What questions to ask at undergraduate research interview

[Mnbvcxz]

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Hi,

What should I ask the doctor I'm going to be doing research with at the interview? He has accepted me in his lab based on my e-mails+resume but we still have to meet. What can I expect him to ask me? The interview is in a few hours.
Thanks

 

[aSagacious]

What should I ask the doctor I'm going to be doing research with at the interview? He has accepted me in his lab based on my e-mails+resume but we still have to meet. What can I expect him to ask me? The interview is in a few hours.

Well, if he's already accepted you then you can cut right to the chase:
- What, exactly, will you be doing (washing glassware, having patients complete surveys, taking pertinent histories, data entry, etc)
- Paid or not
- Hourly commitment
- Time commitment (one semester, one year, etc)

...additionally, try to read his faculty page (if associated with a university) to get a feel for his research. If he's a hospitalist, try to briefly search a few online journals for some recent work. Hopefully you're at least superficially knowledgeable on the subject, so be prepared to talk about it at your meeting.

 

[Mnbvcxz]

Thanks, its what I had in mind. I did read some of his articles and brushed up my knowledge of his field.

 

[mmmcdowe]

I can haz pubz?

 

[NickNaylor]

I can haz pubz?

U funneh

 

[Quasimodem]

The chances of whatever you are working on getting published.

 

[Doctor246853]

Well, if he's already accepted you then you can cut right to the chase:
- What, exactly, will you be doing (washing glassware, having patients complete surveys, taking pertinent histories, data entry, etc)
- Paid or not
- Hourly commitment
- Time commitment (one semester, one year, etc)

...additionally, try to read his faculty page (if associated with a university) to get a feel for his research. If he's a hospitalist, try to briefly search a few online journals for some recent work. Hopefully you're at least superficially knowledgeable on the subject, so be prepared to talk about it at your meeting.

Great advise here. This is all you really need to know.

 

[Doctor246853]

The chances of whatever you are working on getting published.

Might not wanna ask that right off the bat. OP wants to get their feet all the way "in the door" first.

 

[nysw]

The chances of whatever you are working on getting published.

For the love of God, do not ask this at your first meeting. Don't come off as a pub grubbing premed.

Additional questions to what aSagacious has already posted: ask about the project you will be doing and how it relates to his research, who will be teaching you most of the techniques (if it's wet lab, $5 says it's another research assistant) and ask about any mandatory safety training courses you may have to take.

 

[Mnbvcxz]

Thanks all of you.

 

[mmmcdowe]

U funneh

Its the only things the undergrads in my lab know how to say!