By Breanna Bonner, Peer Research Ambassador

The fall semester brings up many unique feelings and responsibilities for UConn students: excitement about the start of the school year, dread of the first round of midterms, exhaustion about the course load, and anticipation for Thanksgiving break. For seniors intending to apply for graduate or professional school, the fall semester often brings feelings of anxiety and dread around starting the application process. Remembering the college application process personally brings a shiver down my spine; now as a senior applying for PhD programs, I find myself back in a similar position.

The bad news? Unfortunately, you DO have to go through the application process. There isn’t a shortcut or magic spell to get out of the standard requirements: essay questions, personal statement, letters of recommendations, etc. The good news? The skills that you use to find and pursue research in undergrad will be useful throughout this process. Here are some key similarities between the processes:

1. Reaching out to professors of interest

Often, graduate and professional school applications will suggest that prospective students reach out to faculty at the school to see if their interests align with the students. In the case of PhD programs, most applications require it. While reaching out to these professors might seem daunting, it’s the same process as pursuing research in undergrad. In both cases, do your homework and email faculty to ask questions about the work they are currently doing. Consider reading How to Connect with Faculty for tips on making valuable faculty connections.

2. Finding letters of recommendation

If you have ever applied to a research program such as BOLD or The Caxide Scholars Program, you know that letters of recommendations are often required for the application process. Especially when you are applying to take on a big project or degree, the application committee wants to know that faculty can vouch for your abilities. Graduate and professional school applications require multiple letters of recommendations for this exact reason. The etiquette for requesting letters of recommendation is simple: pick a professor who knows your abilities, try to reach out at least one month in advance of the deadline, and reach out a week before the due date with a check-in. While not required, it’s also a good idea to thank your professors after they have sent in the letter: remember, they put a lot of time and effort into those! Refer to OUR’s guide to letters of recommendations  for letter request templates.

3. Nailing the personal pitch

Both research applications, reaching out to join a professor’s lab/project, and applying for graduate/professional school all require a personal pitch. Simply put, can you explain who you are, what research you want to do, why you want to pursue it, and what makes you uniquely qualified? If so, you’ve nailed the art of the personal pitch. If you’re lost on what to say, reach out to a peer research ambassador or a trusted advisor/ faculty member to help brainstorm.

Although applying for graduate or professional school might on the surface seem daunting, many of the skills that you utilize in pursuing research transfer over to the application process. Remember to thank your recommenders, reach out to trusted advisors for help, and utilize the resources of OUR. Good luck, we got this!

By Julia Armington, Peer Research Ambassador

Coming into college as a pre-med student, I had many expectations and aspirations for my time at UConn. I looked at college as a checklist and one of the main goals I knew I needed to address was getting into a research lab. To me, research was a rite of passage, and if I got into a lab, I would be set. But the process I endured was not as simple as I had thought.

I searched and searched UConn’s Molecular and Cell Biology and Physiology and Neurobiology department pages, looking for labs that were willing to take on an undergraduate student. Under the impression that only research in a biology department would be highly regarded, I went in with a closed mind and little idea of what I would actually be doing. After I had met with a few labs to discuss their research, I felt unengaged and unenthusiastic about the process that I had been gearing up for. Little did I know, I skipped arguably the most important part of getting involved in research. I didn’t know why I wanted to research or what I wanted to get out of the experience. These roadblocks were vital to the next steps I took to finally pin down what I found interesting and why I was doing it all. So, this is what I did:

Reflected on my Personal Experiences & Interests

A big part of what led me to my major in Biomedical Engineering was my experience with sports medicine and learning from what my orthopedic surgeon had to say about recent developments and literature. When I reflected on this experience, I recognized the interest I had expressed in this topic made me want to inquire and keep learning more. This continued interest past the basic knowledge of the topic inspired me to absorb as much information as I could and proved to be something I was passionate about.

