Coursework Before Applying for Research

[Silverfalcon]

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Hi,

I really have no idea if this matters at all, so I wanted to ask here. I'm planning to apply to summer research positions for undergrad next year (so like January-February-March, depending on the deadlines). I know that many research positions ask for transcripts to see the coursework that the student had.

At this point, I was thinking about postponing Biochemistry until my senior year's spring semester because I felt like I would be better prepared for it then (that's supposedly the hardest course at my school). But I wasn't sure if my chances for summer research position would matter (if any) if I had Biochemistry as one of the courses for spring semester?

Maybe I'm being a little crazy, but I am just nervous since I heard some research positions during summer are extremely competitive, even for those who had research experiences in past (I didn't... well, just in the courses).

 

[UpQuark]

Lets see. I got into the University of Cincinnati SURF program as a Freshman with what I would consider courses and experiences (Gen Bio, Gen Chem, Calc and no sophomore level bio courses) with about one quarter of prior research experience (this was AFTER I sent in the application - I just noted that I will be doing research shortly, luckily my PI helped me get the position).

Another thing that might help you (if you consider UC-SURF), is to directly contact potential PIs at UC Medical School or Cincinnati Children's Medical Center (they're heavily involved in research and the SURF program) and talk to them about your position and your interest in the SURF program. Fill your application out (As soon as it opens - seats are given out on a rolling basis!), and provide PI details if you're successful (give it a shot) and they'll contact the PI. Additionally, priority is given to upperclassman so you might get lucky there.

Don't dismiss UC because you've never heard of the name ... its ranked 40 in research among medical schools (better than other well known schools) and is a top 20 public research university. This summer we had about ~160 SURF students in different programs (SURF-Neuroscience, RGE SURF, SURF PSTP etc) from all over the UC - even had kids come in from Cali, Oregon, Duke, Cornell, MIT, Wash U, and Harvard.

The only drawback for you is your research experience, as you have mentioned. The program is extremely fast paced - you have 2 months to work on a project and assemble a poster and present it, so you might be slowed down with your lack of familiarity with lab techniques and procedures.

Hope this helps and give it a shot... out of 600 applicants you could be one of those chosen.

 

[Silverfalcon]

Lets see. I got into the University of Cincinnati SURF program as a Freshman with what I would consider courses and experiences (Gen Bio, Gen Chem, Calc and no sophomore level bio courses) with about one quarter of prior research experience (this was AFTER I sent in the application - I just noted that I will be doing research shortly, luckily my PI helped me get the position).

Another thing that might help you (if you consider UC-SURF), is to directly contact potential PIs at UC Medical School or Cincinnati Children's Medical Center (they're heavily involved in research and the SURF program) and talk to them about your position and your interest in the SURF program. Fill your application out (As soon as it opens - seats are given out on a rolling basis!), and provide PI details if you're successful (give it a shot) and they'll contact the PI. Additionally, priority is given to upperclassman so you might get lucky there.

Don't dismiss UC because you've never heard of the name ... its ranked 40 in research among medical schools (better than other well known schools) and is a top 20 public research university. This summer we had about ~160 SURF students in different programs (SURF-Neuroscience, RGE SURF, SURF PSTP etc) from all over the UC - even had kids come in from Cali, Oregon, Duke, Cornell, MIT, Wash U, and Harvard.

The only drawback for you is your research experience, as you have mentioned. The program is extremely fast paced - you have 2 months to work on a project and assemble a poster and present it, so you might be slowed down with your lack of familiarity with lab techniques and procedures.

Hope this helps and give it a shot... out of 600 applicants you could be one of those chosen.

ASPET UC is actually one of my top choices, so this is actually very helpful. Just wondering, when you mean to contact PI, how do you exactly go about that? I wasn't quite sure about directly contacting professors in other schools for lab positions.

I guess I'll have to explain my experience a bit further. When I said that I have no research experience, I mean no "real research" experience - that is, during summer. I did, however, present posters in two instances (once in Freshman year for cell biology workshop and another in analytical chemistry last fall).

Also, can you apply to more than one program at UC? If ASPET is too difficult (it takes like 10 students), then I want to consider applying to Neuroscience one as well.

 

[ucsfstudents]

You don't need biochemistry to apply for a research position as a college student. You can learn on the job. A background in biology, chemistry, and biotechnology techniques would be helpful. Some people start as freshman and become more active in their research lab as their fund of knowledge improves as they take more classes. Either way, you will learn about lab specific protocols on your job. the theory behind those protocols is what you will get in your classes, or in the textbooks and people in your lab.

 

[UpQuark]

ASPET UC is actually one of my top choices, so this is actually very helpful. Just wondering, when you mean to contact PI, how do you exactly go about that? I wasn't quite sure about directly contacting professors in other schools for lab positions.

I guess I'll have to explain my experience a bit further. When I said that I have no research experience, I mean no "real research" experience - that is, during summer. I did, however, present posters in two instances (once in Freshman year for cell biology workshop and another in analytical chemistry last fall).

Also, can you apply to more than one program at UC? If ASPET is too difficult (it takes like 10 students), then I want to consider applying to Neuroscience one as well.

Here's the link to the College of Medicine Research department: http://www.med.research.uc.edu/ Just browse around specific departments and email professors about your situation - it's worth a shot, and if a professor agrees just mention that in the application. (Molecular and Cellular Physiology is a good place to start http://www.med.uc.edu/physiology/default.htm) Also, try contact the SURF coordinators (http://med.uc.edu/surf/).

I honestly doubt you need research experience - you'll start out slow learning the basics but its easy to pick up from there. There were about a dozen freshman this year which I can say had no research experience, however, with the classes you've already taken, I believe you're in good position.

(Don't quote me on this though, it worked for me as I knew my Professor before hand)

Yes, definitely apply to as many as you're interested in. I applied to PSTP, STING, CCHMC and eventually got into Neuroscience. On your app, don't forget to mention the importance of research to your career goals - they like to see more research oriented people.