<p>To get into grad school for chemical engineering, how much research experience is generally desired from schools?</p>
<p>I asked this question to the prof I do research for, and he responded with “as much as possible”.</p>
<p>I’ve heard the whole range of answers. I will have done 3 summers of research by the time I graduate. Some people have told me this is “plenty”. The postdocs in my lab tell me it’s not a lot. Of course, I asked these postdocs how much research they think you should do in undergrad, and they said 6 semesters and one summer research internship is pretty good. My responses to when they say things like this were usually not very polite.</p>
<p>You’re probably better off getting an answer from someone else.</p>
<p>The Tart Answer:
If getting into grad school is your only goal in life, you should do research 24/7.</p>
<p>If getting into grad school is one of many goals in life, you should balance your time spent researching with time spent pursuing other goals.</p>
<p>The True Answer:
There is no magic number; it depends.</p>
<p>The Helpful Answer:
The more the better, but I think the biggest increase in utility is from none to some. Grad schools are looking for students who will research successfully, and any (good) research is evidence of that. But even if you don’t have research experience, don’t worry too much; you can get into graduate schools.</p>
<p>what about non-thesis program?</p>
<p>6 semesters + a Summer isn’t so unrealistic. All you need is to find something steady by the start of sophomore year (the enterprising student can stumble upon something by Spring of the freshman year).</p>
<p>What Slorg said is pretty accurate. There is no magical number but in general if you plan on going to grad school you want a good amount of research under your belt. Also don’t forget that you’ll be asking your PI for a letter of rec and what he writes in that is HUGELY important. My advice is to do research in more than one lab (say by doing an REU or something). That way you can show more breadth and be able to get a letter of recomendation from another prof (remember you need 3 letters).</p>
<p>Hope that helps!</p>
<p>If you transfer to a different college in the middle of working in a lab, say, after fall semester, would the P.I still be willing to write a good letter of recommendation? Or is it even rude to ask for it?</p>
<p>I agree with your prof–as much research as possible. </p>
<p>The more publications (hell if you get one at the UG level you are golden) and research experience you have, the better chances you’ll have getting into grad school.</p>