Premed research opportunities help you develop essential skills and attitudes for becoming a doctor, whether you are applying to MD or DO programs, and especially if you are looking to pursue an MD-PhD program. The knowledge you gain will help your medical school application stand out. In this article, I’ll share how I found premed research opportunities and how they helped get me into medical school.
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What to Look for in Premed Research Opportunities
Medical schools do not spell out the need for research experience in your application and some applicants get in by placing emphasis on other outstanding aspects of their application such as community volunteering and clinical experience. For me, my research experience helped my application stand out.
It’s important to learn what medical schools are looking for when they review research experiences in your application. So, what should you look for in a premed research opportunity?
1. Quality vs Quantity
This is the golden rule for all your application components. It's not the number of words in your medical school personal statement that will impress the admissions committees, but the quality of thought and articulation. It’s not the quantity of medical school recommendation letters that will help your candidacy, but the quality of those references. And it's not the number of your research activities that will help you develop important research skills, but the quality of your experiences.
Focus on the program’s objectives and the kind of skills you will be able to develop during the project. Having only 1 good research experience which helped you hone key skills will be much more valuable than 20 projects where you do not get the opportunity for self-improvement.
2. Time Commitment
Medical school admissions committees like to see dedication, responsibility, and commitment in their applicants’ applications. Your time commitment to a research experiences in undergrad can demonstrate these qualities. If you jump from one premed research project to the next without having much effect on the project itself, this myriad of experiences will not impress the committee members.
So how many hours of research do you need to impress the committee members? While the quality of your experience matters more, aim to have around 400-500 hours in total. MSAR can be a useful tool in determining which schools value research—and how many experiences you should have.
“I noted the number of volunteer, work, and research experiences that accepted applicants had and focused on schools that had averages that matched my numbers … As you apply, activities that you are passionate about and can show longevity [in] are more important than one-off things that just check a box” – Dr. Monica Taneja, MD.
This means that if you participate in a research project for a couple of academic semesters on a part-time basis or participate in a summer undergraduate research project, you will hit this number without any problems. This shows to the committee that you were really a part of this research project, that you were a part of the team, and that you dedicated your time and effort to working on this research. Summer research for premeds also means you can dedicate more hours to a project.
3. Research Skills
Whether you choose to get involved in clinical research or social science research, you must aim to develop certain skills. Research skills are easily transferable, and the field of your research project is not as important as the skill set it hones, such as gathering and analyzing data, verbal and written communication skills, analytical and critical thinking skills, and so on.
Getting involved in research that is directly related to your field of interest is a great feat, not only because this will impress the medical school committee but because you will certainly enjoy the experience!
4. Results
Your research experience does not have to result in discovering the cure for cancer. A research opportunity can result in a publication or conference participation, or a great reference letter for medical school from your principal investigator.
A quality research experience should result in more than a mention on your medical school resume or CV. A research experience should leave you with new knowledge, new skills, new connections, and new opportunities! If you loved the research project you participated in, it might inspire you to pursue more research! If you develop good relationships with your teammates, you are more likely to have future network connections that can help you through medical school and residency. Basically, a research project should result in more than a check mark on your med school application.
How I Searched for Premed Research Opportunities
I began reaching out to professors in the biology department of my university as early as my freshman year.
After introducing myself in official emails, I explained my interests and asked if there was any research project to assist with. I sent multiple emails in my first year in college, with a greater percentage getting ignored. I was able to get my first opportunity with a research project in my sophomore year of college when I found a flier at my door in my dormitory advertising research opportunities in the biology department.
The flier promised hands-on experience with cutting-edge techniques, mentorship from experienced professors, and the chance to contribute to groundbreaking research in oncology. I opened my laptop and started searching for the lecturers in the department who were currently carrying out research in oncology, and I found this brilliant professor of molecular biology working on the effect of a new drug on cancer cells.
