<p>Currently, I'm a freshman in Canada, and I'm considering participating in the REU program over this summer. I'm interested in Chemistry and MBB (Molecular Biology and Biochemistry). My university isn't involved in REUs.</p>
<p>Is this only for the US students, or are Canadian students also eligible?
How selective are they and what do they expect?
Is prior research experience required?
Are any prerequisite courses required?
It would be my first experience in actual research.</p>
<p>If I can't do the REU this summer, then what else can I do that is equally or more beneficial compared to REU, open to non-US students?</p>
<p>My university is on a three-semester system, but I don't want to enrol in summer semester but solely focus on research over this summer, because I want to start research as soon as possible as an undergrad.</p>
<p>Almost all the REUs I've looked at require participants to be US citizens, although the ones I looked at aren't in biology or chemistry. I did see a math REU at Williams College that took international students but couldn't give them stipends. So you're not necessarily SOL, but it'll be tough I think to find an REU that takes non US citizens.</p>
<p>REUs can be very competitive. If you're not picky about where you go for the summer you'll have a better chance at getting into one in a more rural lesser known university than at a premier institution (MIT, Stanford, etc..). </p>
<p>I think most of the NSF and NIH funded programs are only open to US citizens but there may be some that are funded by other organizations (non-US gov't programs) there might even be some funded by the Canadian gov't (I've never seen any but I've also never looked for one) </p>
<p>While a competitive type program (Like NIH, NSF or other REUs that make you apply and send in credentials) are among the best research opportunities you'll have as an undergrad, you should form relationships with your professors and ask to help with any research projects they're involved with. Most professors have to do some type of research as part of their job and many are willing to take on an undergrad (especially if you can work for free). Having previous research experience will definitely help your chances when applying to formal REU type programs (I was told explicitly that it was because of my previous research experience that I received my NIH-REU fellowship)</p>
<p>Just to give you some background, I'm currently a junior who has heard many profs discuss NSERC with their students. From what they've told me, getting one of these pretty much GUARANTEES you admission to any grad school in Canada. Given this, I'm pretty sure it will be looked on quite favorably by American grad schools.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, I can't really make a comparison to REU, as I haven't spoken with any American profs on how much it helps your grad application. But given the significant edge it yields for Canadian grad admissions, I think it's you should seriously consider it.</p>
<p>ThinMan: Thanks for your post. I hope I'll be able to start NSERC research before 2008. But does it require any specific GPA and/or experiences?</p>
<p>I'm also considering doing co-op as well as random research with profs, but I don't think I'll have time to do all these. I think it would be better for me to choose only one or two of NSERC, Co-op, and random research with profs. Which one is most beneficial and influential on grad school admission process and acceptance?
Thanks.</p>
<p>I'm probably not well informed enough to answer any of the questions in your second paragraph (hopefully Professor X will show up; he's very helpful with this sort of thing), but I can help you with questions concerning to NSERC.</p>
<p>As far as I know, NSERC requires an average above 80% (translate this to whatever grade point system your school uses), and requires that the applicant have completed at least their second full year of undergraduate study (at my school, the minimum is 2.5 years, so it can vary). From what I've heard, most interested students apply in the fall of their third year so that they can do research in the summer between third and fourth year.</p>
<p>What about for an American student? What are the options for summer research besides REU and talking with a professor at my university? I was specifically hoping for Aerospace research.</p>
<p>
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NSERC...requires that the applicant have completed at least their second full year of undergraduate study...
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</p>
<p>I'm only a freshman right now; on September 2007, I'll become a sophomore. Does that mean I won't be able to partake in it until after my second year (September, 2008)? I'm aware that starting research as soon as possible, especially during first or second year, is crucial. If I can't do NSERC research in first or second year, then what can I do as research? Possibly co-op or random research with profs? But are those as influential on grad school process and admission?</p>
<p>
[quote]
Does that mean I won't be able to partake in it until after my second year (September, 2008)?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Yeah, you won't be able to do an NSERC until summer '08 at the very earliest, probably summer '09.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I'm aware that starting research as soon as possible, especially during first or second year, is crucial.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Err, crucial in what way? If you really want to get into an Ivy for grad school, then yeah, starting research ASAP is probably a good idea. If not, then you really don't need that much research experience to be admitted. Some people work for few years after undergrad and get admitted to good grad schools without any research experience. Not to shoot you down, but I think you're taking this early undergrad research stuff a bit too seriously.</p>
<p>dcb1001:</p>
<p>Sorry, I don't know enough about American research programs to help you with your question.</p>
<p>Professor X:</p>
<p><em>Thinman backs away slowly and awkwardly, then bolts</em></p>
<p>
[quote]
If you really want to get into an Ivy for grad school, then yeah, starting research ASAP is probably a good idea. If not, then you really don't need that much research experience to be admitted.
[/quote]
I'm hoping to get into an Ivy grad school; that's why I'm taking this early research thing seriously. Is there anything that can get me started on research ASAP and that's as beneficial as the American REU for grad school process and admission? If not, then I think undergrads in Canada are disadvantaged compared to those in the US. :( Lack of early research opportunities in Canada is disappointing.</p>
<p>First, don't think too much about getting into an Ivy unless it's highly rated for your subject AND there's research going on there that you want to do. Graduate school is not like undergrad, the name doesn't count as much as the person you work for. If a non-Ivy (MIT, Stanford, Berkeley) has a better specialty ranking and has a prof that you want to work for, it's much better than a low ranked Ivy at which you'll do research that you hate. (don't worry about this too much now, just know that for grad school is different)</p>
<p>If you really want to impress grad school admissions, you should get something published in a good peer-reviewed journal. (if you don't know what one is in your field you should ask your professor) When you approach a professor about doing research tell them outright that you'd like to work on a project that has a high probability of becoming a publication. They will be impressed with your drive, but be warned, you must be willing to work like a dog on the project, and put in a lot of hours. Research takes a long time and profs like to se a sustained effort.</p>
<p>evoke1080: Thanks for your post. The reason I want to get into an Ivy grad school isn't because of the name, but because of the high specialty ranking (within top 5).</p>
<p>Is doing research under prof's guidance as beneficial on grad admission process and acceptance as structure research programs like REU and NSERC are?</p>
<p>Also, when you ask profs about doing research, do they need you to have certain experiences or credits or both? Currently, I have absolutely no research experience, and I don't think I finished most or all of the lower division courses, either.
Do you think it's possible for me to start doing research with profs now or near future (before 2007)? Anyway, it's too bad that Canadian undergrads can't participate in a structure research program until second full year of undergrad study.</p>
<p>You have to start somewhere. You might not be doing the most exciting work your first year but at least you'll have lab experience. Competitive programs are great but you'll have a better chance of admission if you have some research when you apply. IF a prof wants you to have more credits or to have taken biochemistry or something they'll tell you. But you must go to them and ask. Find out if they have open office hours and drop in, a face to face meeting is always better than email, but do NOT go to their office randomly, make sure its during office hours or set up a meeting via phone. You could also talk to grad students in their lab, grad students are busy but they also sometimes appreciate someone to talk to.</p>
<p>evoke1080: Thanks for your post. So should I do research with profs until I'm eligible to participate in structure research program like NSERC which requires that I completed at least my full second year of undergrad study?</p>
<p>When I finally start NSERC, should I continue doing research with profs, or should I discontinue that and solely do NSERC starting my third year until graduation? I'm aware that it's good to do as much structure research program like NSERC as you can while in undergrad, but is it the same for doing research with profs? For Ivy grad school admission process and acceptance, is doing research with profs equally as beneficial as structure research program?</p>