Hello!
It looks like my problem a year ago and I managed to do this, and I will try to explain how.
So, basically, you are right, the thing that helped me the most - cold emails to professors. What I would say, don’t expect very much when writing to professors with loud names. Instead, try searching a lab inside a known institution. For example, do you know UMass? So there are plenty of institutes associated with (I don’t know if I phrased that correctly) it. I emailed one professor who, at some point, helped me a little with my science fair project presentation preparation. After that I have heard a lot from professors that the most valuable is to email the lab holder directly. They really value if the person emails them directly, this shows passion and curiosity and that is what sets you apart.
So try searching online what universities are in your state and the labs that are in it. Better not choose the one which is overwhelmed with people. Pick the one which does what really interests you and email the leading professor, whose name the lab holds.
What can help is the possible relation to a professor. Please excuse me, this is only for an example, say if you are from Brazil, it is more likely that a professor who is originally from Brazil too will help you.
Try researching their lab, read some publications made by them. And when emailing the professor try to show that you know them and really value their work. Write with passion. In a formal tone, but show emotions. We are still teenagers and people really value to see mature thinking with youth sparkle. You see what I mean. If you get interviewed, be very polite (of course) but speak with a “fire in eyes”. The way you are writing it here I see that you are a person of your dream, so do not hold it away when speaking to people. Be as honest, open and outgoing as you feel comfortable.
This is what, to my mind, brought me to the lab where I am lucky to work. And when in the lab, try to give ideas, not only listen. I think you will not have problems with that, this was just a little bit hard for me since English was my second language and I am a bit introvert, but the people are really nice and in the lab I feel like in my second home.
So definitely try emailing professors. A rough plan for the process:
- Search for an institution, better some medical school or university (there are more choices there) in your state
- Find a lab with not the most loud name but that would interest you
- Research this lab, visit their website, read profiles of people that work in it, publications, any info
- Find an email of the leading professor. This person you should research the most
- Email the professor with the following points:
- explain you are a highly motivated high school student and show some (not a lot, try to not make it your resume) of your acomplishments, like your said, precollege programs, shadowing a doctor in the hospital (this may be controversional, so think about if you should include this, I really don’t know)
- say a couple things that stood out to you in their lab, like a discovery or a publication, they always want to know what captured people’s attention
- say that you would be grateful if they took you for some research if they have places
- think about anything else that can differentiate you
This will not 100% get you a research, but I hope that my post at least made some things more clear 