I am currently a junior at a private boarding high school, and I’ve done well in all of the science courses that I have taken. I am interested in engineering and leaning towards aerospace or mechanical. Can anyone give me advice as to how to do research with a professor over the summer? I live in New Jersey and am hoping to spend a month or longer doing research or something of the sort with a professor at one of the colleges near me. Is it too late for me to do this? Also, should I, instead, apply to a research program? I am more interested in researching with a professor as it both allows me to focus on what I want and it would likely work better with my schedule, but I appreciate any advice. Thank you!
I don’t know if you are close to Princeton, but there is a school-year internship in plasma physics for area students. There is a list of research programs on mysummeradvisor.com . You might look at ones through SEAP . You might find a professor, but it will take time to find someone who would be willing. Many emails! Try asking your teachers if they have any contacts at colleges nearby. Some labs require everyone to be 18+ for liability reasons.
There are countless programs. You might want to google and find a list. They all have slight differences and some have appeal more to your taste than others. One can indeed contact individual profs in Departments and try your luck.