How did you get your research position?

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I have emailed many professors about a research position in their labs and have also sat down with a few, but they all seemed too hesitant about letting a pre-med into their labs. So my question is how did you show the professor that you are genuinely interested in obtaining a position even though you would like to go to med school upon graduation instead graduate school?

 

[Dannyw]

I emailed the professor and my TA recommended me.

 

[Glucagon]

Emailing professors is a great way to start. To show genuine interest, I made sure to to 'research' their research interests -- by reading some of their publications to get a sense of what their aims are. From their I discussed how their research fits into my academic interests, and even though I am pre-med, the research they conduct is somewhat medically related.

 

[Toastayy]

I emailed and then spoke one on one with the professor. I think I got it mainly because he is a little "different" and not a lot of people want to be in his lab.

One comment I can give you is to not let them know your a pre-med, or say that you are still deciding between the MD and PhD track. One thing I have noticed is that researchers are a little wary and maybe even biased about students interested in medicine.

At least that's what my observations have been. Good Luck.

 

[fishbait63]

Is research something you want to do even after medical school? Or are you doing research just to get into med school?

I don't think you should hide the fact that you a pre-med (you will have to ask for LOR in the future and your PI will often ask about your plans). If you have a strong interest in pursuing after medical school that can be something you describe as well.

Your email should be very descriptive, it should have at least three components 1) what research they do... 2) a tidbit of knowledge about subject.... 3) why are you interested in that research
example:
Hello Dr X,
I learned about ras gene in my biology class and became very interested in growth factors... I read about your research on VEGF and would like to ask about the possibly of joining your lab group? Or if that is not possible can you point me in the direction of a lab with an opening?

Have you tried interviewing with MD researchers there might be some in your school?

Have you tried asking the professors/ doctors if you do hospital volunteering? (many of the doctors where I worked were married to professors)

Have you tried asking the pre-med advisor? (they might know which labs have openings and ones friendly to pre-meds because of pass success)

Despite what I see on these forums many labs aren't prejudiced against pre-meds, insteads professors are quite proud of their lab alumni that made it into medical school.

 

[DaisyBuchanan]

My undergrad had a program where you filled out a form saying which classes you had taken and what you were interested in. I did that and I got matched to an ophtho lab, which hired me after graduation and I love it there. I know that not all schools are as helpful when it comes to getting a research position, but definitely look up anyone you're interested in working for on PubMed so you can kiss butt convincingly.

Also, I learned from my PI in my lab that (some) Ph.D.s think MDs are egomaniacs that don't know how to conduct good research 🙄

 

[cbs21]

like everyone else has said, email is the best. even mass emails work.

with that said, don't be so eager to accept the first offer you get. absolutely make sure the lab environment is something you will like. i've been in labs where i was afraid to laugh because some of the other members were so uptight and serious. trust me it sucks. the lab is boring enough as it is so you want a fun group of ppl to work with. i can't stress this enough

 

[sheldon09]

i found email was not the best way to get in touch with profs. most of my profs didnt get back to me or just said no.

i actually contacted TAs who were graduate students from one of my classes and asked them about their research/PIs and if they knew anyone who needed lab hands in their department.

just tell them you are interested in research and why. i was interested in infectious disease research and I had taken a bunch of classes in ID-- so I was able to say why I was interested in doing research. My PI also turned out to be an MD- so you could even try looking for PIs that are MDs- they might be more open.

you might just have to start out doing lab stocking- but you can work your way up to doing actual research.

 

[mwall003]

The way I got into my lab was by having my TA for a molecular biology class (who was already in the research lab) tell the PI I was interested in joining the lab. I followed it up by an e-mail to the PI with my resume then we setup an interview and now I'm doing research. I would be open and honest about your MD ambitions although mentioning you're possibly considering an MD/PH.D track won't hurt. Good luck.

