Re:research - meaning schools that have formalized undergrad research programs. Actually we have found plenty of schools where these exist. Sometimes you might be surprised- both my niece (biology/pre-med) and nephew (journalism) have found research opportunities within the first year or two of undergrad at WVU even without formalized programs. But, they are the top of the heap there which helps.
Usually formalized programs are via competitive entry but since S20 is targeting schools for merit and where he would at the top of the admitted class, we figure he would at least have a decent shot for those programs. Just trying to find that sweet spot of a school that checks lots of boxes. Honestly, CSU may just end up being that school but he seems to want to at least have more options OOS at this point.
ETA - of course not every undergrad is doing research. The vast majority of students I know in that age range have zero interest. I think CC is skewed towards students that would be interested in research but I really donāt think that is the norm at these big state schools.
ok; i feel so naive with the research thing. I have a kid graduating from college this weekend - heās never done any research nor has ever mentioned it to me. He has a great job offer; several act./sci tests under his belt.
my other kiddo in school is a soph. arch major. she works so hard, puts in so many hours in the studio; and iāve never heard a peep about research from her.
So = can you explain research? what is it? is it a job? are you asked to do it? do kids make up their own topics? is it a competitive position? which majors have it? It sure is a buzz word here; but I donāt know what it all means. thanks.
Ah! We are so excited today- D20 was accepted into a small audition only summer intensive. We thought she had no chance at all. She was also offered a modeling spot for a dancewear company during the intensive. We canāt afford for her to go- like I said, never thought sheād get in- but she was just so boosted by the acceptance!
Congratulations @milgymfam on the summer intensive acceptance. I agree that itās such a confidence booster. Do they have any scholarships? Even if they werenāt advertised it may be worthwhile to ask.
M D17 is at St. Andrews in medicinal chemistry. She is in lab (for classes) 4 days a week all afternoon, plus lectures, tutorials and write-ups for all those labs. I have no idea when she would do research. But it is not a thing there for undergrads to do it. And with all the labs she does I suspect her lab techniques and instrument experience exceeds most chemistry students doing a few hours a week of undergrad research a year in the US.
@SoccaMomma they donāt advertise as having any, but I may ask. Itās actually cheaper than the intensive sheād planned on attending, on a per week basis, but is longer. She is definitely intrigued with the idea of being in a dance catalog and on their website, and I canāt blame her. Iāll email them- canāt hurt, right?
@bgbg4us I agree that research has been brought up at most if not all information sessions. I do wonder what students are doing and how to compare across universities. Research varies so much and it really depends on the studentās interests. This is very important, for instance, to DS so weāll be asking a lot of very specific questions closer to selection time. Not sure of other studentsā motivation for research, but DSās career choice is Scientific Research. Can someone share the experiences of current/former students in this area?
@milgymfam Congratulations on your daughterās acceptance to the summer intensive.
@bgbg4us I can say from experience that research is absolutely not necessary for actuarial science. Itās all about the exams. Even work experience is secondary to the exams.
Re: Research. My D17 that was interested in doing research in college made that a priority in her search. As I mentioned, she goes to a B1G school, started research (sheās a neuroscience/genetics major) on day 1, and was nominated for a Goldwater Scholarship for her research in her sophomore year. Clearly, research is not important in every field/major. She is doing a double-major with a minor, and finds time to be in the lab (~10 hours/wk), and has worked in a lab over her first summer, and will be doing so this summer as well.
For S20, research is extremely important because he is trying to determine his career path. He is very interested in various science majors but definitely not premed. Research is just one more way to expose him to different options.
For S19, research would be fun but he will intern or co-op as an engineering major and that is of the most importance.
As for younger undergrad kids not having enough background knowledge - I was not even 1/2 thru my science-related degree program with no true hard lab experience and happened into a job a slide reader/general lab help in a cytogenetic toxicology lab where I was able to work throughout the rest of college (and totally unrelated to major.) They just trained me for what they needed. It was actually pretty cool but also made me realize that pure research or lab work was not for me and I wanted to be in a setting with direct patient care.
Basically - undergrad research is important to MY sonās search - was not implying it was important or necessary for everyone elseās student.
@bigmacbeth D20 also took SAT at her high school. We are still waiting for results. Do you know how the results will be released? It does not show up on her college board that she even took the test because the high school registered her. So Iām not exactly sure how we will get the score.
Maybe Trinity in TX or Truman State in MO? Both offer merit and both should be able to get below that $ amt, especially Truman State. SD Mines is low cost.
@SoccaMomma I think what colleges are trying to put forward is that research ācanā be done by UGs, but it still takes a good bit of initiative by those kids. My D17 had never stepped foot in a research lab before going away to college, and she has found that she loves it. My daughter plans to go for her PhD in a neuroscience or related field. It comes fast, and she will be taking her GRE next fall already. Yikes! She has joined a new lab for next fall in an area that is closer to her interests, and is very excited. Good luck to your S. If you have any questions about my Dās program, feel free to PM/DM me.
@cakeisgreat - itās surprising that scool-day SAT is not showing up in CB account. Our DS20 also took schoolday SAT in March - the school did the registration but it appeared in DS20ās CB account. Results appeared on the CB account on the day it was supposed to comeout (as per CBās calendar - it came a bit late in the day but it came out on the day it was supposed to come out.
@cakeisgreat Missed you post. Yes, what @hs2020dad said. Did she use the same email address when she signed up at school? At our HS, the school does not really āsignā them up, I donāt think. The kids have to fill out the score sheet themselves, so they enter an email at that time. Does this match with what her normal CB account has?
@chb088 - dont know about the snail mail - but DS took school day sat on March 27 and his online CB account has the results on April 22nd as told by CB (search the school day sat results schedule). For the students who took school day SAT on April 9 - results are coming on May 6 as per same CB site - that is the day they appear results online (essay may delay a bit).
If the school registered the student with the same email address as used by the individual CB account - it gets linked automatically - nothing to be done.
Actually, April 9 test date multiple choice scores come out May 2. The reason I know this is that the deadline to sign up for the June 1 test is May 3.
