<p>Are there any current/past Harvard students on this page who were involved in science research before Harvard? Did you do any competitions (Intel, Siemens, etc)? I'm wondering how (if at all) your previous experience helped you when you got to Harvard.</p>
<p>Also, how are the undergraduate research opportunities at Harvard? Are professors willing to work with undergrads directly in their labs? How do you find research opportunities?</p>
<p>Any help/guidance would be appreciated :) I'm applying to Harvard RD and would love any opinions on this topic.</p>
<p>In the sciences, undergraduate research is strongly encouraged in many disciplines. In fact, most research grants, especially NSF grants, for which professors apply to support their work strongly encourage professors to make opportunities for undergrads.</p>
<p>That said, some fields are more accessible. Astronomy & astrophysics, earth & planetary sciences are super aggressive and supportive about getting students involved as soon as possible. I have heard the same about biology/biochemistry. Physics (at least 20 years ago when I was there) was a bit harder to get into… I have heard from friends that this has changed over the years and physics is more undergraduate friendly than in the past. </p>
<p>Generally, first years are not too involved with research… for most students, adjusting to Harvard academics and social life is all-consuming the first year. Spring is the time to start knocking on doors to see which professors have summer opportunities. It is important to do some basic research on what a particular professor is working on, and then go visit during office hours… emails generally get lost in the mix. You may feel more comfortable asking a graduate student or postdoc to give you a tour of a lab first before visiting the professor to ask for job opportunities. If you work with a professor over the summer, they are much, much more inclined to hire you during the academic year.</p>
<p>As with everything, you have to be motivated and prepared. Blind emails to random professors are unlikely to be successful. Almost all science professors have detailed web sites, often listing undergrads, grad students, and postdocs who work in their labs.</p>
<p>For perspective… I started doing research in astrophysics in the summer after my sophomore year. Once I was "in’, I ended up doing my junior research project with the same professor, working with same professor the summer after junior year. I switched to a different professor for my senior thesis (strongly encouraged to do that), and even worked with that same professor off-and-on for 2 years after graduation while I explored other things, and before i applied to graduate school.</p>
<p>Having letters of recommendation from multiple professors who have seen you in a research context is a huge plus when applying to grad school.</p>