Undergrad research

[alexlukasewycz]

---

Members do not see this ad.

So I got a simple question here ( or what I believe to be simple ) I keep hearing that research is crucial in applying to med school. Luckily I'm just starting college so I have time to do it. However what research should I be doing? I'm a little confused. Should I be researching the job itself and different med school or are they talking about clinical? If so can anyone give me any tips or advice for that.
Thanks.

 

[jeghaber]

Simple questions, simple search.

Short summary: any research will do as long as it's hypothesis-driven (i.e. psychology research = fine, clinical research = fine, history research = cool, but not exactly what research-heavy schools may be "looking" for).

 

[MedMinded]

It isn't about a specific type of research, just being involved in the research process. You could work in any number of fields of research, as long as it's reputable scientific research.

Not all schools require research, but they generally like to see it. Some of the top schools expect applicants to have extensive research.

 

[AquiVoy13]

Scientific research, for example, working in a lab. There's also clinical research, but I think most undergrad premeds end up joining basic science labs.

There are a few ways to acquire research positions. Some people ask professors about their work and ask if there are any open positions in their labs. Other people simply send emails to a bunch of PI's and ask about open positions. There are also various summer research programs, where you usually send in an application and letters of recommendation. So I would either look up professors with cool labs at your university or start looking up summer programs.

Note: your research doesn't have to be related to medicine/ natural science, although that's what the majority of people end up doing. I know many people who have done social science research/social science honors theses.

 

[911 Turbo]

Another premed off to do research to satisfy a checklist...