<p>How many apprentices does the professors conducting the research usually choose?</p>
<p>i was wondering the same thing.. and is thing ultra-competitive? if so, i don't think i have much of a chance ;)</p>
<p>is this thing*...</p>
<p>I was selected as a URAP apprentice last semester... there are two of us in the lab from last semester and according to the professor, she received ~75 applications for the two spots she's trying to fill.. so a total of 4 URAP apprentices total.</p>
<p>hey stly, what program were you in? If you dont mind me asking =)
Thanks</p>
<p>It seems to vary a great deal with different departments. Some professors are very over subscribed while others really need URAP people to complete projects. You might not get your top choice lab but it's likely that you'll get something.</p>
<p>Also, URAP isn't the only way to get research. Most professors don't use URAP and instead just talk to people directly and hire them (sometimes for actual money). It's worth shooting emails to professors to see if they have any advice for how to get a position in their lab or one similar. I've found them to be quite helpful. If for some reason they don't reply I recommend going to their office hours and asking.</p>
<p>How formal are the interviews? Any dress code?</p>
<p>uh.. that would be a little awkward if we had to dress up formally for a research position.. that you're not even getting paid for.. but i guess it makes sense since so many people want it.</p>
<p>and. have any of the teachers selected ppl yet? none of the virtual doors have anything up for mine..</p>
<p>A professor emailed me personally asking that I come in for an interview tomorrow, no names are posted to her virtual door, though.</p>
<p>Does anyone know what would be appropriate for an interview in Boalt? It's just a meeting in her office -- would business casual be too much?</p>
<p>I just had my interview with a professor today. I dressed formally, and it went very well. I think it's always better to err on the formal side if you are not sure.</p>
<p>Just don’t dress like a slob, and you’ll be fine. </p>
<p>I’ve applied to three URAP gigs, and been selected for two. Don’t get too hopeful, because I do have a bit of a good transcript, etc. But I can give some tips:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>As long as you don’t have food on your clothes, you’re good. Boys: don’t wear a tie, it makes you look a bit desperate since there is no pay. Girls: Don’t dress too slutty. Even though it’s not really justified, it just makes us look a bit dumb.</p></li>
<li><p>Google your prof for 10-15 minutes before the interview. Know what books they’ve written, their current projects, etc.</p></li>
<li><p>Don’t act like a thirteen year old girl in front of Justin Beiber, or whoever. It just tells the profs that you’l be a hassle to work with. Act down to earth, look 'em in the eyes, and lean forward. </p></li>
<li><p>If they like you, they’ll often ask for a writing sample. Have one on hand that you can e-mail them later.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>URAP for science positions isn’t that useful, to be honest. So many people apply and the actual qualifications for a science researchership are pretty minimal (can you pipette steadily? can you be trusted not to **** up everyone’s stuff?). If you actually want an interesting lab, just go look up labs and email professors / go talk to them. Also check out what your chem/bio/physics GSIs are researching and approach them if you like it – GSIs actually have a huge amount of say in getting people into a lab.</p>
<p>^ can you explain please? i never understood how to get a ra position w/o going thru REU or URAP programs, have you guys ever taken math 191 or 198 with grunbaum?</p>
<p>Email professors and talk to your GSIs. I never really liked the idea of URAP either…you just have to be willing and persistant.</p>
<p>Tried URAP every semester now. As a science major, the competition is really tough. And a few prof ****ed me off by making their choices before the application was even due. So wasted days researching and reading publications for nothing.</p>
<p>Humanities, much much less competitive.</p>