Even worth it to apply for Summer Research?

[KTownGT]

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MDAPPS is under my username for GPA/ECs.

I received an email the other day from my adviser about the MD Anderson Cancer research opportunity this Summer. I was wondering if I should even waste my time in applying?

Link: www.Cancerpreventiontraining.org

My cGPA is about 3.3 with Summer school, and my sGPA is just over 3.05. This past semester I was able to earn a 3.80(A's in three upper level science classes). My sGPA is so low due to awful Gen Chem I and II grades.

I believe it would be a fantastic opportunity to gain some valuable research experience and to pursue a very interesting topic but fear my previous academic achievement(or lack thereof) would hold me back.

The requirements are very vague, but I would not have much problem in getting a fairly strong LORs and a PS/CV if that helps much.

Any help or advice would be great. Thanks guys.

 

[Salient]

Why not? I bet it's less competitive than medical school is, and it'll help your application if you get selected.

 

[Ansar]

If it's not too long, def. give it a shot.

You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.

 

[Whiteshoes]

I applied for the Md anderson summer research position towards the end of my sophomore yr. I did not get accepted. Had a 3.95 cGpa and a 3.97 sGpa had strong lors and what i believed to be a pretty good personal statement at the time. I did NOT have any research exp. however. I thought it would be a great way to gain valuable research experience as well but it didnt work out for me. I was probably not as qualified as those people that had research exp + good Gpa. I did find research with in my university past fall & this spring so i dont care for those programs any more. Just giving you my application exp from last summer. Good luck

 

[Gunneria]

summer research opportunities go like this:

1. higher prestige programs (top universities) are pretty legit
2. At the same time, your objective is to find research you like and the PI who pushes the most pubs/posters etc...so you can take something tangible from it and feel rewarded

 

[NickNaylor]

Agree with the above in that you have nothing to lose. I applied to a program for the summer after my freshman year and had no expectations of getting in. I ended up doing so and it was the best thing that happened to me during undergrad. Unlike medical school, summer programs are free to apply to...

Just put the work in and maybe good things will come of it.

 

[KTownGT]

Thanks for the info guys. Guess I'll give it a shot and see what happens.