What to send in a research request email as a high school student?

GoldenRock
Mon, 05 Nov 2018 15:52:24 +0000

@bigred01 here are some points.

Formal Programs:

They are good and useful when you apply to colleges or special programs. But very hard to get unless you are active and have done some prior internship or similar informal thing in prior summers or involved in any science or math fairs. Also mostly they target for local school kids (because of the logistics for out of state students and expense involved).
Another head wind is most of them need LOR and that is getting very hard especially if you are in a big public school and adds stress to counselors and teachers. They give preference / time to senior for the regular college app. Most of the program application process runs almost like college app starting from Dec/Jan with multiple LORs, transcripts etc.

Informal Programs:
Before you send mail, first spend some time on few targeted university near your home. School’s web site will have lot of information, not only each department sites, each department have many labs and they have their own web sites, and even some profs provide details on their current research etc., If some thing interests and if you have done some background to connect, it will be easier when you send the email.

Some students mentioned it took many cold emails (30-50) and some got response even in 5-10 emails. It takes time few months to get any response. As WOWM suggested, send email little late.

It does not matter what program because it is any day better than sitting at home. It helps to learn some new things in life (beyond academics), work in a team, listen, learn. Also it may help to get a LOR when you apply to college if you did a outstanding job, interview discussion point etc.,