Research for non-student?

[notdeadyet]

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I'm a 32 year old applicant who graduated with solid grades in a non-science undergrad back in 1994. I'm taking my science pre-reqs now, doing well, and hope to be in my post-bac program full time in the fall. I'm also volunteering in the ER at my local hospital.

The one area my application totally lacks is research. Does ANYONE have any recommendations for how this can be accomplished independently? I realize the way to go about it is pretty clear when you're a full time college student, but what of those who only attend part-time?

Is it possible to do volunteer research part-time when you aren't affiliated with any school?

Much appreciated...

 

[Skialta]

I had the same problem, I asked around while doing ochem and ended up on a large research project in the ER of a teaching hospital. There were many undergrad students who were doing it for credit. I talked to the PI an ER doc and explained the situation, it worked out great and I received a strong letter of recommendation from him. Ask around. Good Luck!

Skialta MS2

 

[dr.z]

Research isn't absolutely necessary, but it's good experience to have. If there are any hospitals with research institution or research university, I would goto each lab and talk to principal investigators of the lab.

 

[Supernova]

where are you located?

 

[Law2Doc]

I'm a 32 year old applicant who graduated with solid grades in a non-science undergrad back in 1994. I'm taking my science pre-reqs now, doing well, and hope to be in my post-bac program full time in the fall. I'm also volunteering in the ER at my local hospital.

The one area my application totally lacks is research. Does ANYONE have any recommendations for how this can be accomplished independently? I realize the way to go about it is pretty clear when you're a full time college student, but what of those who only attend part-time?

Is it possible to do volunteer research part-time when you aren't affiliated with any school?

Much appreciated...

Is the hospital you are working at a major hospital or affiliated with academia (or is there one in the area)? If so, there is usually a hospital research coordinator (titles vary but the role is the same) who can put you in touch with staff physicians and residents who are doing research and need help. In a hospital setting this will often be clinical research rather than laboratory research, you will likely be working with medical records, questionaires and the like, and applying statistical analysis to the data, rather than test tubes. In such situation you can definitely do volunteer research part time without any affiliation, but bear in mind that usually the fewer hours you can commit, the less glamorous your role in the project, and the less likelihood you can earn a good LOR, get included on any papers, etc.

 

[notdeadyet]

where are you located?

San Francisco.

Is the hospital you are working at a major hospital or affiliated with academia (or is there one in the area)? If so, there is usually a hospital research coordinator (titles vary but the role is the same) who can put you in touch with staff physicians and residents who are doing research and need help.

I've only just started out, and it's a lowly volunteer, but it's San Francisco General Hospital, which is affiliated with UCSF. Both institutions are pretty massive, where would the hospital research coordinator be? Meaning, is this person affiliated with one of the wards, HR, etc.?

In a hospital setting this will often be clinical research rather than laboratory research, you will likely be working with medical records, questionaires and the like, and applying statistical analysis to the data, rather than test tubes.

Do AdComs have a preference between clinical vs. laboratory research? I would enjoy both, so I don't mind which. My background in the sciences is labs attached to my chemistry classes. Is clinical work seen as less impressive?

In such situation you can definitely do volunteer research part time without any affiliation, but bear in mind that usually the fewer hours you can commit, the less glamorous your role in the project, and the less likelihood you can earn a good LOR, get included on any papers, etc.

What is a good number of hours to volunteer? I will be working 8 hours per week in the volunteer program already in the Fall, plus will have Bio/OChem/Physics and next year's MCAT to prep for. Is volunteering 8 hours per weeks considered too week for a LOR and resume experience?

Last question: I'll have plenty of volunteer time with SFGH by the time I apply, and due to its affiliation with UCSF, I'd say they have no shortage of med students and pre-meds looking to get into research projects. Would it make sense to try to hook up with the research coordinator of a smaller hospital, or is Bigger Is Better the way with research opportunities?

Thanks for all this advice.

 

[alphagal]

😉

 

[notdeadyet]

I work in an immunology lab (not clinical) near SF and I would be happy to talk to you about volunteer opportunities. E-mail me if you are interested.

Will do. Thanks again...