<p>I have heard that occasionally prefrosh get SURFs, even though that is not technically allowed. How does this happen? I am a recent Caltech admit, though I am not positive that I will attend, but I am REALLY interested in doing fluid dynamics or math research this summer (I have a plan for a fluid dynamics project) and would really like to try pursuing a SURF if this is possible.</p>
<p>I have taken undergraduate classes before, so I COULD send a transcript from harvard extension school, plus possibly have letters of rec from a harvard prof, a Caltech prof and then would need one more, but could anybody who applied for SURF as a prefrosh or knows somebody who has comment more specifically on how this is done? Or am I mistaken in thinking it is ever done?</p>
<p>they are either
1) axlines, in which case they just fill out forms and the staff do all the matching for them
or
2) really self-motivated and go through the trouble of emailing professors and telling them what they can do and asking them if they can work for them. and then they probably apply for surf like any other student would (surf isn't exclusive to caltech students; plenty of people from other schools can get surfs at caltech too). go to Summer</a> Undergraduate Research Fellowships .. S U R F .. <caltech> .. for more info.</caltech></p>
<p>One of my friends did a SURF before her freshman year, and I think she falls into category 2. If she consents, I can put you two in touch if you want. PM me with your response.</p>
<p>I've been doing fluid mechanics projects since my prefrosh summer. I'm a junior now, so I'm pretty familiar with the aeronautics faculty and many of the labs here. If you would like help being hooked up, just let me know.</p>