Nov 07, 2016 11:03 AM EST By Jane Reed, UniversityHerald Reporter

Senior and junior high school students are preparing for the next phase of their lives. The journey to higher education can be daunting. But there are essential things these prospective college individuals need to do and learn when applying for college.

There are students who want hands-on learning experiences. And the way to do that is to become a part of research projects with professors and faculty members.

But according to an expert's analysis, too many students and their families believe that the only way to do that is to become a part of a research university. They call it an R1, cites the Washington Post. Faculty members work with research teams with secured federal grants from federal agents, like the National Science Foundation or the National Institutes of Health, and many more.

It is best to be prepared for the event that the potential undergraduate may not even have the chance to work on projects at a research university. These research universities mostly reserve the opportunity for graduate students. According to the author of "There Is Life After College," Jeffrey J. Selingo, undergraduate students may not even meet those well-established professors because R1s bring in graduate students to teach courses.

It is true that undergraduate research looks good on paper and it is an important part to a successful career after college. Studies confirm that project based learning enables students to practice critical thinking, experience real life problem simulations, and provide a better understanding of what they learn from the classroom.

But research universities, or R1s, are not the only place to get these. According to Selingo, students have a much higher chance of working with professors and faculty members at a small liberal arts college or a college that focuses on undergraduate education.

There are multiple colleges and universities out there that allow undergraduates to get involved with certain faculty led projects. When visiting campuses, you can ask the class professors of the course you are planning to take for such information.

Want to know more about research universities? Check out this video below:

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