What Are the Best Summer Research Opportunities for a Physics Student?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around identifying summer research opportunities for a physics student, with a focus on various fields such as particle physics, geophysics, quantum physics, astronomy, and accelerator physics. Participants share recommendations and resources for finding suitable programs, including both REUs and other research opportunities.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses interest in summer research opportunities across multiple physics disciplines and shares their academic background, including GPA and research experience.
  • Another participant suggests a specific search engine for finding research programs, noting that they tend to be competitive but encourages applying broadly.
  • A third participant mentions the Caltech SURF program as a potential opportunity.
  • There are inquiries about the acceptance rate of non-Caltech students into the SURF program, with one participant sharing their experience that most in their group were non-Caltech students.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the value of sharing resources and experiences related to summer research opportunities. However, specific details about the acceptance rates for non-Caltech students in the SURF program remain unclear and are subject to further inquiry.

Contextual Notes

There is uncertainty regarding the competitiveness of various programs and the specific number of non-Caltech students accepted into the SURF program, which may depend on multiple factors not fully explored in the discussion.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for physics students seeking summer research opportunities, particularly those interested in diverse fields within physics and looking for guidance on application strategies.

lasymphonie
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I'm currently looking at research opportunities for next summer. I was wondering if people here could give some recommendations? I'm interested in particle physics, geophysics (mostly solid Earth and mantle dynamics sort of stuff), quantum physics, astronomy (including instrumentation) and accelerator physics. I'd be interested at looking at programs which aren't necessarily REUs, but I'll consider almost anything.

Here are some stats for reference:
GPA: mid 3.6s before this semester, but after this semester, I'm predicting it will be between high 3.6s and 3.8 (this semester's going a lot better than last year).
Science GPA: worse - low 3.5s because I barely took science classes but did badly in one last year, so this should be high 3.5s to high 3.7s by the end of this semester.
Research experience: a summer of research, a semester and counting of research in a different lab. No publications at present.
School: Top ivy league.

I'm female, if that opens more opportunities. Does anyone have any recommendations of what to look into?
 
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I don't have any programs in-particular to suggest, but on the off chance you are not familiar with this search engine, you will find it very helpful:
http://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/reu_search.cfm

There are a good number of programs that cover your interest, though they tend to be more competitive than some of the engineering or chemistry programs. You have good qualifications though (better than mine), so just apply to wherever floats your boat (and as many as possible!). Good luck
 
I've heard about SURF, and I'm really interested! Does anyone know how many non Caltech students they usually take?
 
lasymphonie said:
I've heard about SURF, and I'm really interested! Does anyone know how many non Caltech students they usually take?

When I did it, the majority of people in my small subsector were non-caltech students.
 

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