I was really hoping to learn to do research and go to a medical school that would help me grow in that regard. The problem is despite all of my efforts, I still have no research experience. It seems like there is always someone with more experience just as eager as I am to get a position and I am always passed up. I am applying to medical school this week due to an expiring MCAT score. Does anyone have any advice or reassuring information?
No research experience, but want to do research
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Your public IS school/s will have students without research experience.
It does vary by state, though. Did you check the MSAR?
It does vary by state, though. Did you check the MSAR?
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I had absolutely zero research when I matriculated and didn't have any trouble at all getting involved in research projects at my medical school. Plenty of my classmates had very similar experiences. I don't think you need to have pre-med research in order to be able to get in on projects at whatever medical school you land at. Everyone I know who wanted to do research did research.
Are you asking about doing research in medical school or in general/between now and then? In general, I can say that it's a numbers game from the applicant's perspective. It's kind of like getting a date for a guy. You'll get rejected but every now and then, you'll get a bite. If I interview a few undergraduates for a position, I'm going to take the one with the most relevant experience and/or the most motivated/passionate. If you aren't experienced, then you need to make up for it with passion. Why do you enjoy the research I'm doing? Why do you want to do it? Are you familiar with the recent literature we work with on a daily basis? Do you show initiative and creativity in solving problems? If you can check all of those boxes and get it across, you put yourself in a great position even without research experience in the past. We realize that everybody has to start somewhere. But it's hard to justify taking on an undergraduate who we have to teach everything compared to another undergraduate who can hit the ground running and be productive on our projects unless there's another compelling thing setting the former apart. That's why that "other stuff" is essential for tipping the balance in your direction.
I'm in Boston.
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10% of the matriculants at U MA had no research...
Thanks for your thoughtful and motivating response and for all of the helpful information. Right now, I guess I'm putting my mind to work deciding how to be "passionate" and to show passion without coming across as a know-it-all. I guess I can say that I've had a deep interest in what they are researching for a long time. For example, I have studied and wondered about X on my own time (not due to any assignment or job), and have become even more interested over time. Blah blah... An additional obstacle I'm finding at hospitals around here is that HR does the screening and eliminates all applicants without biology or science BS's for most research positions. I have tried emailing PI's directly, but have heard that they have to go through HR by policy at least at MGH and possibly other Partners Hospitals which are the main ones around here. Tufts, the VA, and Boston Medical might be exceptions. I haven't looked into their policies yet.
