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

WayOutWestMom
Sun, 04 Nov 2018 22:48:39 +0000

Are you cold emailing or do you know the professors you’re contacting?

In your email, include a CV with emphasis on coursework and any relevant laboratory experience you have. If you have special science, math or CS skills, include those. (e.g. have you done NMR spectroscopy in your AP chem class? Have you done genetic manipulation of bacteria in your AP bio class? Have you conducted a animal survey in your AP ecology class? Do you have experience in caring for laboratory animals like mice or rats?) List the names of two or three of your science/math/CS teachers who are willing to vouch for you, together with their contact info (phone numbers, email, etc). If you have held a paying job, include that along with name of your supervisor and their contact information. If you have been a regular, long time volunteer with an organization, list that along with your supervisor and their contact info.

Make sure you have permission from your references to list their names and contact info.

I would say your chances of getting a research internship are pretty small unless you’re applying for research programs that are specifically for high school students. Many university professors won’t take high school students because they have no shortage of college student volunteers and high schoolers typically lack both the academic background and hands on experience needed for summer research positions.

There are some summer research programs just for high school students–try googling “summer science internships + high school + your location”. NIH, Stanford, JHU, Air Force Research Labs, several of the National Laboratories, MIT/Harvard, some states, etc all run summer laboratory programs for science students.

What would maximize your chances? Living near a major metropolitan area that is home to major universities or research institutes, having AP coursework in chem, bio, math, and/or CS, previous laboratory research experience, previous employment, having excellent grades. Having a parent who is a research scientist or a university/college professor/staff member helps.