1. Research in University Soo Jeong Hwang Rutgers University Class of ’18 This PowerPoint made using information from a faculty and personal experience. 03/19/15

2. WSSP

3. Academics Office Hours (the professor gets to know you) You CAN change your path Enjoy! Try new things.

4. Are you interested in doing research? An Advice: In the first semester, get into the lifestyle. Academics, lifestyle, directions, play time, etc. Reach out to faculty. The earlier you get in the game, the more you gain

5. If you are interested in research… Browse through faculty research profiles If you find their research interesting, read some of their abstracts. Go and tour the lab building Email the professor (see sample) Ask faculty (who knows you) about other faculty They know each other. Rec letter Ask upperclassmen Programs, fellowships

8. Contact Location

9. Search, Read Abstracts

11. Read the Abstracts but also look at the figures – what kind of experiments do they do?

12. Sample Bad Email SPAM!

13. Sample Email

14. Don’t just copy and paste! Think about what you want them to know.

15. Sample Email Do you have a position? Be detailed meh

16. Then what? You are allowed to shop for labs. Professors do not always respond. Keep following up.

17. Questions for you What about my research are you interested in? Why are you interested in doing research? What skills do you know / have you done? If you have been involved in a program, describe it. Courses you took / are taking Interview

18. Questions for them They will tell you about their projects Don’t just sit and listen. Ask questions. Ask them if they can show you their labs. Interview

19. The Lab Environment Who is in the lab? The professors/ PIs are usually not there Grad student? Post doc? Undergraduates. Any upperclassmen? If the lab is consisted of just the PI and undergrads, it may not be the best learning environment for you.

20. The Lab Environment If you can talk to an undergrad Ask them what the lab environment is really like Can they do their own research? Are they getting enough guidance? (What’s the mentor like?)

21. Time Make sure you can handle it with the classes! You will be in the lab for 10 or + hrs/ week. Congratulations, you found a lab!

22. Declining Make sure to email other professors that you are not coming. Thank them for their time Ex: I have found other opportunities...

23. Once you start Readings Go to lab meetings, take notes, ask questions. It takes time, but you will get it.

24. Doing Research Research for credit 1 credit = 3 hours/ week 2-3 credits/ semester (14-17 total credits/ semester) Fellowships – funding Pay Summer is a great time to do research

25. Staying with a lab More time ~ more good results -> happy professor -> good rec letter You can switch labs if you are not enjoying it. But stick with it for at least three to four months. Talk to the faculty/ mentor about what you were expecting and what you would like to do.

26. All of the above are a perspective. Do not let any one of them be a determining factor in your pursuits.

27. What you choose to do from now on matters more than what you have or have not done and where you are going. Be patient What do you want to do?

28. College Exposure to various, new things Meet people Taking care of yourself! Find people you can talk with – RAs Get involved – activities/ clubs Take the AP credits Try new things.

29. Thank you.