My summer research was a great asset in addition to applying to grad school. This was perfect timing to do research, and it was a great opportunity to boost my grad school application for sure; especially with the mentorship that I got from Dr. Hanrahan. He was able to direct me into what I needed to do for grad school.
I participated in undergraduate research, which I think is valuable for anyone majoring in a STEM field. It’s rare to find small institutions with research programs, so I took advantage of this opportunity and it taught me a lot about real experimentation.
The greatest resources at Cal Lutheran were my professors and the research opportunities. The research opportunities they offer are amazing and accessible, it is so easy to get hands-on research if you want it, and the professors are so willing and flexible to work with your schedule to include you.
I have always loved numbers and hands-on work, so a chemistry major allowed me to explore my passion for analytical chemistry. While at Cal Lutheran, I have the best of both worlds: tons of hands-on experience with direct and personal guidance and collaborative quantitative work. As I immersed myself in the science buildings on campus, I realized that I have access to a wide range of instruments, a variety of research topics to explore and extremely supportive professors.
Working this summer with Dr. Kingsbury was eye-opening to say the least. Every day was an adventure in learning all the advanced techniques that professional chemists use to expertly manipulate materials.
Go to Career Services and help set yourself up for an internship freshman year. Yes, you may think it’s too early, but you want to do this right away. This can help as a stepping stone for a career, graduate school, or whatever you choose.