Can I do undergrad research and summer classes at another school?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the possibility of undergraduate students engaging in research at other universities during the summer, particularly for those who are double-majoring in electrical engineering and physics. It also touches on the potential for taking summer classes at different institutions and the associated application processes and requirements.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a need for research experience for graduate school but faces challenges due to a lack of opportunities at their current small university during the summer.
  • Another participant suggests that many universities sponsor summer research programs for undergraduates, specifically mentioning the NSF's Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program.
  • Concerns are raised about the competitiveness of securing a research position at another school, as professors may prioritize their own students.
  • There is a shared acknowledgment that improving a GPA, currently at 3.1, is important for graduate school applications.
  • Participants discuss the process of finding REU programs and the need to check individual university deadlines and details for applications.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the potential benefits of REU programs for gaining research experience, but there is uncertainty regarding the competitiveness of securing such positions and the implications of the participant's GPA on their prospects.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the need for formal application processes for summer research and classes, but there are no detailed steps provided, leaving some assumptions about requirements and standards unresolved.

Who May Find This Useful

Undergraduate students in STEM fields seeking research opportunities during the summer or considering summer classes at different universities may find this discussion relevant.

jack476
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I'm planning on going to graduate school, and that means I'll need research experience. Now, double-majoring in electrical engineering and physics, my semester schedules are too rough for me to take up research, but I was thinking of doing it over the summer. However, the university I'm at is pretty small and doesn't have a great deal of student research going on to begin with, and none at all over the summer.

Is it possible to do research at another school? If so, what sort of grades or experience would I need and what's the over-all process of going about doing that, like do I need to formally apply to another school? My GPA is 3.1 and, while it's not research, I'm currently working for the physics department repairing lab equipment, what should I expect with that kind of record and experience?

If I don't get research, I may also try taking summer classes, but the summer offerings at my school are pretty slim. I've taken classes at a junior college over summer before, but now I'm past the sort of things I could take at a community college, would I be able to take summer classes at a traditional university? And again, same questions, would I need to go through the same formal application process as though I was enrolling in a full-time degree program and are the standards for admission the same as though I was transferring completely between colleges?
 
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Many universities and other institutions sponsor summer research programs for undergraduates from other schools, under the NSF's Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program.

http://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/
 
The REU program is good for this. It's also difficult to get a research position at another school - that professor will be under pressure to take one of his own students.

One other word of advice - if you want to go to graduate school, you want to get that 3.1 up.
 
Okay, that sounds like a good place to start. Any advice on how to go about that?

Vanadium 50 said:
One other word of advice - if you want to go to graduate school, you want to get that 3.1 up.

I know, I know :( I've been getting pretty much perfect grades for the last few semesters, but my second semester of electrical engineering really nailed me. That's one reason I've been thinking of taking extra classes.
 
jack476 said:
Any advice on how to go about that?

You mean how to find REU programs? Follow the "Search for an REU site" link on the page I gave. You'll eventually come to a collection of links for individual universities' REU programs. They'll tell you details and application deadlines. I tried a few at random. Some (e.g. BYU) don't have their 2015 information up yet.
 

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