Advice
on Finding
a UROP
You may begin
a UROP any
time during
your academic
career. Even
though the
semester may
have already
started, a
UROP can start
as soon as
arrangements
(applications,
funding, registration)
are complete.
Although there
are no universal
starting dates,
UROP projects
are grouped
into the following
time periods:
fall; fall/IAP; IAP;
IAP/spring;
spring; summer.
However, be
sure to submit
your UROP application, including your research
proposal by
the appropriate
UROP
deadline for
the term.
Every scientist
was once a
novice. When
searching
for a UROP
project and
faculty supervisor,
don't be daunted
the first
time you knock
on an office
door. Most
faculty are
experienced
UROP supervisors
and will be
interested
in talking
with you.
They will
want to know
whether you
have the time
and energy
to take on
another intellectual
endeavor.
STEP 1:
EXAMINE YOUR
INTERESTS
AND GOALS
Before you
begin your search and start to contact
faculty members,
take a moment
to examine
your interests,
needs and
goals, so
that you can
communicate
your goals
effectively.
Professors
want to know
that you have
the time,
energy, and
commitment
to become
a productive
member of
their research
groups.
Preliminary
questions
to consider:
- Can
you commit
to spending
6-10 hours
on UROP
research
per week?
- Can
you afford
the time
away from
your coursework?
- Can
you work
on a project
for more
than one
term? Many
faculty
members
want continuity
in their
research
teams.
One term
may not
be enough
for both
you and
your faculty
supervisor
to benefit
from a
research
collaboration.
- What
area of
research
do you
want to
pursue?
Do you want
to explore
a possible
major?
Gain experience
in an
area of
interest?
Exercise
your creativity?
- Do
you have
an idea
you wish
to pursue,
but lack
a faculty
mentor?
- What
advanced
courses
have you
taken? What
programming
languages
do you
know? What
sort of
lab research
have you
conducted?
- What
are your
hobbies?
What are
your academic
and non-academic
interests?
Why you
are interested
in this
research/field/dept.?
- What
aspect
of the field
or problem
do you
hope to
investigate?
STEP 2: LOCATE AVAILABLE OPPORTUNITIES:
- Look through the list of faculty and their research interests (organized by department, lab and center).
- Check the UROP Project Openings page for current, advertised positions.
- Talk with a favorite professor after class, UROP Coordinators , friends or upperclassmen in your dorm working on projects. Also consider speaking with recitation instructors or teaching assistants who may be involved in research projects.
- Browse department sites to see if UROP listings are posted, read faculty research descriptions, and look at lab websites.
- Schedule an appointment to talk with Melissa Martin-Greene, UROP's Program Coordinator, to discuss your particular research interests. Melissa can suggest faculty members conducting relevant research that you may want to approach regarding a UROP.
NOTE: many faculty members do not rely on their UROP website descriptions to find students--they know that undergraduates will find them through subjects, Freshman Advisor Seminars, Independent Activities Period (IAP) events, or by word of mouth.
STEP 3:
DO YOUR HOMEWORK
You want
to try to
establish
a rapport
with professors,
so show interest
in, and knowledge
of, their
field. This
means that
you may need
to do some
homework in
advance. Read
their web
pages, CVs,
research abstracts,
etc. Most
of this information
can be found
on the UROP
website under
the faculty
member's department or
on the faculty
member's department
page . Department
undergraduate
offices often
have this
information
as well, so
speak with
your department's
undergraduate/academic administrator.
If you haven't
done so already,
prepare your
resume. Most
UROP supervisors
ask for resumes
when applying
for UROPs.
Outside companies
and potential
employers
will also
ask for one
when you apply
for jobs,
so having
your resume
prepared in
advance is
a good idea.
The MIT
Careers Office
(MITCO)
and the Writing
Center are
tools you
should take
advantage
of. In
addition,
the MITCO offers workshops throughout
the year.
STEP 4:
THE APPROACH
After class
may not be
the best time
to have an
involved discussion
about your
research plans,
but can be
a great way
to find out
if the professor
is enthusiastic
about a possible
collaboration. This
can be an
opportunity
to plan a
future meeting.
Office hours
vary for each
faculty member,
so it's a
good idea
to book an
appointment
in advance.
If you are
simply dropping
by in person,
try to do
so during
posted office
hours.
Leave plenty
of time for
your meeting;
do not pick
a time when
you need to
run to class
in 10 minutes.
You want to
have enough
time to have
a productive
conversation.
Remember
that faculty
members are
people too.
Don't be shy!
You have come
prepared,
so feel confident
in your ability
to express
your goals
and interests. Be
inquisitive,
and prepare
to talk about
yourself and
answer questions.
Prepare
an introduction:
- Introduce
yourself
(your name,
class year
and major
or intended
major).
- In
a few
sentences,
describe
your goals
and interests
and what
you hope
to gain
from the
meeting.
- Explain
your reasons
for being
interested
in his/her
research.
Why do
you want
to work
with this
faculty
member?
What skills
do you
bring to
the table?
Be
realistic: don't
over-commit
yourself
or claim
to have
skills that
you have
yet to master
(If you
only have
3 free hours
per week,
don't commit
to work
ten; if
you know
a little
bit of C
or C++,
don't say
that you
are a fluent
C programmer).
What are
your strengths
and weakness?
Listen to
what the professor
has to say. Be
sure to let
him/her know
whether you
are looking
for pay or
credit. This
information
will help
the professor
determine
whether their
project is
right for
you.
- Ask
questions! Explain
your goals. Can
you accomplish
your goals
in this
group?
- Find
out more
about the
research
project.
How does
it relate
to other
work in
the field. What
would
your specific
role be?
- Ask
who will
assume responsibility
for your
supervision
(including
who will
approve
your weekly
timecard)
if your
research
supervisor
is away.
Will you
work with
the Professor
or a grad student,
post doc,
etc?
STEP 5:
WRAP-UP
Before committing
to the project,
be sure to
ask yourself: Would
you be happy
working on
this type
of project
with this
group?
Research
collaborations
should be
pleasant educational
experiences.
If a group or given research project
is not right
for you, continue
your search
until you
find a project
that you will
enjoy and
a group you
are comfortable
with.
If you have
any questions
or need additional
advice along
the way, UROP
staff members
are available
to assist
you. They
can be reached
in Room 7-104,
at urop@mit.edu or
x3-7306. |
