<p>iammichelle - I don’t know if honors students receive priority for research, but I think one has to give kudos to Pitt for making research opportunities available for freshmen. No, you don’t have to know a professor to get involved in research. One simply applies as a first year student. [First</a> Experiences in Research](<a href=“http://www.as.pitt.edu/undergraduate/experience/first-experiences-research.html]First”>http://www.as.pitt.edu/undergraduate/experience/first-experiences-research.html)</p>
<p>As a second semester freshman, my daughter is participating in this program. She loves it! Prior to December, she didn’t know the professor and didn’t take any of her classes. The professor was part of the program - agreed to mentor 2 students who would assist in her research - and viola…she’s now gaining valuable experience that she wouldn’t otherwise if she were left to her own devices of trying to cultivate those types of connections.</p>
<p>Pitt does an outstanding job of trying to provide research opportunities for those students who want it.</p>