<p>I am a sophomore in Chemical Engineering at Arizona State University
I want to do research over summer, and have been looking at REU's and other research opportunities and want to know what I should do. I feel that I have a good resume, but I know they are competitive.</p>
<p>GPA: 4.0
White Male
First Generation College
Very involved in engineering community (peer mentor for freshman and officer of american institute for chemical engineers)
My research experience involved research on projects in an atmospheric chemistry lab and I have two projects in engineering education research. </p>
<p>I want to do a PhD at a great university, and I want to be a professor.
Any tips for summer opportunities? Do I have a good chance?</p>
<p>I see these things that may be looked at negatively by some REU programs.
current Sophomore
attend a nationally ranked university where research undergrad opportunities exist
white male
already certain you want to do graduate work </p>
<p>Things some REU’s may see as favorable
great GPA
prior research experience
demonstrated passion for your field
desire to try research in a different area</p>
<p>All of those things were also true of my son, and he was accepted last Spring to the one REU he applied to, except his GPA was only 3.23! So with great recs and personal statement, I’d say your chances are decent.</p>
<p>Read the NSF award abstracts and especially any info you can find on host university webpages about past summer participants/projects. You’ll get an idea what they look for in an applicant. </p>
<p>Don’t limit your search to “Engineering”. You may find a project listed under Chemistry or Atmospheric Sciences that interest you. Don’t limit yourself to just large, big name schools. My son had never heard of the mid-sized Midwestern university where he ended up spending the summer. But the Prof writing his recommendation knew the school well, and knew he would be a good fit.</p>