<p>@overmind87 - Given your comment in post #27, definitely look into the [Association</a> of Independent Technological Universities: AITU](<a href=“http://theaitu.org%5DAssociation”>http://theaitu.org) schools which are research universities along with major public universities. Many of them also have entrepreneurship programs and give students assistance in commercializing their ideas. One example from my own university, Illinois Tech, is the [url=" <a href="http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20131106/bridgeport/x-cube-bridgeport-student-develops-21st-century-puzzle"]XCube[/url">http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20131106/bridgeport/x-cube-bridgeport-student-develops-21st-century-puzzle"]XCube[/url</a>].</p>
<p>While getting a taste of research is possible at most universities, a research university offers you the possibility of working side by side with Ph.D. students and get a good idea of what it will be like.</p>