Research in High School?

<p>I heard JHU loves to see an applicant with research experience. Can anyone give me some examples of research I could do? I live in PA. I love science so I think I would like to carry out research. Also, is this free? Do you know of anything in PA (or close by) I could do? Is the application process for research competitive?</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

<p>My friend who goes to JHU, did research after school with our chemistry teacher researching some sort of medical compound. I mean, you could ask your teachers or some colleges do offer high school research opportunities at the college, so you could look around.
Just so you know, I didn’t participate in any research because I didn’t get a chance to, not that I didn’t want to, and I’m going to JHU next year! So don’t worry if you can’t find anything around home, but good luck!</p>

<p>Try to find a lab in PA or you can rent an apartment for a summer down in either baltimore or bethesda and apply for the Summer Internship Program at either Johns Hopkins or NIH, respectively</p>

<p>You could try looking at any research universities/facilities near you in PA. Usually it’s a matter of identifying a lab or project that sounds interesting, then contacting the lab head/professor to find out more. If they say they don’t have room/time, or are otherwise unwilling to take on a student, ask them if they could suggest other people to contact. It can be competitive if you want to get paid (like the Summer Internships), less so if you’re willing to volunteer for the experience. if you’re younger (rising junior) and able to work part-time during the school year, that could work in your favor, and you might eventually get paid.</p>

<p>I think others have summed it up pretty well but your options are basically to go through a summer research program, or contact a professor directly. I believe there’s a summer programs board here on CC that has extensive information about summer research programs around the country. Many of these include housing and/or stipends for the summer, and they vary from somewhat competitive to ridiculously competitive (ie RSI).</p>

<p>In terms of trying to find your own position, I would look at local universities and reserach institutes and try to find some professors whose research looks interesting. Granted, you’re not going to be expected to understand everything that they’re doing, but at least try to get a basic understanding of what kind of work they do by reading their website, both so that you can sound intelligent and also so that they can see that you’ve done your legwork. Contact professors and explain that you’re a high school student interested in science, and you’re interested in volunteering to learn more about and to gain research experience. Explain your background (ie “I’ve taken Advanced Placement (introductory college level) Biology and Calculus”), when you’re interested in working, and then wait and hope for a reply. Don’t be at all surprised if you only get replies from half (or less) of the people you email. Of the ones you reply, some might have full labs or might not be able/willing to have a high school student, but don’t give up and you’ll find a lab that works for you.</p>

<p>Unless you end up working in a very new lab, you’ll probably be assigned to a graduate student or a post-doctoral fellow (finished their PhD already) who you will work with/shadow/learn from/help out/etc while you’re working in the lab</p>

<p>I know that I’m trying to bump a 2 year old thread, but if anyone is still looking at this, is it possible to get a research internship with a nephrology professor, though I am only a freshman? This year I will only take Chemistry and next year I will take AP Bio. </p>

<p>If not, can anyone suggest any research opportunities in the Chicagoland area?
Thanks…</p>