How do I get into research as an incoming sophomore?
I am a freshman right now who is interested in machine learning in neurobiology, cancer research, molecular biology, and global initiatives (particularly with women and girls in Nigeria.)
I'm taking the Harvard CS50 Intro to Computer Science course. I am going to be in Girls Who Code and (hopefully) Kode with Klossy this summer. Last week, I emailed a professor at X university near me about opportunities for high school students and I doubt I'm going to get a response. I just don't have enough on my resume to get opportunities like this.
I want to get into research and do local competitions, but how do I get started? I feel like I've already wasted so much time. How do I pad my resume with things professors will see as useful. I'm going to build coding projects that implement data science, but I feel so behind. Please help.
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2 answers
Hi! I totally understand you. I felt the same way a few months ago. When I wanted to start doing research, I just started reaching out to researchers and other professors at my local university. After just 3 emails, I got 2 responses: one said no, but one actually said yes. So I recommend just emailing - cold emailing. It got me into a research lab, even though they wouldn’t pay me.
Hope this helps!
Hi!! First off so good that you have your interests so early!! I would definitely say first, don't freak out!! You are not so behind in fact you are way ahead of most people your age trust me. The things you have on your resume now are a great start.
I would definitely say the key to getting opportunities is just sending emails and getting in contact! Tell them that you're a freshman/rising sophomore in high school and want opportunities. Don't just limit yourself to professors at top-ranking universities or even universities in general; contact local organizations or non-profits (specifically for your global initiative) and from there you'll get responses. Yes, they may say no, but don't discount the off chance that they'll say yes!! Every email I have received has been awesome.
You're doing awesome! I'm a sophomore and get these feelings of inadequacy as well but just stay focused!
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Also, what grade are you in? Do professors tend to prefer upperclassmen?