Do I really need a research experience?
• While most medical/dental schools do not require a research experience as an undergraduate, having one will greatly strengthen your applications.
• The AMCAS application's “extracurricular experience” section contains a distinct classification for research experiences. Translation: These types of experiences are unique enough to warrant their own category; and therefore will stand out on your application. Many undergraduates will have an experience to place in this field. Make an effort to be one of them!
• 259.9 million dollars. The amount of money received in 2003 from the NIH by Duke University School of Medicine alone!!! Research does NOT end as an undergraduate. Many medical/dental students participate in research at the professional level; experience counts!
When should I begin?
• First, it's never too early to start looking for research opportunities. Typically, however, paid scientific internship programs want to see a background in organic chemistry, which usually means the summer following sophomore year is a good time to have a research experience.
• However, DON'T wait until May to start looking; you won't find much. Typically, applications for these summer positions are due sometime in January or February. Start early and plan on having to dedicate some time to writing application essays.
Where should I begin?
• Your most accessible and often the most fruitful option is to talk to the people you see everyday, most all of whom do some type of research: your professors! While not every professor is willing or able to welcome undergraduates into their labs, many would be more than happy to have your help.
• www.nih.gov. The National Institute of Health (which awards government money to institutions doing medical research) lists all institutions which have received these federal grants, and even post available internship positions by institution and state. A warning: while these lists are very long, they are by no means all inclusive. If you know of an institution at which you'd like to find a position, call them! You loose nothing by asking, and may find a great position!
• Pharmaceutical companies. A huge source of privately funded research, and with enough resources to offer several internship positions every summer. A bonus: the pay at these companies will typically be MUCH higher than at any publicly funded institution, and the facilities are usually state-of-the-art.
• Talk to the upperclassmen! Rarely will they bite, and many of them have had great experiences which they'd love to tell you about. Typically internship positions which were available in past years will become available again each year, as people move on to professional schools. Upperclassmen are an excellent resource to find out about how to apply, deadlines and even names and phone numbers of who to contact.
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