How much does GPA matter for undergrad research position?

[boba96]

Does your GPA have a heavy weight on whether you will be accepted into a research lab (specifically a bio/health science lab? I will be a 2nd year in the fall and I currently have a 3.76 GPA. However, I got a B+ in Chem 2, a B in Chem 3, and a B in Multivariable Calculus ( I am afraid they will look into these science/math grades). I also got a NP in a 1 unit P/NP class (However, I am retaking the 1 unit class and I'm not sure if receiving a P will erase the NP from my transcript). I am really afraid that I won't get accepted because people who are in research labs, from what I have heard are those with practically straight A's! Also, I have zero research experience and have not been involved in campus during my 1st year. What are my chances? I would greatly appreciate any insights I can get please!

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[efle]

It matters essentially none. You are free labor expected to do mostly grunt work, probably to make a grad student's life easier. Don't sweat having a few B's.

 

[WedgeDawg]

In my experience, essentially 0, unless you're applying to a program outside your school (like NIH or St. Jude's or something), in which case it can make more of a difference.

Edit: Ninja'd

 

[GrapesofRath]

If you aren't asked to provide a transcript(and very few unpaid lab positions will ever ask for one and frankly many paid lab opportunities won't either) it is not very relevant.

To provide more insight many summer fellowship programs often have a 3.0 limit. What you'll find at these SURP type programs is that many people who get in have connections with faculty or the lab they have been working with them can put in a solid word for them which gets them the fellowship as long as their GPA is above 3.0 ( I won't lie this is how me and how every other person in my lab who was accepted into the summer fellowship in our lab was accepted----I think out of the 40 people in our program it was said only about 1/4 got in without any sort of connection). Alot of these people accepted into the research program through connections did not have great GPAs(think under 3.4). Long story short your GPA isn't really relevant for research opportunities in most situations.

 

[boba96]

If you aren't asked to provide a transcript(and very few unpaid lab positions will ever ask for one and frankly many paid lab opportunities won't either) it is not very relevant.

To provide more insight many summer fellowship programs often have a 3.0 limit. What you'll find at these SURP type programs is that many people who get in have connections with faculty or the lab they have been working with them can put in a solid word for them which gets them the fellowship as long as their GPA is above 3.0 ( I won't lie this is how me and how every other person in my lab who was accepted into the summer fellowship in our lab was accepted----I think out of the 40 people in our program it was said only about 1/4 got in without any sort of connection). Alot of these people accepted into the research program through connections did not have great GPAs(think under 3.4). Long story short your GPA isn't really relevant for research opportunities in most situations.

I believe most of the research labs at my school ask for transcript because they have a minimum GPA requirement (I don't know how else they would verify without transcripts?) So is the biggest factor that will get you in is interest and enthusiasm for the PI's research? Like reading his/her publications beforehand and then talking about them during the interview? Also, will the fact that I have no research experience be a disadvantage? Also, GPA still doesn't matter for those PI's that actually allow students to conduct their own research and possibly publish instead of doing grunt work? Sorry for the many questions but I feel very discouraged due to what people at my university have said.

 

[WedgeDawg]

I believe most of the research labs at my school ask for transcript because they have a minimum GPA requirement (I don't know how else they would verify without transcripts?) So is the biggest factor that will get you in is interest and enthusiasm for the PI's research? Like reading his/her publications beforehand and then talking about them during the interview? Also, will the fact that I have no research experience be a disadvantage? Also, GPA still doesn't matter for those PI's that actually allow students to conduct their own research and possibly publish instead of doing grunt work? Sorry for the many questions but I feel very discouraged due to what people at my university have said.

I doubt your minimum GPA requirement is going to be very high. The biggest factor is going to be whether or not the lab has space for you. If they do, and you're working for free, they'll most likely take you. If there is a lot of competition for that spot (such as in the bigger summer programs), then your cover letter and resume are going to be what get you the interview, and being an engaging and well-read interviewee is going to get you the spot.

If you have no research experience, you're not going to be leading your own project, period. Usually PIs will let their undergrads lead their own research after they've proven themselves to be competent and motivated. You can also be published for doing "grunt work", but likely not as first or second author, as you probably won't have contributed to writing or experimental design at that stage.

 

[GrapesofRath]

I believe most of the research labs at my school ask for transcript because they have a minimum GPA requirement (I don't know how else they would verify without transcripts?) So is the biggest factor that will get you in is interest and enthusiasm for the PI's research? Like reading his/her publications beforehand and then talking about them during the interview? Also, will the fact that I have no research experience be a disadvantage? Also, GPA still doesn't matter for those PI's that actually allow students to conduct their own research and possibly publish instead of doing grunt work? Sorry for the many questions but I feel very discouraged due to what people at my university have said.

This can be school dependent but I'll say this

I interviewed at many research labs throughout my time as an undergrad(probably close to 20 honestly) in trying to find the right spot for me(and I was in 3 labs in college as is). Never once was I asked for a transcript. The only time I needed it was to apply to the summer fellowship program through my lab. None of my friends have ever had to send a transcript to a research position with the exception of one(and that was for a paid position). Bottom line at worst this is very school specific. More likely than not this is not something to worry about. Worst comes to worst there are many PIs who can use free labor and if you sound interested and come across as a decent student you'll be fine.

