<p>Academics play a big part in it. Having relationships with professors that will give you good letters of recommendation plays a big part too. A professor is more likely to write a solid letter of recommendation for a student that they have seen more often, and actually recognize. University professors are busy people, and if a random student that they barely recognize shows up asking for a LOR, they’re likely to see it as more of a hassle than anything. </p>
<p>Those professors may themselves have summer research projects that students can get involved in as well. Those positions are more likely to go to students that have shown a greater interest in the topic, versus students that have shown up at lectures and nothing more.</p>