FAQs

You can start when you feel ready! There isn't a set starting date, but you should only undertake research when you are able to budget enough time and energy alongside your other commitments. Some start as early as freshman year!

Depending on what you are interested in, you can explore potential interests by talking to your instructors, attending a departmental research talk, attending the bi-annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, reading articles and university publications, and perusing the list of potential faculty mentors and their research.

You should 

• introduce yourself 

• explain why you are interested in research

• why you are specifically interested in their particular type of research

• what you are looking for

• request to speak further  

You should NOT ask for a job or research position in this first communication. 

Please see Sample Emails for more information.

Be prepared to discuss your relevant skills and experiences, if applicable. If you have not worked in a lab, try to demonstrate your interest in the specific areas of study as it relates to what you've learned and the skills you hope to gain from the experience. Additionally, you should try to understand the kind of work you would be doing, the overall lab culture, and if there are any opportunities for mentorship.

Please check out Interview Help for more information

Yes!  You can earn credit in non-clinical biology/biomedical research through enrollment in Bio 200 (1st and 2nd-year students) or Bio 500 (3rd and 4th-year students).  You can also earn credit if your research is clinical or patient-focused through Bio 265. 

The WashU U-Pass allows you to get to the Central West End at no cost. You can register for a U-Pass anytime before or during the semester. The MetroLink trains depart from nearby locations every 20 minutes to CWE, or you can take a Danforth campus shuttle directly there. 

Please don't hesitate to contact us at biologyresearchambassadors@wustl.edu

Receiving credit vs. payment for work done in lab varies greatly from lab to lab. Be sure to consult with your P.I. about what you’ll be receiving for your work prior to starting. If receiving credit, be sure to check out information on the following webpage.

Yes! If you have interest in Latin Honors for your major, often times a research component is required. For instance, for the Latin Honors in Biology, you need a Research Empasis thesis to qualify.