 

[YouNeverKnow22]

I did what you did last yr-emailed every professor at my school b/c I really wanted to do research b/c it "looks good".....I got shut down or no response from everyone....I later found out lab research wasn't my forte (at least not at this point of my career).....so I pursued clinical research opportunities in the area of medicine I was interested in (nsurg) and a year later I'm FINALLY getting to write up a rough draft, these things take time....feel out your interests before diving in.

 

[TFS]

volunteered first, found something that was a good fit between her research and my experience/interests.

 

[cbrons]

I have emailed many professors about a research position in their labs and have also sat down with a few, but they all seemed too hesitant about letting a pre-med into their labs. So my question is how did you show the professor that you are genuinely interested in obtaining a position even though you would like to go to med school upon graduation instead graduate school?

Bother them, keep showing up. Be a man son. Especially if the guy is from an older generation, they respect persistence.

 

[Espadaleader]

I asked my BIO 102 professor to research in her lab. It was really simple because her team consists of three people. Two undergrads and herself. I knew both of them so they "put the word in". Its all about connections.

 

[altered states]

Thanks for the replies guys, I just got a few emails from some of the PI's that I emailed asking me to email them again in the fall. I guess I just have to keep at it, and get more background info on their projects. Looking back at some of my interviews, I wasn't able to relate to their research at all and that's probably what hurt me.

 

[docelh]

Thanks for the replies guys, I just got a few emails from some of the PI's that I emailed asking me to email them again in the fall. I guess I just have to keep at it, and get more background info on their projects. Looking back at some of my interviews, I wasn't able to relate to their research at all and that's probably what hurt me.

If you didn't get any after an interview, then that's actually a problem. Also, people tend to not hire those that they already rejected. It's human psychology.

If you got a medical school nearby, try contacting PIs and labs there.

 

[cbrons]

Also, people tend to not hire those that they already rejected. It's human psychology.

That isn't true at all... persistence is the key to success. I read about it one of them books.

 

[MisterVeil]

That isn't true at all... persistence is the key to success. I read about it one of them books.

I've heard of these mythical objects. I've never read one, so I'm not sure they even exist, and I certainly wouldn't believe something that doesn't exist.

 

[phonyreal98]

My school runs a website where professors can post lab openings. I waited until a professor posted something I'd be interested in and I e-mailed him immediately. I've been helping out with various projects over the past school year, but I'm running my own project this summer/fall!

 

[riverjib]

I have emailed many professors about a research position in their labs and have also sat down with a few, but they all seemed too hesitant about letting a pre-med into their labs. So my question is how did you show the professor that you are genuinely interested in obtaining a position even though you would like to go to med school upon graduation instead graduate school?

Never e-mail. Do your own research. Approach them individually.

 

[bamamedic]

So, I was out drinking with the boss, and she introduced me to one of her former coworkers....we started talking, and he mentioned that he was completely overwhelmed with research at a local hospital. Turns out he is coordinating clinical trials for a couple of physicians.
I raised an eyebrow and said, "you know, I would love to help you with your research". I start Friday...

And they say drinking never gets you anywhere!

😀

 

[Azrie]

I talked to my major advisor and she suggested who to ask. I researched the people she suggested, and ended up meeting one or two of them face-to-face after an email introduction. Eventually I found someone that needed another undergrad student to boss around. (I assume my advisor also put in a good word at some point.)

Mind you, I wasn't pre-med but Microbiology at that point, which might have helped-- I suppose. 😉

 

[RedSoldier]

Emails didn't work well for me 🙁. Try showing up at the PI's office in person if that doesn't scare you too much.

 

[XVivo]

I spoke with one of my biology professors and he recommended me to visit one of the newer faculty who needed lab technicians. I agree that it's better to visit professors since they are less likely to ignore you than if you were to send them an email.

 

[snwbrdr18]

I have emailed many professors about a research position in their labs and have also sat down with a few, but they all seemed too hesitant about letting a pre-med into their labs. So my question is how did you show the professor that you are genuinely interested in obtaining a position even though you would like to go to med school upon graduation instead graduate school?

forget "emailing" a professor. Talk to the professor face to face and show genuine interest in their lab.