Can I Find a Summer Research Opportunity with a 3.4 GPA?

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A sophomore at a Pennsylvania state university with a GPA of 3.4 is seeking summer research opportunities, specifically through Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs) listed on the NSF website and compadre.com. Concerns about competitiveness and GPA are raised, questioning the likelihood of securing a position. Suggestions emphasize the importance of applying widely and gaining prior experience, as having an internship can significantly enhance chances of acceptance into REU programs. Additionally, exploring research opportunities within the university is recommended, as local departments may offer valuable projects. Overall, persistence in applying and leveraging existing university resources is encouraged.
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I'm a Sophomore at a Pennsylvania state university and my GPA is around a 3.4. I was hoping to get some kind of research opportunity over the summer. I've been looking for REU's using the NSF's list on their website and a website called compadre.com. However, these are pretty competitive, and GPA isn't that great. Am I just psyching myself out, or is it unlikely that I can get a position at one of those places? How else can I find a research opportunity over the summer?
 
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Have you done any research at your university? I did an internship at a neighboring university after my freshman year, and as a consequence got into half the REU programs I applied for the next summer. They really like it if you've already had some experience. You can apply for a bunch of REUs, but also ask around - Penn State has some great departments, you could find a really good project right there.
 

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