Considered my Learning Style

I have always been a visual learner. Freshman year, entering all my general education and major requirement classes with 100+ people in every class, I knew I had to find a way to complement my learning outside of lecture. I noticed I learned a lot more when I participated in the lab sections of my classes and so, I knew I would like to have some wet lab experience pertaining to my major. This is an important consideration when it comes to research that many students don’t recognize. Research is not just a resume booster it is an excellent learning experience to add depth to your academic experience.

Thought Outside the Box

Academics can feel restricting. It can be hard to take the time to actually learn the content when the pressure of getting good grades is looming. This is the great part about research: you’re not there to get graded! Research is an experience to expand on your classroom knowledge and you don’t have to be right. Additionally, research does not even have to pertain to your major. If there is a topic you feel strongly about and you are willing to put the time into researching it, do it! Research is the space for you to express your interests and learn as much as you can about your passions.

At the end of the day, it is important to carefully think about what’s motivating you to join a research lab. Will you enjoy showing up to some random lab every other day because it looks good on your resume? Or would you rather show up to a lab that’s researching something you have always wanted to know more about? Take the time to consider your interests, motivations, and learning methods. This will make the process of meeting with a professor about their research much more digestible when you go in with a clear mind and goal in sight. Don’t forget: in order to do research, you have to do your research!

By Olivia Joyce, Peer Research Ambassador

There is a common narrative that all research happens in wet labs and only is occurs in STEM fields with lab coats and beakers. However, this is far from accurate. Every full-time faculty member here is engaged in some form of research in all fields and departments at UConn. Research is designed for all fields, and everyone belongs in research no matter their major or background. I have been lucky enough to engage in several different social science projects research throughout my time here at University of Connecticut in fields like Political Science and Psychology. Social science research can help us explain things that can’t be captured through experiments and lab work, but instead can help us explain society and behavior.

As a Political Science and Statistics major, I have participated in many meaningful projects in the social sciences. An important experience to highlight was my summer spent participating in the Social Science, Humanities, and Arts Research Experience (SHARE) program through OUR. This was one of my first research experiences, after the summer of freshman year. I worked with Dr. Zehra Arat, a faculty member in Political Science. Throughout the summer I helped to work on her book about Human Rights trends and language in Turkey. This project gave me a good look at different methods in political science from qualitative data organization and quantitative data analysis, while working to understand trends over time in human rights language and how it differed based on time period and party affiliation. Social science research is incredibly diverse methodologically and you can find something that fits all interests!

I also previously worked as a research assistant for CIRIRIGHTS, where I was working to research acts of violence throughout the entire world, including variables like extrajudicial killings and torture. It is clear that there needs to be more accountability and protections against violence across the world, and this is the impact that can be made with social science research – it can be used to identify problems and help make the push for a safer world for all. This past summer I received a Caxide Scholars Grant, to explore a project titled “Legal Protections Against Non-State Actor Torture: The Case of Gender-Based Violence in the United States.” I focused on torture provisions in the United States, and what states had protections from torture in their legal codes. There have been no significant pushes to include torture protections under many state laws or federal laws, which means many forms of violence remain unprotected to the fullest extent of the law.

There are so many opportunities with the humanities and social sciences. Research in these fields is incredibly valuable, and every student should take the opportunity to explore opportunities to research and expand knowledge in their respective fields. Research in these fields start with questioning something we are seeing and why it happens. Sometimes social science research is not as cut and dry as STEM research. It is harder to run experiments on social phenomenon. Social science research is incredibly different and the experience of doing research is very different, but it is still just as valuable and important for expanding and pursuing knowledge. Social science research can play a role in making incredible change and impact in the world, and everyone can participate (even STEM majors) in social science research and help to make an impact on the world. Social science research can have implications across so many different fields, from government, policy, and social movements. Research is for everyone, and social science research can teach you so much about yourself and your interests!

By Ashly Gasior, Peer Research Ambassador

Who do you think of when you think of a researcher?

Personally, I think of a crazy genius who has never gotten a B and is graduating early.  In reality, the vast majority of researchers are NOTHING like this… and yet we still compare ourselves to this gold standard.

