Should I choose a university based on the laboratories I might join later?
Potential laboratories can be an important factor when choosing a university, but they should not be the only basis for the decision. Research themes, faculty members, the timing and conditions for joining a laboratory, and the assignment process may differ by faculty and academic year, and joining a preferred laboratory is not guaranteed. Compare these factors with foundational education, the curriculum, learning environment, commuting, and costs, and confirm the current arrangements in official information.
Key points
- Check whether the research themes and faculty members match your interests.
- Find out when students join laboratories, what conditions or capacity limits apply, and how assignments are decided if demand exceeds capacity.
- Also compare foundational education, the curriculum, learning environment, commuting, and costs.
Things to check
- Laboratory themes, faculty affiliations, and assignment systems may change, so check the official information for the academic year in which you plan to enroll.