<p>Many of those who get accepted into good science/math schools such as UCLA, Duke, or Johns Hopkins have some sort of research done (usually over a summer).</p>
<p>How exactly does one go about getting started with official research? Where do you go to get a research program set up? Do you just walk up to a local college and tell them you are interested in research for the summer?</p>
<p>Those of you who have done research over a summer: will you please explain how exactly you get started?</p>
<p>For UCLA students particularly or ambitious high school students in the periphery? Depends... there are a million research programs at school in various departments... there's also URC CARE and LS 10H as a few examples that are structured research programs... like SRP. Of course everyone and their Mom knows about them so competition can be fierce...</p>
<p>Here's an message I sent to some people earlier. Right now, I work in the UCLA Medical Center's cardiac operating rooms, helping to set up and monitor some equipment used during cardiac bypass operations. </p>
<p>I had work-study as a Senior Clerk (read: whatever office stuff they want me to do) with my department. I just asked the head of the department if he had some time to talk about any research opportunities in the department, and we sat down for a short chat. He gave me names of some research professors within the department, and that's how I found out about my professor.</p>
<p>Basically? Talk with the department you're interested in working with, and inquire about any research professors/doctors that are in the department. You may have to talk with the head of the residency program for the department, head of the department itself, etc. Otherwise, looking up their info via the UCLA directory would also help, provided that you know what their research is about. Google the info, if you can.</p>
<p>Just send them a e-mail. Usually, the process isn't as hard as it seems. Remember that if you're sending an e-mail to the research professor himself/herself, attach a CV/resume to make your intentions more professional. Because they're not listed in a program (SRP, etc.), getting into research like this shouldn't be competitive.</p>