 

[Goro]

I don't care about your GPA, I care about whether you have your lab hands, and can figure out how to make solutions!

Does your GPA have a heavy weight on whether you will be accepted into a research lab (specifically a bio/health science lab? I will be a 2nd year in the fall and I currently have a 3.76 GPA. However, I got a B+ in Chem 2, a B in Chem 3, and a B in Multivariable Calculus ( I am afraid they will look into these science/math grades). I also got a NP in a 1 unit P/NP class (However, I am retaking the 1 unit class and I'm not sure if receiving a P will erase the NP from my transcript). I am really afraid that I won't get accepted because people who are in research labs, from what I have heard are those with practically straight A's! Also, I have zero research experience and have not been involved in campus during my 1st year. What are my chances? I would greatly appreciate any insights I can get please!

 

[Holmwood]

Your GPA is hardly a problem though, even if the PI had a preference for high GPA. Lol, reign in that neuroticism.

You don't really need ECs/resume if you have no past research experience.

My recommendation is to get really familiar with the PI's past works and be prepared to provide some of your thoughts/perspective. It would be highly beneficial to read up or look up videos on some of the laboratory techniques used in the lab as well (check the methods section). You just have to show that you know what you're getting yourself into, that you're motivated, and that you're capable (or available.. make sure to emphasize that you will work around the demands of the lab).

 

[boba96]

(or available.. make sure to emphasize that you will work around the demands of the lab).

I just applied to a volunteer translator position with a free clinic. If I get accepted to the volunteer position and the research lab would like to know my EC commitments, do you think it would be a disadvantage/ red flag (since I have heard PI's don't want to waste their time on those planning the MD route)? Is my explanation of exploring both the research route and medicine route plausible? Or how should I explain myself?

 

[Holmwood]

I just applied to a volunteer translator position with a free clinic. If I get accepted to the volunteer position and the research lab would like to know my EC commitments, do you think it would be a disadvantage/ red flag (since I have heard PI's don't want to waste their time on those planning the MD route)? Is my explanation of exploring both the research route and medicine route plausible? Or how should I explain myself?

No of course not! Like 80-90% of people who apply to medical schools have some research experience, and not all of them are medically related.

It may be best to tell the PI that your eventual goal is to become a doctor, maybe an academic doctor that does research on the side (no MS nor PhD required). But I don't think it'll affect his judgement of your capacity to do research. Whatever it is, research is not mutually exclusive from medicine. If your PI thinks that way, it's your job to defend the relevance between the two.

 

[Pusheen]

OP, you should be fine. The GPA cutoffs I've usually seen are pretty low, usually a 3.2 or 3.0.

Question, what exactly constitutes undergraduate research for most premeds?

I seem to be doing something very different than most people. I talked to one of my teachers, asked if I could do research over the summer. He said, sure, trained me how to use the equipment I wanted to, provided some background information for my topic of choice, and pretty much set me free in the labs. I'm paid, as well.

I'm not sure if this is better or worse than what other people seem to be doing. I enjoy the independence, but maybe I should be looking into doing more collaborative large-scale projects. I'm not doing anything cutting edge, but I feel it is plenty advanced for an undergrad.

 

[WedgeDawg]

I have heard PI's don't want to waste their time on those planning the MD route

I have never in my life come across this, but there are a million different ways to justify an interest in research if you want to become a physician.

 

[Holmwood]

OP, you should be fine. The GPA cutoffs I've usually seen are pretty low, usually a 3.2 or 3.0.

Question, what exactly constitutes undergraduate research for most premeds?

I seem to be doing something very different than most people. I talked to one of my teachers, asked if I could do research over the summer. He said, sure, trained me how to use the equipment I wanted to, provided some background information for my topic of choice, and pretty much set me free in the labs. I'm paid, as well.

I'm not sure if this is better or worse than what other people seem to be doing. I enjoy the independence, but maybe I should be looking into doing more collaborative large-scale projects. I'm not doing anything cutting edge, but I feel it is plenty advanced for an undergrad.

Well we have the BUILD grant at our school (pretty new) that pays people 10k/year to do research. This involves eventually starting your own projects and presenting in front of some committee.

You're the exception, I think, since rarely will PIs just let people start their own projects out of the blue. Unless you have some spiffy background that you're just not telling us about out of modesty. ;P

 

[Pusheen]

Well we have the BUILD grant at our school (pretty new) that pays people 10k/year to do research. This involves eventually starting your own projects and presenting in front of some committee.

You're the exception, I think, since rarely will PIs just let people start their own projects out of the blue. Unless you have some spiffy background that you're just not telling us about out of modesty. ;P

Haha no, just your average pre-med. I do go to a small school, so maybe it's just super un-competitive (noncompetitive? I was reviewing enzyme inhibition today, so I'm all confused).

I suppose it varies by school/PI