<p>Hello! I will most likely end up going to UT-Austin this upcoming Fall as a Junior (I transferred from ACC), and I was curious about undergraduate research at UT. I got my acceptance letter earlier this week into the Cockrell School of Engineering for Chemical Engineering. I was looking through the website, and I know that UT offers undergraduate research, but I can't seem to find any way to apply. Do you have to be referred or recommended? I was just curious if anyone had any inside information? I would be very interested in applying. Much appreciated :)!</p>
<p>In a lot of ways, the research side of UT is separate from the teaching side of it. Labs kind of operate as independent practices. While the professors are paid by the school, their research is for the most part funded by external organizations. Because of this disconnect and other reasons, there isn’t too much integration between these two aspects of the university. Other than the FRI program, which applies only to the College of Natural Sciences, I am not aware of a program that provides a predefined path for entrance into research. Typically, then, you don’t apply through some general application but directly to the lab itself. Common ways of doing this include asking your professor for a position in their lab (or one of their colleague’s); asking your TA if they’d be willing to take you on (it’s as simple as them saying yes or no, there isn’t any special authorization process); or simply doing cold-calls in person or email after looking through the lab’s website.</p>
<p>Generally, though, they are wary of taking on students whom are still taking introductory courses as the training process can be more trouble than it’s worth. But while that is generally true, if they can see that you’re genuinely interested in the research (many are in it for the resume) then they’d gladly welcome you in. The most important way to convey this excitement is to read up on the lab’s subject area, especially papers published by the researcher (i.e. grad student, post-doc or PI) you are applying to, before you apply.</p>
<p>Best of luck and welcome to UT!</p>
<p>That was very informative! Thank you so much :)! You seem to know quite a lot about the subject. Are you involved in undergraduate research? And does anyone else have anything they might wish to share about their undergraduate research experiences? I just feel like helping in a research project would be very fun (if it were the right one). I want to do something besides just the usual school and coursework. I want to dip my toes into the opportunities ahead of me. I would just love to have the opportunity to talk to someone like this and perhaps (if I’m lucky) work under them and possibly with them one day. I’m very curious and I want more than just a seminar.</p>
<p>Try: [Find</a> a Researcher | The University of Texas at Austin](<a href=“http://www.utexas.edu/research/find-researcher]Find”>http://www.utexas.edu/research/find-researcher)</p>
<p>Found it via google and “UT Austin research”</p>
<p>EUREKA! is a searchable database designed to support undergraduate participation in research and creative activity across the campus. EUREKA includes profiles for The University of Texas at Austin faculty members with information about their research interests as well as a listing of posted openings for undergraduates on research projects.</p>
<p>STUDENTS: Using EUREKA, you can identify faculty who are doing research that matches your interests, search for research opportunities, and connect with Office of Undergraduate Research advisors to learn more about getting involved.</p>
<p>Cheers,
Psy</p>
<p>Thank you! This website looks very helpful!</p>
<p>No problem, let us know what you end up doing.</p>