<p>Newbie question, but how would you find a good lab? i.e. a good mentor? a good lab environment? knowing general field--bio v chem v physics v math v econ v etc...? </p>
<p>This is a BROAD question, but any any insight would be much, much appreciated!!!</p>
<p>Not a science person, so I can’t help with some of the specific things, but this link would seem to answer your broadest questions: [Undergraduate</a> Research at Harvard Undergraduate Research at Harvard](<a href=“http://undergrad-research.harvard.edu/icb/icb.do]Undergraduate”>http://undergrad-research.harvard.edu/icb/icb.do)</p>
<p>I’m only familiar with biology and psychology, but from what I’ve experienced and seen it’s really not difficult. Labs working on hot topics in biology (cancer, stem cells) are somewhat “competitive” in that everyone wants to work there and they have their pick, but normal labs are generally extremely happy to have some extra help. </p>
<p>All it takes is for you to go online, find some labs that look interesting and e-mail the professor saying that you’re looking for a lab position and wonder if they have space for an undergrad. You’ll very frequently get a positive response. </p>
<p>I did this over winter break with 3 labs, thinking that only one or two of them would pan out - all three of them emailed back very promptly, were happy for me to visit and meet with people, and now I have to pick between 3 amazing options! </p>
<p>There are also advisors in each field who can give you more personalized advice if the above approach seems too intimidating, or if you want to talk to someone about your interests and what might be available on campus. The part of the departmental website for undergrads usually directs you to who does this. </p>
<p>There’s also a huge base of support in the life sciences in particular. Ann Georgi is a wonderfully kind woman who is the undergraduate research advisor, and who spends much of her time making it easy to get into research. There’s an annual fair where 60+ labs come and pitch to you, hoping to get you into their lab! </p>
<p>Finally, there are some student organizations that help. HCURA (harvard college undergraduate research… something? alliance?) is helpful; if you’re on their mailing list, you’ll often get ads from them about labs who want extra help.</p>
<p>Just for biology, if you’re looking into it, it’s good to keep in mind that you’re not limited to things at the College. The biology offerings of the total Harvard establishment - MGH labs, the med school, the children’s hospital, etc - are totally astounding in scope, and often labs farther away will be much happier to have an undergraduate than those on campus because fewer people are willing to commute out there. </p>
<p>Oops, that was longer than I intended… Sorry!</p>
<p>My daughter’s experience in physics was like what Elanorci described for bio. She had no previous research experience. During winter break of her freshman year she perused the websites of the various physics profs and sent an e-mail to her top choice. She was invited to interview when she returned to campus and was working in a lab within the week. There are many levels of advising that are available/mandatory.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the insight! It also brings to me to raise another question–how flexibly can you change labs if you decide you no longer want to do bio research halfway through (e.g. probably after conc declaration), but have only taken largely bio courses so far, and want to do research in physics instead?</p>
<p>If you’ve only taken bio courses and little to no physics, it might be difficult to find a lab position. You might be able to find something, and I don’t have any experience firsthand with the physics department, but I’d assume that most labs would want you to know some basics. </p>
<p>Generally speaking, it’s not hard to change labs. PIs and grad students understand that you’re just an undergrand and need a chance to explore, and advisors facilitate it. I’ve been in 3 different labs (2 psych, 1 bio), and I’m only a second semester sophomore - it wasn’t hard at all. </p>
<p>If you think there’s a possibility that you’ll go into physics, I’d recommend taking at least some of it during your freshman year. There are at least two biology majors for which it’ll count for degree credit (MCB and HDRB are the ones I can think of), so it probably won’t be a total waste even if you don’t end up as a physics major. Plus, 15a (intro mechanics) is a pretty good course.</p>