Hello, I have very similar questions for Materials Science! It is good to see someone else planning so far ahead. 😊

From my research, for US universities, many have a UROP (Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program). You can often apply in your first year, but it is more common to be accepted in the second year once you have taken some university-level courses. For summer, there are also programs called REU (Research Experiences for Undergraduates) which are very competitive but excellent.

I am also looking at NUS in Singapore, and they seem to have good research opportunities integrated into the curriculum from year 2 or 3.

Your home lab experience sounds very impressive. I think that will help you a lot! 👍

whoa a home chemistry lab is SO COOL! 🧪✨ you're already doing research, that's amazing! you should totally put that all over your application!

@EcoByte is right, UROPs are a huge thing in the US and Canada! at a lot of schools like Waterloo or UofT, you can get into a lab as early as the summer after your first year. it's super competitive tho, especially for AI/ML labs so i imagine it's the same for sustainable energy.

some profs even have their own websites where they say if they're looking for undergrads! you could try looking up professors at Imperial or Delft whose research you like and see what they say. good luck!! 🚀

This is a very practical line of questioning. Maximizing the ROI on your degree by securing research experience is a sound strategy.

From a strategic standpoint:

1. Timing: First year is low probability. Professors want to see your university-level academic performance first. Target the summer after your first year for applications, aiming for a second-year start.
2. Integration: It's a mix. Some research is for course credit, some is paid (UROP/REU), some is volunteer. Paid positions are obviously the most competitive.
3. Competitiveness: High. Especially in a high-growth field like renewables. You need to differentiate yourself. Your Olympiad medal and home lab are strong assets. Quantify the work you did in your lab if possible.

I would recommend you begin creating a list of professors at your target schools now. Read their papers. When the time comes to email them, you can demonstrate genuine interest in their specific work. This is basic networking.

Thank you all for the very helpful replies! This gives me a much clearer picture.

@EcoByte The REU programs sound interesting, I will look into those. Are they typically only for US citizens, or are international students eligible to apply?

@SynthLogic @AlphaYield Thank you for the advice. I have been looking at some professors' work, but I was worried it would be too forward to email them so early. It seems like it is a good strategy to prepare for. I will start organizing my notes on their research. :)

This is all very helpful. It feels less overwhelming now.

in the uk it feels a bit different. for architecture at least, first year is all about learning the fundamentals, they don't expect you to be in a research group. most of the formal research or internships happen in the summer between second and third year.

but your home lab is amazing! that's your biggest advantage. you should document it like a portfolio. take good photos of your experiments, write about what you were trying to achieve, what worked and what didn't. it shows passion and initiative which is what they love to see. ✨

i think for places like Imperial or Manchester, showing them you already have that practical drive is really important. 🏛️

lab research is cool but have you looked at practical teams? like formula student or engineers without borders. at my cousin's school in the US they build a concrete canoe lol. you learn a lot and you build stuff with your hands. much better than just cleaning glass for a phd student. 🔧

@GreenSolv_ That is a good question. Many REU programs funded by the NSF (National Science Foundation) in the US are restricted to US citizens or permanent residents. However, some universities have their own funding and can accept international students. You must check each program's website for the eligibility details. It requires a lot of searching. 😊