<p>Whats the best time to start trying to get into research? I know about the SURF program, but is it possible to do research in september maybe before I even start? What's normal time most students start doing research?</p>
<p>A lot of people do research third term leading into a SURF. Not many do research the first two terms, and those are probably not be the best terms to start anyways. It's okay to leave yourself some time to get adjusted to life at Caltech, have fun, and make some friends. :D A good time to start hunting for a mentor (for a SURF and third term research) is at the beginning of second term of frosh year. It will be a lot easier to do year-long research in a lab after you've done a SURF there already.</p>
<p>I started research a week after classes started, my first term here. And, I was coming off the waitlist. In addition to that, I've been able to just email a professor and go talk with them regarding other research interests. I've applied for a SURF at JPL, as well.</p>
<p>On the other hand, some people haven't started, or tried to start research at all yet.</p>
<p>Essentially, once you're here, you start research as soon as you want, as long as you have the motivation to find it/get it.</p>
<p>psb is right.
there are high school students that are at caltech doing more than just washing test tubes. (:</p>
<p>I started hunting for a SURF mentor the last two weeks of first term. This timing ended up being helpful, since my mentor taught a class second term that provided a lot of background.</p>