<p>I've always thought I was good at molecular biology and that, one day, I'd hopefully excel in it, partake in some research, with some luck and determination discover something meaningful/make a contribution along the way etc.
Visiting these boards, however, has made me feel a little out of place. Almost everyone else considering careers in the sciences seem to have done research summer courses, understood quantum mechanics, partaken in stem cell research and more. Can I compare to people that have already achieved so much before starting college? Granted, they may have access to the accelerated courses, teacher/parent support, connections etc. that I do not at this time for various reasons, but does this put me "behind" them? Maybe science is not for me?</p>
<p>No lambasting please - just looking for some insight. (:</p>
<p>There’s plenty of time to do research when you’re in college. While it may seem like “everybody” has done research while in HS, this is CC and is not a good sample of the general population. There are plenty of kids that never had the opportunity to do research in HS but are able to do so in college and see if it’s the right field for them.</p>
<p>Oh please. Look at your sample: people who would regularly post in a college forum are more likely to be exceptional. Don’t let this get you down; the fact that you haven’t participated in any intense research is more likely due to a lack of opportunity than incompetence.</p>
<p>I’m currently a PhD student in developmental biology, and I did not do research in high school.</p>
<p>Very few students, even at top schools, have actually conducted research in high school, and even fewer have done research which would impress a faculty member enough that he or she would offer the student a research position automatically. Most people who are interested in careers in the sciences should try to start research by sophomore or junior year of college.</p>
<p>If you are interested in a career in science, you should look for an undergraduate institution which will allow you to do meaningful research as an undergraduate and have close contact with a number of faculty members who will be able to write you good letters of recommendation. You don’t need to worry about not having done research in high school.</p>
<p>Please feel free to send me a private message if you have further questions about getting into science.</p>
<p>^ I want to second this post. Absolutely agree! I would not at all worry about it. Look for a college that lets you gain research experience in your undergrad years (very important!) and you will acquire what you need then. </p>
<p>CC is not representative. The vast majority of science students have no genuine research experience in HS, and I’d venture to say that many self-described accomplishments by those on CC often sound much bigger and more amazing than they were in reality (if you know what I mean). </p>
<p>It’s nice to get some early experience because it helps you hone your interests, but it’s hardly necessary.</p>
<p>As someone who knows several Intel/Siemens finalists, I have to say that HS research has virtually NO EFFECT on anything the moment you step on a college campus, especially if you’re of the mold of most of the ones I’ve met, who’ve had positions handed to them via family connections and aren’t much of critical thinkers/problem solvers. I’ve said it in other threads and I’ll say it again: getting into a lab that works in a field you know you’re interested in and staying there for a good 2-3 years makes these awards seem negligible with each passing day. Hell, I know of people who were pre-med (and didn’t win any research comps in HS) through undergrad and still became famous PhD researchers (you can PM me if you’d like some names). </p>
<p>I see these kids become “famous” for research they may have contributed 10% towards and get into all these colleges only to do get destroyed by people with a focused plan for the future. Besides, MacArther fellowships >>> anything intel or siemens can offer.</p>
<p>i’m going to agree with the posts above me. go to college and work hard. in the long run, those couple of years the research kids have on you won’t matter if they don’t take advantage of their opportunities as well. also, not all the research kids want to have a career in science.</p>