I was talking to a girl out in Minnesota who said during her freshman year she participated in doing stem cell research and is putting that on her college application. Now, I am interested in Radiology, Cardiology, and Neurology, I live in N.J and there is a local university and a community college close by, Princeton is 30 minutes away and Rutgers is 50 minutes away. I was curious as to whether any of these schools offer high school students a chance to do research. I also am a big volunteer at a hospital and plan to go on a mission trip to another country next summer. I really want to get into a good college and I don't want to just sit around at home.

Also, any other suggestions on things that will help me get a better feel for this field, and what to do that will help me get into a good college are definitely appreciated.

I got my research position through the co-op program at my high school. I would suggest trying that. Sometimes you can get your foot in the door easier if you do through your school. Hope this helps.

Bump

Mm... I think that it's pretty unlikely that the colleges will let you do research. Usually, summer research positions are really competitive and are only reserved for the students who attend there--however, talk to the departments and see what you can do. I was allowed to shadow various different professors for a week and learn about their research, and it was absolutely fascinating.

The community college is highly unlikely to turn up anything either. As far as I know, no one at community colleges does research--they just don't have the money, supplies, space or the staffing.

So... your best bet is to look into programs with your high school (what is a co-op, anyway?). If that doesn't turn up anything, don't worry so much. Admissions counselors won't compare you to the student who did four years of gene therapy research through her high school--what they'll do is, they'll look at what your high school did offer you and how you took advantage of those programs. Does that make sense?

Also, you might want to try reaching out to other activities. Colleges like to see variety. Volunteer somewhere other than a hospital. Join the local knitting group and learn how to make a scarf. I got in on an archaeological dig for a few days. Research isn't the only thing you can do to make your application look good.

Good luck! :thumbup:

I was talking to a girl out in Minnesota who said during her freshman year she participated in doing stem cell research and is putting that on her college application. Now, I am interested in Radiology, Cardiology, and Neurology, I live in N.J and there is a local university and a community college close by, Princeton is 30 minutes away and Rutgers is 50 minutes away. I was curious as to whether any of these schools offer high school students a chance to do research. I also am a big volunteer at a hospital and plan to go on a mission trip to another country next summer. I really want to get into a good college and I don't want to just sit around at home.

Also, any other suggestions on things that will help me get a better feel for this field, and what to do that will help me get into a good college are definitely appreciated.
Some universities offer science and research programs geared to HS students. During the summer between my junior and senior years, I did a program like this at Florida State, where I worked in a lab, took classes, and lived in the dorms. That program is only open to FL HS students though, and I am not familiar with what is available in NJ. You should contact the NJ universities and see what programs they might have for HS students. I have to warn you though that it sucks big time to go back to HS after spending a summer at college! :luck: to you. :)

i did a research program through my school at Rutgers University. its called the Waksman Student Scholars Program. you do research on the DNA of sea monkeys during the summer, and continue the project at your school with an assigned advisor. i was also published on a bioinformatics database. u might want to see if your school participates in this program and if not, how can they participate.