The following day, I summoned the courage and walked into their laboratory, where I met the graduate assistant, who hinted that the team needed help with the data analysis aspect of the project. I immediately jumped on this opportunity to be a part of this project.
It took more than nine months of collecting and analyzing data, along with my undergraduate studies, to eventually get co-authored in a publication. We didn't publish it immediately, but after a few months, I got an email that I was getting my first-ever publication in a renowned journal. I even got to present at a research symposium, rehearsing for weeks and deepening my understanding of scientific methods. During one of my medical school interviews, I was asked about my premed research experience, and it was almost too easy to discuss.
My second research opportunity came during my final undergraduate year, when I met a renowned professor of neuroscience during a symposium. As a member of the audience, I had little reach with the organizers to create rapport with the professor, but I knew I wanted to pursue a career in neuro-oncology, and this might be a shot.
I took that shot and pitched myself to her immediately after the presentation. She offered me a spot on the research team immediately, and it felt like a dream. You truly miss one hundred percent of the shots you do not take. I helped collate data on campus, sharing questionnaires and presenting my suggestions to the team. It was an enthralling experience for me, and every bit of it made me want to do more.
In some instances following my first premed research opportunity, I was finally comfortable with walking up to graduate assistants on campus to ask about their projects, after which I made my own findings to decide if I was interested in their work. This made me subsequently get connected to more opportunities in their research.
Whenever I get asked about how to get your first pre-med research opportunity, I recommend an online search into the department in your college that interests you first; this would help you get familiar with ongoing research opportunities for undergrads.
Find out more about getting research experience for medical school!
9 Places to Look for Premed Research Opportunities
1. Reach Out to Professors, TAs, and Instructors at Your School
Connect with the professors in the science departments in your college—biology, chemistry, or any other department that interests you in the scientific community or humanities. Although more emphasis is placed on getting research experience in core sciences, research experience in other humanities also counts. Send them an email to express your interest in their projects. Keep the emails brief and straight to the point.
What helped me overcome my fears was looking at the bigger picture. Make an effort. Your professors and teaching assistants might be personally involved in research projects or know colleagues who are participating in research. You can ask if any positions on the research team are available and if so, who you can send your research assistant cover letter and resume to. These projects are often looking for assistants, scribes, and other team members who can help in the research process.
Keep in mind that your chances to participate in this opportunity and any of the opportunities we list below depend on your academic standing, your skills, your references, and more.
If you're working on a research assistant cover letter and are looking for tips to make it stand out, check out this infographic:
2. Check Out Other Colleges
If you find that no research opportunities are currently available in your own school, check out colleges and universities near you. Some departments openly post volunteer research positions on their website, so do make sure to check them out.
You can personally reach out to instructors in the departments that interest you the most and introduce yourself. Explain that you are a student at another school who is looking for research opportunities. Starting as a volunteer is the perfect opportunity for someone who does not have any research experience. Focus on self-improvement and development at first, and then demonstrate to your research team that you are a dedicated, responsible adult who they can trust and work with. You might move up the ranks if such an opportunity is available.
“If you're interested in certain types of research it is helpful for the interdisciplinary nature of certain research to be fostered at some of these bigger academic institutions. For example, I did a summer research program … and a lot of the work done with that would involve doctors in the hospital collaborating with people in bioengineering at the university.” – Rishi Patel, BeMo student.
3. Use Connections at Premed Clubs
My undergraduate institution had a few research organizations, which I joined very early in my freshman year. These clubs helped me with tips during my undergrad research.
There are a lot of research programs available during your premed years. You can look out for summer research programs and medical research fellows programs in reputable institutions.
Older students may also advise where to look for opportunities at your school and beyond. Perhaps they shadowed a physician who is always involved in research and can always use an assistant. They have been in your situation and know how frustrating this search can be. They also know if an experience will be of value to you, point you in the right direction, and give tips based on their own experiences.
