope I don’t need to drop this course on the classics because it sounds extremely interesting but oh well I am willing to drop it for intro to psych.

I have intro chem, physics, and math AP credit which is why I didn’t take those courses. I am thinking I should do intro to psych too.

I plan to take Calc II, chem, molecular bio, or the intro neuro course(two of these) along with one of a GED and a social science course(most likely economics) next semester. Does that sound good enough?

I am not scared about courses getting “hard” but my college doesn’t allow you to take more than 4 cases unless you get special permission and my freshman year shouldn’t be that stressful either so I can get accommodated smoothly.