Hi everyone, I’m a first year intending to major in biochem/chem (we aren’t allowed to declare majors yet). I’m preparing for the mad scramble of applying to summer programs/research positions when the spring semester rolls around. I did pretty well my first semester (3.867 GPA out of 4.0 with 2 A-s and 3 A’s) and I’m rewriting my resume at the moment to accommodate (the little) college stuff I have. I know some research techniques because I worked on a project all semester long, and I would really like to get into some matsci/cancer research over the summer. But my school wouldn’t let me take upper division courses, so I have none of those (and the knowledge that comes with it) to show off. How do I capitalize on what I have (basically interest and some research techniques) and convince a professor whose research I really like that I’m devoted to their cause?
At my kid’s college, a students who works in their lab during the school year has a better shot at a summer position. Or you can apply for REUs – but the deadlines are approaching fast, and you need recommendations.