4. Reach Out to Hospitals and Physicians
Your own extracurriculars for medical school can lead you to research opportunities! Reach out to your contacts or the doctors you shadowed, especially if you managed to develop a friendly rapport, and these physicians would remember your work ethic and intelligence. Even if they are not participating in research personally, they may give you the names of their colleagues who are looking for assistants or know of research projects happening in their institution.
Additionally, check out the websites of local hospitals, medical facilities, and research facilities. They may advertise research jobs.
5. Find Summer Research Programs
Summer research programs are ideal for most premed students. A huge advantage of these programs is that you can focus on research only. After successfully completing a program like this, you may not need to gain any more research experience to bolster your application.
The potential downside of summer research opportunities is that many of them have a variety of fees. As some of these programs are designed specifically for students who have no or limited experience in research, they ask students for application and program fees instead of paying them for their research participation. Considering how much medical school costs, and other related costs, sit down and plan your budget before you send in applications to summer research programs.
6. Make Use of the Internet
There are so many resources to use online. Check out the websites of reputable national research institutions such as - National Institutes of Health (NIH), the American Medical Association, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for research internships.
7. Consider Virtual Research Opportunities
You can explore virtual research opportunities in data analysis or literature reviews in any field that piques your interest. I was a part of a few virtual research training sessions and the tips I got from participating were very helpful in my overall research experience.
8. Look for International Opportunities
If you are adventurous, you can look for premed research opportunities abroad. These can be great for exposing yourself to new cultures and learning a new language. However, if you want to be strategic, you must keep a couple of things in mind.
If you complete a research project outside of North America, this might look great on your resume and med school application, but you might not miss out on a quality recommendation from your supervisor. Also remember that these opportunities can be pricy, as you will need to pay for the application fees, travel, accommodation, and living expenses while living abroad.
9. Enroll in SMPs & Post-Baccs
Special master’s programs (SMPs) and post-baccalaureate programs are also a great option for students who need more time and opportunity to enhance their application.
Post-bacc programs are designed with the purpose of helping students close gaps in their applications. Some offer more MCAT prep, some give you the chance to take necessary medical school prerequisites, while others may help you find quality research opportunities. You can find the programs that fit your needs via this AAMC directory. Make sure to check the programs’ websites if research opportunities are available via the post-bacc or related facilities.
FAQs
1. Do I need research experience to get into medical school?
While many MD and DO schools do not have strict research requirements, you should strive to participate in quality research experiences to be a competitive candidate. The skills you acquire via research are essential for medical school and the practice of medicine in general.
2. Why is research experience valuable to premeds?
Research helps students improve critical thinking skills, analytical skills, communication skills, and other important abilities. It demonstrates your curiosity, dedication, and sense of responsibility.
3. Is research experience more important than clinical hours or shadowing?
All three types of experience are important in their own way for premeds. Research activities build important skill sets, and certain medical programs may value research experience more than shadowing hours.
4. Should my research for medical school be in science disciplines?
Not necessarily. If you would like to experience scientific research, participate in lab-based research. However, you can also participate in social science or humanities research projects.
5. How much research experience do I need to get into medical school?
There is no set requirement for the number of research credits. Most importantly, your research activity should be of high quality and dedicated time commitment.
6. How can I find premed research opportunities?
Start by searching for opportunities in your own school. You can also reach out to other local colleges and universities, medical facilities, and your premed peers. You can also search for summer research opportunities and international programs.
7. Should I take a gap year to get research experience?
You can choose to take a gap year before medical school if you want to give yourself enough time to participate in a quality research experience. During your gap year, you can focus on bolstering your application with extracurriculars like research and clinical hours and prepare your medical school application.
8. I already graduated from college. Are there ways I can get premed research experience?
Non-traditional applicants can use all of the same methods we’ve outlined to find research opportunities. If you have been out of school for a long time, you might consider enrolling in an SMP or a post-baccalaureate program to gain all the necessary premed experiences.
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