Questions about research in general

1. Q.Where can I find research articles?
   

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3. A.Visit https://www.pubmed.gov. Some articles require a paid subscription.  Check with your college library as you may be able to get free access to articles through its subscription.
   

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5. Q.Should I consider undergraduate research?
   

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7. A.If you’re considering medical school, graduate school, or other professional schools you should seriously consider undergraduate research. In many cases, prior research experience is required or at least highly recommended for admission into these types of highly competitive programs. 
   

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9. Q.Can I get paid to do undergraduate research?
   

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11. A.Yes! While many research internships are for course credit, other research fellowships and apprenticeships carry a stipend. These programs are usually competitive and require submission of an application. Many of these programs are designed for the summer months when students typically have lighter course loads--and thus, students are expected to conduct research full time or nearly full time.  Keep in mind that it’s often easier to start as a volunteer in a laboratory and then transition into a paid position.
    

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13. Q.I am worried about the time commitment involved with Undergraduate research. How many hours will I be required to invest?
    

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15. A.Undergraduate research can be as large or small of a commitment as you like. You decide when to work and how much time to invest--within reason. Most research advisors would expect a commitment of at least 10 hours a week, but 15-20 hours a week is probably more realistic for students working on a defined research project or a senior thesis. In general, It is best to be available for a few large blocks rather than many small blocks of time. The more flexible you can be, the more opportunities you will find.  Be sure to clearly define your expected time commitment with your research advisor as early as possible. 
    

Questions about getting into a lab

1. Q.How do I find a lab or investigator to work for?
   

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3. A.The best way to approach this is to browse the opportunities advertised through resources like the UW Undergraduate Research Program Website, or to directly browse the faculty web pages in the department of interest. 
   

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5. Q.How do I inquire about available positions in a lab?
   

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7. A.There is no one right way--many strategies work, including email, phone, in person, or through a friend that is currently working in the lab of interest.  Email is often the most convenient for all parties as a first approach.  The key is to be professional, motivated, and persistent.  Do not be afraid to follow up in a week if you don't get a response on your first try.  Be sure to have a resume or CV available if requested, and possibly a short written statement about your career goals and why you are interested in a research internship. Prepare ahead of time by reading some of the lab’s publications, or at least learn more about their topic of study.

Questions about research at UW

1. Q.I am currently a NSCC student interested in research. Can I work in a research laboratory at the UW?
   

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3. A.Generally, Yes!  These arrangements are fairly informal and the policies are determined by the individual laboratory heads.   There is no restriction preventing NSCC students from volunteering or applying for a research internship at UW.  Be sure to clearly indicate that you are not currently a UW student or if you plan to transfer to UW in the near future. 
   

1. Q.I am considering getting involved in undergraduate research after I transfer to UW. How long should I wait after transferring before I start a research internship?
   

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3. A.Transfer students often face the considerable challenge of how to maximize time efficiency after transferring.  It is very likely that a transfer student will only have 2-3 years remaining before completion of their undergraduate degree.  Considering that it takes about 1.5-2 years in most cases to develop a meaningful research experience, it is important to get started as soon as you have adjusted to the new situation (which often takes at least one quarter).  It is a great idea to plan your strategy during this first quarter.  You may not have the time or energy to carry out research, but you can still be searching for opportunities or browsing the research programs of various faculty members. 
   

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5. Q.Is it true that undergraduate research is a requirement of the Honors Program at UW?
   

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7. A.Yes. For most of the undergraduate programs (particularly in the sciences) there is a formal research component to the Honors program which requires an honors thesis at the completion of your undergraduate research. 
   

University of Washington, Seattle