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[flufighter]

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Solved

 

[jg2021]

I have not done any research. I'm not sure exactly how to go about getting any. Would the best way to be to reach out to professors at your university?

I found research by emailing my human phys professor, and when he said his lab was full, I asked for names and emails of colleagues with open labs.

 

[drtribbiani]

I'm in a pretty similar situation as you, and I'm getting a big feeling that I'll be applying without research. I have an otherwise solid app, but this no research thing is making me reallll nervous...

 

[Means]

Honestly your time can be much better spent doing clinical/nonclinical volunteer work than sitting in a research lab.

 

[On_The_Way_Up]

Hey! I was just looking for some advice on what parts of my application I can be improving. It's not really the best as I wasn't really set on medicine until this year, so at this rate a gap year is inevitable. I haven't really been able to get many volunteer hours previously as I was under 18 both my freshman and sophomore years. I'm not really sure if some of the hours I did then would count as well since I was in HS.

Year in school: Junior

• I am a Biomedical Science major. (if it's pertinent)

State of residence: Ohio

Schools to which you are applying:

• None currently, hopefully all of my state schools some day.

Cumulative GPA:

• 3.93

Science GPA:

• Too lazy to calculate it right now 🙁 it's slightly under my cumulative.

MCAT Scores:

• I plan to take it hopefully this August, since I do not think I will have enough ECs at all for this upcoming cycle.

Research:

• I have not done any research. I'm not sure exactly how to go about getting any. Would the best way to be to reach out to professors at your university?

Clinical volunteering:

• ~100 hours at the hospital

Non-clinical volunteering:

• ~60 hours at a community pregnancy center which helped impoverished pregnant woman who are unable to afford US, clothing, equipment, or food.

Extracurricular activities:

• I was on associated student government for a year. We organized campus events such as multicultural events. ~1 year
• I was in a health professions club in which we spoke to kids about stress management tips. ~ 1 year

Employment history:

• ~600 hours as a pharmacy technician
• Current learning assistant for organic chemistry ~ 1 year
• Recently hired ER scribe.

Shadowing experience:

• None currently, planning to shadow orthopedics soon over spring break. Hopefully the volunteer coordinator at the hospital can set up Internal Med, Fam Med, Neurology, and cardiology by then if not I will be calling around.

ORM

Currently, I feel that I need research, more non clinical volunteering, shadowing, and my MCAT soon enough. The one thing I'm unsure of is how to get a research position. I would love to be able to get a clinical research job but I don't think anyone hires with no experiences or a bachelor's. Thank you so much for reading!!! I'm so sorry I'm a hot mess.

Have you gotten to know any of your professors? That is how I got into research. I asked around and one of them hooked me up with a research group. Without any research experience I doubt someone hires you.

And yes definitely get started on shadowing and do more nonclinical volunteering.

 

[lalalallala]

1. do some shadowing - more than just the ortho
2. try to do some research at least over the summer - doesn't have to be years worth - just something to show you are capable
3. the scribing is good - that is good clinical exposure
4. the pregnancy clinic seems good - helping out people who need it - volunteering is very important
5. be sure you are pursuing your passions - do activities you are interested in

 

[TheAverageDoctor]

Look similar to mine. I also didn't decide until Junior year either, along with so many other people. In fact, it's a bit crazy to think that you're deciding at 19-20 on a job you won't even start until you're 30. Medical schools definitely recognize that.

It looks like you've got the right idea so far. Your main goals should definitely be to keep doing well in your courses and develop a good plan for the MCAT. Good grades and a good MCAT help, but they're not always the defining feature.

I'm a strong believer that "research" isn't really about research. Sure, some medical schools will be adamant that you have research experience, and for those it's 100% about research. But for the rest, it's more about showing that you have a passion for something. i.e. You worked with impoverished pregnant women for some time, maybe you went on to do ob/gyn related research and get published 2 years later? That's awesome, but you get the same ooh's and aah's if you spent 3 years building a business, 3 years on the crew team, or becoming the president of the student medical society you've been in since freshman year.

For example, I had a business selling clothes imported from Europe. That was talked about way more in my application than my 1 year of bench research.
My friend had years of research, but not enough clinical experience, also had >90th percentile MCAT. Felt like his med school options were limited.
Another friend had no research, but was an O Lineman for 4 years.

Again, find something that you're passionate about, but also make sure your application shows that you want to be a doctor (clinical volunteering, etc). And whatever you choose to do, build relationships since those will lead to LORs.

If you do want to do research, find out what projects are going on in your school/your area/with your professors and send emails to the PIs. It might take 100 emails, but eventually you'll get a yes. Or you can go through your pre-med organization and see if any research positions are available. If you're attached to a residency program, there will be plenty of residents who want help with a research project.

In any case, congrats on deciding to pursue medicine! It's a long road ahead, but you're taking the right first steps.