<p>The only problem with applying for a UROP as a freshman is the assumed lack of experience (especially regarding having taken an MIT lab class). Of course, there are plenty of ways to demonstrate yourself as the exception (assuming you are one).</p>
<p>Bear in mind certain criteria when you search for/apply to UROP positions - where your research interests lie and if those interests match those of the professor whose lab you want to work in, location, time commitment, etc. Another note about off-campus UROPs (Harvard, etc.): these can come with limitations; for example, 7.18, the “perform your own research and write a paper on it by the end of term” class, prohibits off-campus UROPs to be used, as there is no way for MIT to monitor your research if you don’t work for MIT faculty.</p>