<p>How hard is it to get involved in scientific research at Dartmouth? Other than WISP, it seems that most of the research at Dartmouth are for upperclassmen, and that there are formal application processes for these programs. Furthermore, it also seems like most of them are only for a short time (I was reading about the summer research one, which cannot extend past the summer term).</p>
<p>Research is REALLY important to me, and I was wondering how difficult it is to start doing research once during the fall or winter term of freshman year, and to continue that research over the course of your undergraduate career. Also, for the programs that do require applications (e.g., WISP), how hard is it to get into the program? Are applications just a formality or do they only accept a very small percentage of the students for research positions?</p>
<p>My daughter is a freshman and was able to start working in a lab during her first term, it is actually her work study job. There are plenty of opportunities available, but you have to put yourself forward to find them. WISP is for first year women, and they attempt to match up students with an appropriate lab experience. Once you have been at Dartmouth for a while you will begin to meet professors and find out about needs in their labs. My nephew, who graduated from Dartmouth last year, had no trouble finding interesting lab experiences with full professors. No one will knock on your dorm door with an offer, but if you knock on their doors, you should find more than enough opportunities.</p>
<p>I agree with Midwest Dad as my D also got a research position freshman year and there are a variety of opportunities available if you are willing to go out to seek them. the most basic way to obtain a research postitions is simply through work study.</p>
<p>I would recommend looking through some of the opportunities through student employment so you can get an idea as if some of the positions available are of interest to you. </p>
<p><a href="http://oracle-www.dartmouth.edu/dart/groucho/darthr.dc_jobnet_web.open_jobnet%5B/url%5D">http://oracle-www.dartmouth.edu/dart/groucho/darthr.dc_jobnet_web.open_jobnet</a></p>
<p>if link does not work click</p>
<p><a href="http://www.dartmouth.edu/%7Eseo/%5B/url%5D">http://www.dartmouth.edu/~seo/</a></p>
<p>then click jobnet</p>
<p>then click jobnet again (this time the link with in the text) that will take you to Jobnet Query</p>
<p>After you connect with professors, they are more than willing to work with students on research.</p>