<p>Are there other research opportunities if you decide not to do this program or don’t get accepted? I’m not sure if I want to do this as a freshmen, depending on how much work is involved.</p>
<p>After freshman year, once you are taking more classes in your major, your adviser in your academic department can help you find research opportunities associated with your major.</p>
<p>i got placed in the FRI, but not in the research FIG…</p>
<p>i signed up for a regular FIG and FRI methods course…</p>
<p>is this okay, or is this a waste since I have to take a methods course and a seminar??</p>
<p>Even if you don’t get into the FRI or a research FIG, you can still join SURGE </p>
<p>[College</a> of Natural Sciences | Science Undergraduate Research Group (SURGe)](<a href=“http://cns.utexas.edu/students/organizations/surge.asp]College”>http://cns.utexas.edu/students/organizations/surge.asp) :
“SURGe membership is free. There are no prerequisites, nor is prior laboratory experience a necessity. Students of all majors and levels are welcome to join and contribute.”</p>
<p>There are many opportunities to do undergrad research at UT. Be proactive and search out the ones that your are interested in doing.</p>
<p>did evy1 enjoy their experience in the FRI?</p>
<p>The FRI and FiG components are considered separate, although there are some FiGs that overlap. It is recommended that if you have an interest in research to do it your freshman year, so you find out soon if you like it or not and can plan accordingly. Apparently there are many people that don’t think about doing it until junior or senior years, so by then it’s a bit harder to change your momentum.</p>
<p>It’s a bit harder to find a professor to research with without FRI, but it’s doable – it just requires more motivation/effort on your part.</p>
<p>I would highly recommend going through with FRI if you have any interest in research.</p>
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<p>^ How would a motivated student go about doing that?</p>
<p>So you’re saying that neither FRI nor FiG are necessary to end up doing a good amount of good research?</p>
<p>Most instructors (both profs and TAs) will mention their past and current research as they introduce themselves on the 1st day of class. Sit in one of the front rows and be an active participant in class. Once you have established that you are a good student, go visit your instructors and ask if you can participate in their projects. There are a lot of tedious tasks (varies by type of research) that they will be thrilled to farm out. Once you’ve proven yourself, you’ll probably be offered more interesting jobs.</p>