Across your premedical journey, the importance of research experiences, both to develop scientific laboratory skills and to bolster medical school applications, cannot be understated. While so much of college training is based around supervised learning, research is often a fundamentally different skillset, involving critical reasoning and independence. However, getting involved in research can be daunting – whether you're an ambitious freshman or a well-equipped senior. Fear not: going into this new field should be scary! It will be a time for important growth.
Finding the right research experience, however, can be difficult. A bit of persistence, luck, and crafting a deliberate application can allow you to approach this search like a pro.
How to find your perfect research experience:
1. Figure out Your Passions
As a premedical student, you may know exactly the specialization you wish to go into or just know that you “like science and want to help people” Either way, this is a good time to begin reflecting on your deeper passions. As you craft medical school applications, your personal statements will need to effectively weave together your life-long motivations. Getting a head start on this self-reflection can also allow you to consider what kind of research you will enjoy. For example, working with animal models to study neurodegenerative diseases will be a vastly different experience than in vitro (cell) work looking at cancers. When it comes to crafting your narrative in the future, being able to explain your passion for studying cancers – even if you don’t intend to specialize in oncology – may be far easier for you.
2. Be Different
Do not feel bound by traditional “pre-medical” activities! Remember, around 140,000 students start out as pre-medical, making traditional pre-medical research opportunities highly competitive. Thus, it can be helpful to explore other passions outside of the medical field. Have you always loved history? Try a research internship looking at the history of medical practices within your state. Have you always wished you were in nature instead of classrooms? Seeking out ecology internships can be a good option. These experiences will still help you develop a research resume, but they likely will also help you discover a new passion or niche within the scientific community.
3. Funding is Key
Like any student, I struggle with not having enough time or money. When choosing a research experience, being able to find funding is key. Good research often cannot be accomplished by only devoting a couple of hours a week to the lab. Thus, being able to have the financial security to devote more time becomes very important. Looking for funding is typically easier for summer programs – such as through the NSF’s REUs or Amgen programs. During the school year, Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) Awards can provide funding. However, these awards will not always be evident. For example, seeking out various departments within your university and directly asking your principal investigator can allow you to learn of new opportunities. Beyond your own personal funding, also consider the size of the laboratory you are applying for. A well-funded and large laboratory may be able to more easily fund your experiments and conference travel.
4. Apply, Apply, and Apply Again
You likely will not get into the first laboratory you apply for. Especially during summers, it is not uncommon to apply for 10 or more programs. This is where persistence comes into play. No matter the strength of your experiences, you can (and will) be passed up for opportunities. Do not let this demotivate you; rather, use it as energy to redouble your passion. Try applying for lesser-known programs; find the most niche program available; ask professors if they know of any opportunities. Do not take anything for granted in applications, and respond to rejections with humility.
You’ve got in! Now what?
There is no universal guide for being in a laboratory. The culture of each laboratory varies greatly, both in the context of research being performed and the individuals performing said research. While a comprehensive guide can not be provided, here are some tips to consider:
1. Come Prepared
Start with reading the recent publications from the laboratory. Make sure you highlight the critical ideas as you read. If you encounter unfamiliar techniques as you read, feel free to look further into those techniques before you show up on day one. If there are words or concepts you do not understand, try to gain an independent understanding of them. From there, feel free to email the principal investigator for any recommended resources.
2. Ask the Stupid Questions
Whether you are working with the principal investigator or a graduate student, inevitably you will be confused at some point. This is not the time to practice a monk’s vow of silence. Voice your confusion and ask probing questions. Remember, they are your mentor and have an interest in your professional growth. Clarifying methods can be an important step to avoid additional mistakes in the future. Additionally, this can be the time to make sure you grasp the “big picture.”
3. Remember that You Won’t Stop Making Mistakes
One of the worst feelings is being “that undergraduate.” The one who killed a cell line or who wasted an assay. Tiny (or big) mistakes will happen, and they will keep happening. While you should learn from these mistakes, they shouldn’t be an exercise in self-denigration. Being able to accept that you will make these mistakes will help you have a better time in this learning environment.
4. You Never Know who you will need to Know
The graduate student in your laboratory may be a future supervisor. The undergraduate you are working with may end up being your colleague. While we should always treat those around us with kindness, in the context of the small world of academia, this is all the more important. Make strong and lasting connections for the sake of knowing people and making life-long friends. Keep in contact, as you never know when a connection comes in handy.
5. Don’t be Afraid to Move On
Sometimes, after a few months in a laboratory, you may realize an incompatibility exists. It may be that you dislike the research or you may find that laboratory's culture a little difficult. Sticking it out for a publication may be tempting, but this is a long process that can easily take years. Moving laboratories and reigniting your passion may yield deliverables far sooner. Additionally, since you now have existing research skills, onboarding within a new laboratory may be easier and faster than it was the first time. Be cautious of not leaving at the first sign of difficulty, but repeated and clear signs of incompatibility should not be ignored. While beginning this process anew may be daunting, having multiple laboratory experiences can be highly valuable in clarifying career objectives.
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