Philoguru:
First of all, you do not NEED research on an application to be considered a competitive applicant and you certainly don't need it to get accepted.
Research DOES look good on an application, though.
The way to get involved would be to speak with professors currently conducting science research at your university and simply ask them if you can participate. Many professors are more than willing to allow you to help.
My school allows nearly everyone interested to participate in research. You will need to speak with the department chair as well.
As far as non-science majors doing reasearch, that would probably be up to the department and the professors. I, personally, do not see why it would be a problem, but if there was a limited amount of opportunities I would think that they would go to those who were majoring in science and doing research applicable to their degree.
One last thing...don't do research unless you want to. Certainly don't do it just to help your cause of getting in to medical school. If you do research make sure you enjoy it and are able to speak passionatly and knowledgably about it, because they WILL ask you about it in an interview.
Best of luck to you!
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Joshua Paul Hazelton, CNA, EMT-B
[email protected]
University of the Sciences in Philadelphia (2002)
"D.O. Wannabe"