<p>I'm a freshman now, and I'm just wondering what I should be doing with my summer? I don't really know where to start...</p>
<p>UROP?</p>
<p>If there are profs you're interested in working with, you should email them between now and April to set up a UROP for the summer. Go through your department's faculty profiles and pick out several profs you'd like to work with. Then email all of them. A few should get back to you, and you can pick from there based on work or funding or whatever your personal preference is.</p>
<p>The only problem is that I want to be course 6, but I really don't have that much programming experience.</p>
<p>What about internships and whatnot?</p>
<p>I'm pretty sure Microsoft has a summer program designed for students with little to no programming experience. In fact, I bet plenty of places do. I don't know the details, but I'm sure if you dig around on their website and search for internships you'll come up with some information.</p>
<p>see what leads you can get from the career office. Thir website has info about interships. They may also know how you could connect with alums in various places willing to have interns. (btw - I think the Microsoft thing is primarily for underrepresented minorities).</p>
<p>more info about Microsoft college internships:
<a href="http://www.microsoft.com/college/ip_overview.mspx%5B/url%5D">http://www.microsoft.com/college/ip_overview.mspx</a></p>
<p>I don't think you need too much coding experience to participate, but it helps to know basic programming logic. (You'll get plenty of experience during the internship) Also, it's not just for underrepresented minorities--any college student can participate. The internship usually lasts for at least 12 weeks during the summer, and it's pretty intense.</p>
<p>I'd say go for it...and be prepared for those weird interview questions. :-)</p>
<p>sorry, it's Microsoft's tuition scholarships (which also involve a summer internship) which are aimed predominantly at underrepresented groups. Anyone can get one, but they are particularly looking for URMs, women, disabled. <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/college/ss_overview.mspx%5B/url%5D">http://www.microsoft.com/college/ss_overview.mspx</a></p>
<p>microsoft also has a special internship program for freshmen!</p>