Research Exp.

[astronomical]

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Granted that an applicant has strong grades, MCAT, Volunteer/Clinical experience, but without research/lab experience, is it likely for an applicant to get into a top 25 MD school?

I've spoke with a MD student last year and all that was really said was "research is a plus or minus".

Honestly, I'm not sure if I'm interested in research, but I have been looking around and it's quite difficult to get one. How would one go about asking a Professor to work in his/her lab?

 

[HesyRa]

I have done quite a bit of research at both the undergraduate and graduate level. Attaining a research position really is as easy as sticking out your hand and asking multiple professors. When I first went about this I inquired about the possibility of doing some research with 4 professors that I had known for at least a semester or two. Two of the four said that they would be delighted to figure out a position where I could be of some help in their research. You may have to do some grunt work for the first few months, but that is just your hazing period to see if you'll actually stick with it.

So, be bold and be confident in your intelligence and abilities. Someone will for sure take you on as a student research assistant.

Best of luck. If you'd like more information on my experience, I'd be happy to chat. Feel free to PM me.

 

[MedWonk]

Granted that an applicant has strong grades, MCAT, Volunteer/Clinical experience, but without research/lab experience, is it likely for an applicant to get into a top 25 MD school?

I've spoke with a MD student last year and all that was really said was "research is a plus or minus".

Honestly, I'm not sure if I'm interested in research, but I have been looking around and it's quite difficult to get one. How would one go about asking a Professor to work in his/her lab?

Look up what research the prof has done, then read a couple of their articles. Don't worry if you don't totally understand the content, just get an idea of what they're doing. Express an interest in whatever research the prof is doing, and if he's got a spot in his lab, he might invite you in. Rinse and repeat for several profs. Volunteering your time at a lab is easier to get than a paid gig. Be aware, though, that you'll likely have to devote a significant amount of time in the lab if you want to do more than be the autoclave slave. If you're willing/able to devote at least 25 hours/week to working for free, then go for it.

 

[TriagePreMed]

Look up what research the prof has done, then read a couple of their articles. Don't worry if you don't totally understand the content, just get an idea of what they're doing. Express an interest in whatever research the prof is doing, and if he's got a spot in his lab, he might invite you in. Rinse and repeat for several profs. Volunteering your time at a lab is easier to get than a paid gig. Be aware, though, that you'll likely have to devote a significant amount of time in the lab if you want to do more than be the autoclave slave. If you're willing/able to devote at least 25 hours/week to working for free, then go for it.

This is true. In fact, if you do well, you might end up with a paid gig, which is what happened to me.

Sent from my SCH-R910 using SDN Mobile

 

[astronomical]

Thanks guys! Can it be a random Professor? When it comes to research/lab work, does it have to more on the biology/chemistry side of research? What if it's Physics?

 

[HesyRa]

Look up what research the prof has done, then read a couple of their articles.

This is definitely good advice. I'm sure that your school's library system has access to plenty of online journal databases.

 

[MedWonk]

Thanks guys! Can it be a random Professor? When it comes to research/lab work, does it have to more on the biology/chemistry side of research? What if it's Physics?

Word is that it doesn't really matter what field it's in, so long as it's bona fide research. It could be research into contacts between Portuguese missionaries and the indigenous Ainu population of Hokkaido in late 15th/early 16th century Japan and it would still count.