Research

[BKelly734]

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Hey everyone,
I have some questions regarding research that I hope some of you can answer. I'm graduating in a month with a 3.15 GPA. I am beginning a Master's program beginning at the end of August. This is a non-thesis program. Has anyone done post-bac research at their school during a program when its not required? Like for me, I would like to do research with a prof even though my program is non-thesis. Is this unorthodox? I'm thinking about emailing professors at my new school, asking if there is a a need anywhere for an assistant or anything. Seeing as this is a new school for me, I want to make sure this isn't an odd request before I start asking people. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks Again,
BKelly

 

[UCLAzy]

not unorthodox. but it also won't help if your GPA is that low. only do it if you can manage 4.o

 

[BKelly734]

bump

 

[doc toothache]

You didn't choose to do a Master's program with some of the professors, but you want to ask them if you could do research with them?

 

[BKelly734]

My program is a non-thesis Masters of Science in Physiology at a very large state school. No research required, but I would still like to improve my extra-curricular activities as much as I can in the next year. I already did a semester of undergrad research. Idk I just want to do as much as I can, should I shadow instead? Volunteer more? Maybe TA and make a little money? Any suggestions? My new school is OOS for me, so I will be going to the school with no knowledge of anything really. Thanks Again.

 

[doc toothache]

My program is a non-thesis Masters of Science in Physiology at a very large state school. No research required, but I would still like to improve my extra-curricular activities as much as I can in the next year. I already did a semester of undergrad research. Idk I just want to do as much as I can, should I shadow instead? Volunteer more? Maybe TA and make a little money? Any suggestions? My new school is OOS for me, so I will be going to the school with no knowledge of anything really. Thanks Again.

Your ECs are not going to contribute one iota to your gpa deficiency.

 

[crax]

As stated above (which isnt answering your question) you want to make SURE you can handle the courseload of your program, and really get as close to a 4.0 as possible. I did research within the chemistry field, and it was very time demanding. Expected about 15 hours a week, it didnt matter if i had an exam because i would still have to go in and do a reaction and make sure my product was not sitting there undergoing side reactions.

I wouldnt imagine it to be weird emailing professors asking if they have any availabilities for a researcher in their lab. You need to decide yourself whether you want to do it for credit (4, or 2?), or just volunteer, help and and learn there.

-In my university, most professors had their research spots filled over a semester in advance from eager young pre-meds.
-Also, most professors are looking for students who will be around the lab for two years, i.e. accepting sophomores who intend to spend junior&senior year there. Not sure how they will feel about a one year masters program, but check it out.

just to reiterate, it's a big time commitment and i dont imagine you can be too sure of how well you will perform in your courses based on your GPA. I would really focus on your studies, try to get some good LOR's, 100 hours of shadowing different practices/specialties, and enjoy some interesting hobbies/ec's you can speak about during your interviews. (assuming your DAT is good)

 

[BKelly734]

Yeah I understand that. That is why I'm doing post-bac work and a Master's. I'm talking about extra-curriculars right now. Anyone else?

 

[BKelly734]

Thanks crax, finally a productive response. My GPA is low because I struggled in the beginning of my undergrad career. I've maintained a 3.7 for the past year and now realize how much work its gonna take from here on out to maybe get accepted. I think I should be able to handle the load with research, but thanks for the reply!

 

[BKelly734]

Thanks crax for responding to my originial questions! I think I should be able to handle the load with research. My GPA is low because I did very poorly in the beginning of my studies. I've actually maintained a 3.7 for the past year so I'm doing way better. I'm already doing a post-bac and Master's to make up for my GPA as much as I can, which is why I want to do more research (cough, cough, doctoothache). This is also why I'm looking for more ECs. More responses welcome! 🙂

 

[periopocket]

Hey buddy, I graduated undergrad last semester, and hopped into an MS in Microbiology (non-thesis) this semester, with the goal to complete my Masters by this December, as I am reapplying this June. I would suggest doing research in the summer, after you make a smooth transition and find an appropriate adviser (which wasn't as easy as I had thought: the emailing before hand didn't work, wait till you get there and meet people) because most masters programs do not offer many graduate level courses in the summer, so it would be a good time to do it. I am doing 6 credits of research on the biomechanics of squirrel teeth chattering, and the impact it has on their teeth. Once again, I want to emphasize that Masters are more difficult than undergrad, regardless of what people say on this site, I am working around the clock, but I also work for a software company within my school which is funding my education. Good luck!!