There is no such thing as “smart enough” to do research.  Research is creative and inspiring and rewarding… but it is also incredibly humbling.  You will make silly mistakes, you will forget things, and there will be times you feel incredibly unqualified to do research.  But mistakes are how you learn and grow, and it can be really tough to separate your worth from the mistakes you make.  Imposter syndrome is when despite obvious evidence of your accomplishments, you still doubt your own success and abilities.  This mentality can cause persistent feelings of anxiety towards your research, and poses a significant barrier for a large number of researchers!

So… how can we go about avoiding falling into the pit that is imposter syndrome?

1. Remember, it is normal.

When you start getting really in your own head about your capabilities, it helps to step back for a moment, and remember that it is not just you.  Almost everyone has doubts about the work they are doing, so your thoughts have nothing to do with your aptitude.

2. Mistakes are GOOD!

My motto is “all information is good information” (see our recent post from PRA Andrei to learn more about making “new” mistakes!)  If ten things don’t work, you know now ten more things about what you are studying!  Yes, it may not be what you wanted, but before you find something that works, you need to know what doesn’t work.  This also applies to silly mistakes like breaking glassware or setting something up wrong; good technique is a learning process!

3. Keep track of what you’ve accomplished

If you’re doubting your own abilities, a point-blank way of approaching this is to make a list of all the awesome things you’ve done!  Don’t disregard five accomplishments for one mistake.

And remember… if your research is taking too much of a toll on your mental health, don’t be afraid to reach out for help.  I’ve included some resources here:

UCONN Mental Health Resources

Immediate Support Resources

SHaW’s Contact Info & Hours

You’ve got this! The world needs your research and creative work.

By Alana Wolfson, Peer Research Ambassador

First of all, you should be extremely proud of yourself, so celebrate! You got through the first hump of sending out cold emails, preparing elevator pitches, and even networking with professor(s)/UConn faculty. You already made the first big step of finding your passion and navigating undergraduate research. 

I know when I started my research endeavors at UConn, I was constantly asking myself: How do I prepare myself? How much do I have to know? What if I fail? Is this a stupid question? The list goes on…I eventually learned how to get over that intimidation factor and feel prepared. 

Talk to Your Research Team 

Communication with your research team is the best way to get over that intimidation factor. Whether it consists of talking to your PI/Professor, post-docs, grad students or even other fellow undergraduates, open communication is key. Any questions, concerns, or ideas you pick up along the way should be shared with your team. Your research group does not want you to feel intimidated! Asking questions and having open dialogue with your team will strengthen your relationships and even lead to new projects. From personal experience, asking questions or even bringing up ideas from a paper sparks the best conversations (nerd out all you want ). 

Additionally, open dialogue is essential in preventing problems. As an example, if you work in any setting with possible hazards, you need to have clear communication with your team. Clear communication is essential for your safety and prevents potential problems caused by miscommunication. No question is stupid, especially when it comes to your safety.  

Do Some Reading 

Almost every research project requires lots of reading! Reading your professor’s past work, or articles that relate to your lab/group are extremely helpful. That can consist of skimming through a bunch of abstracts/summaries (the first paragraph that appears in an article), or reading full papers is a great start towards getting prepared. This allows you to further understand the work that goes on in your team and create new ideas! I personally like to download PDFs of articles and take small annotations using an edit tool. This definitely comes in handy when you start writing!! 

Go Easy on Yourself 

You are here to learn and explore your passions. The whole purpose of college is to further your experiences, and education. If you are frustrated because a lab technique is difficult, you are unfamiliar with some jargon, or have a ton of writing/reading, take a DEEP BREATH. You are still adjusting and are working on yourself. This piece of advice can apply to honestly anything in college. Life is about improving and steady progress. Don’t feel as if you have to know everything when starting out! 

Take a deep breath, because you got this! Feel free to reach out to myself or any of the PRAs (Peer Research Ambassadors), if you would like to talk or learn more about the Office of Undergraduate Research.