how are the research opportunities in Cornell...

LaptopLover
Wed, 01 Aug 2007 16:38:16 +0000

Wow, I just realized how many questions you have :p

You should start looking for a prof ASAP. I don’t know if there are many openings, but keep looking around and e-mailing professors and whatnot. Of course, you should only e-mail professors whom you’re intersted in. Check out their websites, see what they do, etc.

However, once you get on campus, go visit the professors in person, because it’s sooo easy to say “no” to an email but it’s harder to say “no” to someone who showed the desire by coming in person.

Some professors might want you to complete a specific course before you start, in which case you should complete the course and then go visit again if you have your heart set on that prof.

Of course, if the prof says “complete fluid mechanics and then come back,” well, that might be a polite and subtle message to not come back until you’re a grad student or something since most people, if they’re going to take it, don’t take fluid mechanics until their 3rd year or so.

Don’t worry about the pay, but I can tell you it’s gonna be crappy.

Instead, you should sign up for a research course (variable credits). It’s an easy A provided you do everything your supervisor (grad student or post doc, or if you’re lucky the professor) asks of you.