research under a relative

[singularjon]

Hey guys, so I'm going to be applying for my master's for computer security or computer science soon, and I haven't had any research experience yet. My uncle is a math professor and teaches cryptography, so I'd like to be able to do research under him. How would this look to the admissions office? Is it still impressive even though he's a relative and not from the same college?

[iphi]

Well, does he have the same last name? If not, there's really nothing to link you!

[VirginianFeminist]

Even if your uncle does have the same last name as you, I think it's still good experience (as long as you make substantive contributions to your uncle's research). It would be a lot more impressive if you were to attract the attention of an unrelated professor solely on the basis of your qualifications, but it's still research experience in a related field. Also, you might be able to leverage your research with your uncle to get your next offer to do research. 

[bsharpe269]

If he has hte same last night then I would say that it is less impressive but still much much better than none at all. I agree with the idea that a semester or summer with him could lead to the experience that will get you another offer.

 

If he doesnt have the same last name then no one would really know. Definitely don't lie about it if it comes up and if they figure it out or ask then be honest. The only potential issue I see is that sometimes grad schools specify that you cannot get recommendation letters from relatives and you definitely want to use a research advisor as one of your letters.

[Vene]

Well, does he have the same last name? If not, there's really nothing to link you!

Even if they share it, if it's a common name like "Smith" or "Jones" nobody would really think much of it.