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Does the university offer any events within your field of interest open to you as a high school pupil? If so: attend! Once you're there, you can try to talk to one of the professors. (Hint: if you know in advance who is likely to be there, do your homework. What is he currently working on? What's his position? etc.) Alternately, get a common acquaintance to introduce you. If you can manage that, you've established a bridgehead to move on from. In my experience professors are a lot more open to people they have met in person, even briefly, than to complete strangers writing to them out of the blue. Show that you are really fascinated by the topic (I'm assuming you are - don't fake it), and have taken time to understand as much of it as you can. Don't forget that professors are humans too. Some are amazing people, incredibly kind and supportive, others are the opposite. If it doesn't work out with one professor, try another one. Then move on to their PhD & grad students. Be advised that you are asking for quite a lot, so be humble in your requests. Don't be disappointed if you are turned down. In all honesty, that is the most likely outcome. (Having said that, though: where there is a will, there is a way. Although the way may not lead to where you thought it would.) Perhaps you should start a little smaller: ask for a tour of the lab, or a one week internship. And finally: no matter what the outcome, keep your head up! :-) Here's one of my favourite quotes that has often motivated me: "It has long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things." - Elinor Smith |