<p>Can undergrads only conduct research in labs that have UROP Project openings? Are students ever successful in contacting specific professors directly about their work or are the only options that projects available through the UROP program?</p>
<p>Yes. Frankly, I’ve never heard of a professor at MIT not taking any undergrads. </p>
<p>I concur. The vast majority of my research came from talking directly to professors and PhD students. Usually they approached me, after I had performed well in one of their classes, rather than it being the other way around.</p>
<p>The listings on the UROP site are just from professors who want to advertise their openings, but I agree with everyone else – in practice, you can just approach or email anybody.</p>