<p>I just contacted two profs to ask about undergrad research opportunities.
One prof already replied, saying his lab for the summer semester is full. He told me to ask again in the fall semester.
Usually, how quickly do labs become full every semester?
I think the other prof I'm yet to receive a reply from will give a similar response, if he replied.
When is the best time of the semester to ask for independent undergrad research position?</p>
<p>Don't be surprised if professors don't answer you at all. The ones who make it a habit of letting undergrads in their lab will respond, the rest won't. For the Fall, ask early to mid August. Make sure to emphatically describe why you think you can help them.</p>
<p>Thanks for your post. I didn't get a reply from the other prof, so I emailed two more profs. But I'm not actually expecting to get a position this summer, because it's quite late into the semester. I'll have a much higher chance of receiving a position for the Fall.</p>
<p>You told me to describe how I can help them, but I don't have any research experience yet. How am I going to do that? Previously, I just told them I'm interested in an aspect of their research and I want to try out research to see if it's a good fit for me since I'm considering a career in research. Will they let someone like me do a paid-work or volunteering in their lab?</p>
<p>Tell them you're interested in their research. You can even read some of their publications to see what they're up to (and possibly discuss it with them if it's not over your head). If you want to do research, you should be committed, and you should illustrate this fact to them.</p>
<p>I found a prof willing to let me work in his lab starting September, but what can I expect to accomplish in the lab? I have absolutely no previous experience.</p>
<p>You'll be doing the monkey work.</p>
<p>Should I prepare for anything? How can I get the most out of this experience?</p>
<p>I would find out what project(s) your PI is working on in the lab (does he have a lab webpage?) and do some background reading. You could also search for some of your PIs publications on pubmed to see what work he has done in the past that has maybe lead up to the work he is currently investigating in the lab. Having somewhat of a grasp of the work your PI is doing will make your start in the lab that much easier...</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestion, CellBioGuy.</p>
<p>No prob (10 chars)</p>
<p>Are there any more things to be aware of to be successful in the lab? My first lab volunteering will begin on September, and I want to start out great. What can you do to impress your lab sponsor or supervisor and make him/her say in LOR after 2~3 years things like you were the best student s/he ever witnessed? I'm willing to work really hard but I feel this alone wouldn't be enough. What things set apart great lab assistants/volunteers from not-so-great ones?</p>
<p>Well, you have to realize that it's going to take a while to learn techniques, and you should listen carefully when you're being taught so that you can do experiments on your own without having to have a more senior lab member watching you all the time. You should also be willing to read the scientific literature on your project, even if you don't understand it at first. You should be willing to ask questions about anything you don't understand.</p>
<p>Importantly, you should be consistent -- if you say you're going to be in at a certain time, be there. Develop a reputation for being consistent, hard-working, and careful.</p>