Research during Post Bacc

[Kb1234]

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I was wondering if participating in a research would be better while still an undergraduate or can I do it while I'm in a post bacc program. Is it easy to get into a research while doing post bacc? and do the post bacc universities offer them? I know my university has a list of all the undergrad research I can currently participated in but I don't know if it's only open to undergraduates but I would assume it would only be for undergraduates.

 

[SeverusSnape]

Hmm well you want to make sure that the research opportunities you're looking at aren't just being a participant, but rather, an active member of a lab. Being a study participant, while rewarding, isn't *quite* what schools like to see.

As far as volunteering while in a PostBac program, I would say it's definitely possible. I certainly have friends conducting research while in my PostBac program, but I think all of them have some research experience in their past which made it easier to segue into researching presently. Things are dependent on your school, situation, and interests of course, but I think it's fair to say that the earlier you get involved in research the better off you'll be.

Best of Luck!

 

[RegisBioMedMS]

Yes, absolutely it is possible during post-bac with some programs, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't do it during UG as well.


Be choosy with what kind of research though, take the time to look over your profile carefully. Do something you are really interested in and that will enhance your application. I'm a fan of the clinical research projects for pre-meds as you get protocol, research and data experience, but also often work with a patient care team. But, depending on your goals, straight bench research with a productive lab might be better.

So, shop around and ask various programs post bac what they offer or build it into a DIY, you want to find a program and location that has the best opportunities for you and your situation.

Do you have time to do a for credit research project in your undergrad? Are you also working to support yourself? If your GPA is low, be sure you are focused on that improvement first and then balance a research opportunity well with your other courses. I wouldn't want you to stretch yourself too thin just to "check off the research box" on your application and have your grades suffer.

 

[Kb1234]

Yes, absolutely it is possible during post-bac with some programs, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't do it during UG as well.


Be choosy with what kind of research though, take the time to look over your profile carefully. Do something you are really interested in and that will enhance your application. I'm a fan of the clinical research projects for pre-meds as you get protocol, research and data experience, but also often work with a patient care team. But, depending on your goals, straight bench research with a productive lab might be better.

So, shop around and ask various programs post bac what they offer or build it into a DIY, you want to find a program and location that has the best opportunities for you and your situation.

Do you have time to do a for credit research project in your undergrad? Are you also working to support yourself? If your GPA is low, be sure you are focused on that improvement first and then balance a research opportunity well with your other courses. I wouldn't want you to stretch yourself too thin just to "check off the research box" on your application and have your grades suffer.

I've been looking into summer research programs since I can't do the ones that last a year, I have a job & I do volunteer work at other places. I'm leaning towards social sciences based programs since I'm majoring in psychology.I came across a few and I'm not sure if I need to have a question or a topic I want to answer/investigate in order to be accepted into that research program or they'll prove us with basic concepts and from there we'll formulate our own questions. It takes about doing research for a few weeks then presenting your findings to a committee or something. I know if I wanted to do a research myself I'd have to do everything but since that program already has the professors, the laboratories and people who will help you I'm quite unsure. My university offers two options for undergrad research, you formulate your own question or you take part in one sort of becoming part of the research team investigating a topic. I not sure which one the ones I'm looking into are.

Also, is it better to assist in a research study that's related for my major or one that is more health related since I'm eventually going to medical school? I'm sure I can find one that would interest me I both areas