Is this research

[katiew]

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I am not sure if this is considered real research that would be a good thing to do so I thought I would ask. At a childrens hospital website under the catagory Volunteer Oppertunity, you can apply to be a Immunology Research Volunteer. Sorry if this seems like a dumb question but I really have no idea if I should do this. I want to do research so all responses would be greatly appreciated.

 

[reddirtgirl]

I am not sure if this is considered real research that would be a good thing to do so I thought I would ask. At a childrens hospital website under the catagory Volunteer Oppertunity, you can apply to be a Immunology Research Volunteer. Sorry if this seems like a dumb question but I really have no idea if I should do this. I want to do research so all responses would be greatly appreciated.

you might want to post the job description... there's no way to tell from the title

 

[katiew]

SUMMARY:
Assist the scientific staff with general laboratory work and participation in research projects.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Maintain the laboratory
Help science staff in making solutions
Help with literature searches
Order/Pick-up science articles at Burlew Library


it says there is an academic bonus for a few schools.

 

[Law2Doc]

SUMMARY:
Assist the scientific staff with general laboratory work and participation in research projects.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Maintain the laboratory
Help science staff in making solutions
Help with literature searches
Order/Pick-up science articles at Burlew Library


it says there is an academic bonus for a few schools.

It doesn't sound like a whole lot of fun from the description, and I doubt it's the kind of thing that will net you a publication credit unless you can significantly expand your duties, but I guess technically it is "research", and can probably get you a LOR or two. You will want to see if people in the lab might let you get more involved in the real stuff in time, so you have something a bit more substantial to describe in your applications/interviews, though.

 

[javert]

SUMMARY:
Assist the scientific staff with general laboratory work and participation in research projects.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Maintain the laboratory
Help science staff in making solutions
Help with literature searches
Order/Pick-up science articles at Burlew Library


it says there is an academic bonus for a few schools.

Well, you'd be working in a laboratory, but you'd be doing scutwork. And this is a volunteer position??? I wouldn't do this for free; you can find similar jobs in virtually any laboratory and make at least a little over minimum wage.

If you don't have any connections with researchers, taking a position like this can help to get your foot in the door and can eventually lead to you having your own project and doing research (though you should always ask researchers about this before joining a lab), but I wouldn't do a job like the one you described for free!

 

[katiew]

Thanks so much for your replies. Ill check into research at the hospital that I volunteer in the er at first. I know a lot of people there so ill have to ask around. Thanks again.

 

[reddirtgirl]

SUMMARY:
it says there is an academic bonus for a few schools.

???

Javert is right. Chances are you can find simlar scut that at least pays.

Also keep in mind prospects for ltrs of recommendations.

 

[katiew]

Academic Bonus:
Will provide academic credit at Santa Ana Community College, UCI, Chapman, Fullerton and Long Beach College.

 

[reddirtgirl]

Academic Bonus:
Will provide academic credit at Santa Ana Community College, UCI, Chapman, Fullerton and Long Beach College.

if is an actual grade (a,b,c; not pass/fail) it could be worth it. Easy A?

not sure if it qualifies for B/C/P/M but it'd be great it if did.

 

[cheapdate]

Academic Bonus:
Will provide academic credit at Santa Ana Community College, UCI, Chapman, Fullerton and Long Beach College.

I'd consider it research when you can produce enough data to co-author, 2nd authored, or 1st author on a paper. From my own personal experience, don't call it your research unless you know it inside-out and have contributions that will be published. Admission committee grilled me on my research, my role, my results, blah blah blah... and any stuff they can pull out of their butts that is remotely related to my research.

 

[Law2Doc]

I'd consider it research when you can produce enough data to co-author, 2nd authored, or 1st author on a paper. From my own personal experience, don't call it your research unless you know it inside-out and have contributions that will be published. Admission committee grilled me on my research, my role, my results, blah blah blah... and any stuff they can pull out of their butts that is remotely related to my research.

While your post is certainly true for MD/PhD type candidates, most premeds don't even get published, and even for those that do, very few get to be first or second author. Yet most are able to find an EC which constitutes "research" satisfactory to med schools which consider research experience in an applicant desirable. In such situations, as long as you can explain the research project and your role in it to adcoms, you are fine.