<p>I’m a sophomore now and started doing research last summer. I wouldn’t really recommend doing research freshman year. Your skill set is pretty limited and it’s important to figure out what you actually want to research. It definitely isn’t a disadvantage to not research your freshman year. I ended up getting into a pretty prestigious research program this year with just one year of experience. I didn’t get my research position from online. I got it through a recommendation from a professor who taught one of my classes. Every week there are tons of academic talks. This is a great way to check out novel research and network with professors. </p>
<p>If you are worried about a lack of neuroscience research at Rice, don’t be. Rice students have taken an active interest in neuroscience in the past few years and the Rice faculty is working to enhance the opportunities in neuroscience. The ECE department is bringing in faculty candidates to speak on neuroscience research almost every week right now. There is a neuroscience minor starting next semester and the major will be following shortly. Students can take classes at Baylor College of Medicine in addition to research with prominent Baylor and Rice faculty. In short, it’s a great time to be interested in neuroscience at Rice.</p>