Is it possible to get into summer research programs with no prior research experience

[Stroganoff]

I'm currently at a school with very few research opportunities for undergrads but NEED to get some experience over the summer.

I'd like to apply to the NIH program (my top choice), as well as some different ones at Penn State, Harvard/MIT HST and anywhere else I can apply. Don't misunderstand me here, I don't care about prestige--anything is better than nothing here and I'll apply to many programs fo' sho'. I just don't want to do the traditional basic science research.

Although I don't have any bench experience currently, by summer 2006 (the summer I want the research position), I'll have completed the following BCPM classes:

Biology:
Cell Biology
Anatomy & Physiology I & II w/ labs (undergrad level w/ a lot of nursing majors)
Microbiology (w/ lab)
Immunology
Genetics (w/ lab)

Chemistry:
General Chemistry I & II w/ labs
Organic Chemistry I & II w/ labs
maybe biochemistry

Math:
Calculus I, II, III
Differential Equations
Linear Algebra

Physics:
General Physics I & II (calc based w/ labs)

I have some C++ and Java experience at the college level but not much else. I'd really love to go into something involving biomedical imaging (MRI or ultrasound stuff), possibly tissue/nerve engineering, drug delivery, and especially nanomedicine.

I'm just concerned about what to put on the application in sections describing my research. I'll be honest and say none, but I'm curious as to how competitive some of these programs are. I'd really like to get some research done in summer 2006 before I transfer to another school to finish my degree.

Thanks!

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Edit: I kinda came off as a worried gunner, so I'll clarify. I had some evil grades starting out in school, so my GPA is below a 3.0 right now. I spent 2 years at my first school, did a semester at my local school, then a semester at the original school, and now I'm back at my local state school for the next 2 years taking (and getting A's) pre-reqs...then transferring somewhere else in fall 2006 for undergrad years 6-7 to finish my degree.

I'm only concerned that my GPA sucks right now and I have no research experience. It should be over 3.0 by the time I apply for summer internships, and I might be able to do some super basic biology research at my current school to beef up my application.

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[SanDiegoSOD]

Yes, it is possible; in fact, some summer research programs are specifically for those without research experience. Check out this link to explore different summer research options: http://www.aamc.org/members/great/summerlinks.htm
Good luck, and remember that research is neither required nor very impressive when done in the short term (e.g. summer research)

 

[AznDoc]

It might help to get started in a lab at a hospital and get some experience there. Because I live so close to Pfizer, I spent two summers cleaning out animal cages for the VetMed people (not glamorous by any stretch of the imagination). However, it eventually led to me getting a summer lab position with a Harvard Ph.D and this summer I am a research intern. I am personally led to believe that private industry pays a whole lot more than a University or Government based student-research program, while the research experience you get will probably be the same. To an extent it is also networking and making connections with people up top so that they are more inclined to let you back the next summer. Good luck.

 

[latinfridley]

Yes, it is possible; in fact, some summer research programs are specifically for those without research experience. Check out this link to explore different summer research options: http://www.aamc.org/members/great/summerlinks.htm
Good luck, and remember that research is neither required nor very impressive when done in the short term (e.g. summer research)

research in the short term is however a good experience to have. key to doing summer research and having a great time is to go to a univ or med school thats in a city where u would wanna live or go on vacation at. i had one of my greatest times in college doing summer research in a beach town.

 

[cornell2004]

I got into the Howard Hughes Summer Research program at NYU without any research experience.

 

[LDubs]

Wow! This post is beyond ancient but here go my question(s).

My case is little different here. I want to get involved in clinical research. In the summer between my junior and senior year in high school, I did lab work at a Neurobiology lab and did not enjoy it as much as I wish I had (I didn't mind working on the rats, but the lack of person-to-person contact over ten+ weeks was driving me nuts).

I'll definitely check out the website that was posted above later on today but I just wanted to hear others' opinions: What steps should I take to start getting involved in a clinical research project?

So far, I've looked at my college's research website (plethora of info there) and plan to contact a part-time med school professor who's an OBGYN working on a pretty interesting project. I'm kind of fearful she won't want me because my background is not heavily science-based. (FYI: I'm taking most of my pre-med reqs in a post-bac program after I graduate from school. I'm a senior)

I'm a humanities major (Ethnic Studies) and am currently completing a fellowship involving humanities-based research (year-long). But most, if not all, medical schools would probably want to see me have some level of undergraduate research experience in either the basic sciences or clinical-related. Where should go from here? Any advice is appreciated!

 

[BigRedder]

A) You are correct that medical schools would like some basic science and/or clinical research experience. Most importantly, they want to see patient interaction. Clearly do have some basic science research experience. That summer counts for something, at the very least it will help you to get more experience.
B) Most of the work you will be doing in clinical research will have very little to do with science. In fact, it will predominantly be a lot of paperwork, and patient interviews if you are lucky. Those are two tasks that humanities majors are at least as qualified to perform as science majors.
C) Depending on the time commitment for your post-bac, I would try to find a job that you can do concurrently, at least part time, that involves patient contact. If you are in a post-bac program already, they may have connections with physicians or hospital programs. Check with them.