Research Experience

[birkenbeiner]

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Low Gpa/High Mcat applicant, rejected everywhere this cycle. Starting SMP in August, rewriting my personal statement and applying early. Now I haven't done much this year. And I emailed a prof seeking a VOLUNTEER research position. I wouldnt get any paid position, that's why. Well, I did not even get a reply. I guess I could email other labs (though I was really interested in research at this lab) and some place would eventually take me as a volunteer. Maybe could get a LOR out of this. Obviously without research experience it would not make sense to apply to schools like Pittsburg, Case Western, Sinai (I did not apply to them this cycle, but if I had research I would've), but would it kill my chances at the non-research schools also? Like one of my state schools specifically states that one of the criteria it looks for is research experience (although if you look on pubmed this school sucks at research).

So I could keep begging for research positions, or I could just go on a long cycling trip this May or June or July,etc. Then the only thing I would have on my application is that I applied early and enrolled at the smp. So I don't know what to do. Also I am willing to apply to DO schools this year, but I still want to give my best effort to get into MD schools. And I do have interest in doing research, but my priorities are to not overexert myself.. Like if I had gotten into med school this year, I most certainly would not be volunteering at any lab right now. I'd be doing something fun.

 

[Red Leader]

Just wondering, what is your low gpa/high mcat status? Like how low is low and how high is high?

 

[birkenbeiner]

Just wondering, what is your low gpa/high mcat status? Like how low is low and how high is high?

I got rejected because my application was weak. Gpa/MCAT alone will not reveal anything. It is 3.3<gpa<3.4, 36<Mcat<38. I put research into my EC's but when I applied for research tech positions this winter, I could not find anybody to give me a job. And this Friday I emailed trying to solicit a volunteer research position (just because I was interested in the topic) and still got no reply. So I am basically good for nothing. And I do have a very high self-esteem. Which is why I feel that I deserve to go on a nice vacation instead of trying to make something out of nothing.

 

[mic2377]

dude, try again. it isn't easy to get a position in a lab, much less one that would allow you to do cool research, ie, the kind that allows you to set yourself apart or get published. persistence!

Also, it is not a bad idea to branch to other research labs. you can't be too choosy. during my time at undergrad everybody and their brother wanted to work in a "stem cell lab," because it was cool, easy to brag about, etc.

well, i decided to work in one that had an excellent record of publications and undergrad productivity. the research ended up being alot more fun that I expected, despite initial reservations. And, voila, 1 year later I had a co-author paper in a good journal.

on a side note, it also worked out very well since i will be attending an SMP program this fall, and a collaborator of my previous lab is located at the university where the SMP is.

Good luck on the hunt....