Research Opportunites For College-Bound H.S Senior

  • Context: Schools 
  • Thread starter Thread starter rakbarut
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Research Senior
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around potential research opportunities for a high school senior interested in enhancing their graduate school application in physics. Participants explore various avenues for gaining experience, skills development, and networking within academic environments.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests approaching local university professors to inquire about volunteer positions or work opportunities in their labs.
  • Another participant emphasizes the importance of developing skills, such as learning programming languages or software like MATLAB, to improve chances of securing formal undergraduate research experiences.
  • A question is raised about the difficulty of self-teaching programming languages like C++ and the relevance of different languages for applying to Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs).
  • It is noted that the usefulness of programming languages depends on the participant's future goals, with recommendations for learning C, C++, or Perl as beneficial starting points.
  • Concerns are expressed about the challenges of finding research positions without prior contacts, particularly for high school students who have not yet begun college.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the importance of skill development and networking but express differing views on the feasibility of securing research positions as a high school student without prior connections.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the assumption that local universities have available opportunities and the variability in programming language relevance based on individual academic and career goals.

Who May Find This Useful

High school students interested in pursuing physics or related fields, educators advising students on research opportunities, and individuals exploring undergraduate research experiences.

rakbarut
Messages
10
Reaction score
0
Hey everyone, I'm currently a high school senior and I was just wondering if there was anything I could do this upcoming summer to help boost my application for graduate school. I know it is way far down the road, but seeing many of you guys report on how difficult it is to get into a top 5 grad. school, I wanted to get busy early. And not only am I trying to build my application, but spending a year doing something physics related sounds so appealing. So, do any of you have suggestions on what I can do??

P.S If this makes any difference, the schools I am applying to are Uni. of Chicago, UCSB, UCLA, Berkeley, Johns Hopkins and Carnegie Mellon...

Thanks!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
If you live near any universities (or even community colleges) you can always approach professors to see if they are looking for any volunteers or have any work opportunities in their labs.

Another option is to develop some skills that will help you get a spot in a formal undergraduate research experience program such as learning a programming language or familiarizing yourself with a program like MATLAB.
 
Choppy said:
Another option is to develop some skills that will help you get a spot in a formal undergraduate research experience program such as learning a programming language or familiarizing yourself with a program like MATLAB.

How hard is it to teach oneself a programming language like C++ or how to use a program like MATLAB? Expanding on that point, what languages would best advantage me if I were going to be applying to REU's during my undergraduate studies?
 
Any other comments on my original question?
 
Which programming languages would be most useful depends a lot on what you ultimately want to do. But learning C, C++, or Perl would help you either way - at least you'd be learning how to program, and after you've done that the rest is just syntax. There are plenty of good introductory programming books out there. I'd recommend this one for Perl. https://www.amazon.com/dp/0596520107/?tag=pfamazon01-20

Without having any contacts, it will be hard to find a professor wiling to take on a student who hasn't even started college yet as a research assistant. There wouldn't be a whole lot you could do. Once you get into a school, you could always ask them if they offer anything, but the schools you mentioned have plenty of grad students and undergrads who have higher priority for getting a research spot.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Similar threads

Admissions Could anyone offer some advice on my college choice for Physics/Astro?
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
1K
Other What "research" are graduate schools looking for?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Will a D in AP Physics C First Semester Impact My College Acceptances?
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
4K
Admissions Advice to enhance my profile for grad school
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Schools Is a top physics grad school possible with a lower tier undergrad?
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
4K
Other Postpone Senior Year to get Better Grades to go to a Competitive Grad?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Other Would it be advisable to take an extra year before graduating?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
Admissions Do I have a good shot at CalTech/MIT's graduate program for physics?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
7K
Other Looking for advice about my career....
  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
3K
Which college is the best for physics research in general?
  • · Replies 38 ·
2
Replies
38
Views
7K