<p>I got an opportunity to do a research project/intern at NYU over the summer which I'm super excited about, except I have no idea what I want to research/study, mainly because I don't really have a super extensive knowledge in science (just basic chem and bio and stuff). I mean, how can I really do anything if I have no background in the subject? Also, while perusing through threads on here, everyone seemed to know EXACTLY what they wanted to do, while I just think I'd be interested in physics (no experience with it other than a week-long summer program at a national lab), psych, or chemistry.</p>
<p>Research just seems like a very daunting thing since I don't really know much science.</p>
<p>Or maybe you’re just more perceptive than the kids on those threads. It is very difficult for a high school student with only basic knowledge to do a meaningful research project. Not impossible, if you put a lot of thought and background research into coming up with an idea but still very difficult. Most kids get projects handed to them by the mentor they are working with. </p>
<p>Thanks for your insight. I’m 90% sure I’ll be working under a mentor (and will not be choosing my own topic), but I’m also having an interview next week and have to know what department I want to go into. What if I get asked what exactly I’m interested in researching? It’s not a program specifically aimed at high school students, rather something that I got access to because of connections, so I’m a little distressed right now.</p>
<p>Well, you should do some research to learn about what opportunities there are. The program may have some information, and you can look at relevant departments and see what kinds of things the faculty are doing. If you like physics, psych and chemistry, read about those faculty and see if anything catches your interest. The interview may be to connect you with the mentor of most interest. Also think about your planned college major and career. Even if you cannot identify a person you’d like to work with, or a specific project, you should be able to talk about areas of interest. Psych is particularly broad, you have everything from people taking a very biological approach to studying rat brains, to people doing personality surveys on college students.</p>