Finding Research Problem

[ucsbbio]

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Hey Guys. So I am three days into the school year and have talked to four professors about working in their lab and haven't got anything yet because their "labs are full". Im at a smaller school so their isn't a ton of med-research going on. I have looked outside my department too and am starting to email profs who's research interest me. Heres the thing. I feel like im being told that their labs are full because they know im a sophomore which here means that I havent completed the intro bio course. Any thoughts? Advice on finding research?

Thanks

 

[TjChamp]

Are you emailing them or are you going into their office hours? I'd suggest walking into their office hours knowing as much as you can about their research and tell them everything you know and ask if you can help. Thats what I did and it worked. (more personal than the email from the random person you don't know).. OR you can take the indirect approach.. go into their office and ask them about a class they teach and act like you wanted info on the class.. Then come back later and hit them with the research request.. then at least they'll know your face.. well thats just some ideas. Hopefully it helps!

 

[IvyHopeful20]

1. Research doesn't have to be med related to be useful for medical school. Most of my interviewers have been impressed with my non-med related research because it's interesting and unique compared to everyone else's generic 'I once ran 834 gels in one day'. Hell my most talked about research project had nothing to do with biology, let alone medicine or health care. We talked about that much more even though I have a lot more biology research.
2. You're going to be a PCR-boy anyway for many of the 'med related' research, so it might be better for you to try something else and become really good at it and develop an interest - you may get more publishes, more responsibility and much more enjoyment out of it.
3. Tell them you will work for free. That's what I did. I worked for free for a few months and then they offered me a paying position.

 

[songbird]

Hey Guys. So I am three days into the school year and have talked to four professors about working in their lab and haven't got anything yet because their "labs are full". Im at a smaller school so their isn't a ton of med-research going on. I have looked outside my department too and am starting to email profs who's research interest me. Heres the thing. I feel like im being told that their labs are full because they know im a sophomore which here means that I havent completed the intro bio course. Any thoughts? Advice on finding research?

Thanks

In addition to the advice already offered . . . I emailed a bunch of professors at my school before the semester began, and heard back from only one person. And then, once the semester began, I re-sent a bunch of emails and got a better response, because things had calmed down a bit. I would say that persistence is very important, and YES, offer to work for free, and make sure they know that.

Also, why don't you ask some of your classmates, and find out which professors might be easy to talk to -- you might get some information about who is looking for undergrads to work, even if you start up a conversation with a professor who can't accommodate you.