Athlete- Help with Research (Trying to Find Time)

[Livestrong1]

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I have a GPA of 3.93 and am a junior in school. I wrestle in college so I am not able to have a research position during school since it takes 15-20 hours a week that I don't have at all. I volunteer and will be getting my EMT certification this summer most likely and taking my MCAT in August. I will apply next year most likely. I am not sure what I should do about research. Should I try to get a job in the summer? Even though I wouldn't be able to continue with it in the fall..Or should when I graduate next year try to get a research position so I am doing research while my application process is going on? I'm just looking for insight on this problem...and also maybe other possibilities for me

Thanks

 

[DrMaximus]

I have a GPA of 3.93 and am a junior in school. I wrestle in college so I am not able to have a research position during school since it takes 15-20 hours a week that I don't have at all. I volunteer and will be getting my EMT certification this summer most likely and taking my MCAT in August. I will apply next year most likely. I am not sure what I should do about research. Should I try to get a job in the summer? Even though I wouldn't be able to continue with it in the fall..Or should when I graduate next year try to get a research position so I am doing research while my application process is going on? I'm just looking for insight on this problem...and also maybe other possibilities for me

Thanks

As an undergrad I probably only do ten hours a week, fifteen at the absolute max in research.

 

[Livestrong1]

I've tried to get jobs that are 5-10 hours but it's hard....especially since wrestling is probably the most time consuming sport

 

[fngerscrossed]

I was also a college athlete, and really didn't have the time to do research. This was one of the reasons I chose to do research as a graduate student... however I am not suggesting this route for you.Only one of my interviews has even brought up the topic of my research.

The feeling I get is that research is one of those things that they like to see, because it means that you are interested, and not simply floating through. They also understand that student athletes make huge sacrifices, and part of that is not having the free time to spend in the lab. Sports also make your application more interesting (I have been asked about my team experience more than my lab experience).

My suggestion is to get some lab experience, but not stress over it. See if there is a professor who would like some free help in the lab a few hours a week. If not, do it over the summer, either this one or while your application is in progress. I wouldn't worry about spending a huge amount of time on it. You clearly weren't just being lazy, and I don't think not having that experience kills your app, its just a good thing to add if you can.