ou get a personal connection with a faculty member which is very good for letters of recommendation. I also think research benefits you academically. Normally in classes we are required to memorize facts and equations to use on the tests. Being involved in research has changed that. Research requires an individual to learn to problem solve. When experiments don't work or you get results you weren't expecting you don't just give up. You investigate why things didn't work and what you could do next time to get a better outcome.