My interests lie in (POSSIBLY) pursuing a joint MD/PhD degree. I graduate HS this May and want to get involved in a lab, in addition to doing some hospital volunteer work. The impression that I've been given over SDN is that some labs do not require you to have any previous knowledge (they train you), while others may require you to have taken General Chemistry, etc. I could use some guidance. Thanks in advance. 🙂
How to search for labs?
- Thread starter Xe54
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A lot of it depends on where you go. Talk to older students, professors, and advisers there to see what they say. If you're going to a larger school, look up some of the areas of research and email the professor to say you are interested in working in the lab and see what he or she says about it. It definitely helps to have some knowledge going into lab work so you can actually understand what you're doing, but I don't think it's absolutely a must-have. A lot of the research is complicated and specialized anyway so you learn a lot "on the job".
I'd look into volunteering during your freshman year. That's probably more beneficial at that point, but you can always work in a lab and volunteer.
I'd look into volunteering during your freshman year. That's probably more beneficial at that point, but you can always work in a lab and volunteer.
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Your first year is probably not the best year to jump into a lab. Do some volunteering and take some basic college level science courses. Mention to your professors that you are interested in working in a lab. Toward the end of the year you can email or approach some professors on campus and tell them you are interested in their work and would like to participate in their lab. See how it goes. You could also talk to the pre-med adviser at your school and see if he/she has any school-specific suggestions for research. Good luck!
