Research

[Philoguru]

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I apologize in advance. I'm pretty new at this pre-med thing. I see a lot of you mentioning research experience. Just how did you guys get involved in research? What kind of research? Can only science majors do research? Do I need that on my applications?

Thanks for any help!!!

[This message has been edited by Philoguru (edited 12-08-2000).]

 

[Dr JPH]

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"

 

[B-Don]

Hi there.
I just received a research position at my state medical school. I am a Political Science major and have barely started my prereqs. All I did was inquire about my schools Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program. If your school doesn't have one or something similar, I would suggest doing what the above poster has advised.

Aside from the research, I have been offered an opportunity to shadow a physician and get a couple publications as well as some rec letters. However, it is a lot of work but I would highly reccomend it. Good luck!

 

[Philoguru]

Thank you both for taking the time to reply! I will do my best to get involved somehow. I, too, am shadowing at the university hospital (in the e.r.) and volunteer a great deal at the children's hospital, but research sounds pretty cool.

Thanks!

 

[lilycat]

I was an English major and did research for two years in an Anesthesiology lab -- it was a great experience, and while I don't think it was a "make or break" experience for my applications, I think the experience helped prove my interest, esp. as a non-science major. I would call around to the different offices in disciplines that you might be interested in -- the secretaries could probably give you some info. on what the doctors in that division work on, and their email addresses to contact them personally. Almost everyone gladly accepts free labor.

 

[tristate]

I took advantage of summer undergraduate research programs. They are at most medical centers.

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And the blessings just keep coming!

 

[incrediblexman]

I will second what lilycat said. Free labor is quite welcome. You can contact physicians directly offering your time and energy on whatever clinical projects they may have. If you truly help them out, some amazing opportunities/connections can present themselves, not to mention really good recs.