<p>So i just read the general premed adivice and it seemed informative.</p>
<p>Im a high school senior that will be attending UIllinois next year and i was wondering what advice could you give an incomming freshman going into an undeclared major (probably going to go with biology), who aspires to go to med school.</p>
<p>What would you tell yourself when you were a freshman?</p>
<p>I would have majored in English, for one. Also, I would’ve spent a lot more time doing things outside of class (learning guitar, exercising and going to the gym, reading for pleasure), and I would have started doing research (like, in a lab) much earlier. Also, it only helps to explore your options. Don’t lock yourself into “pre-med” right from the start. If you end up there for sure a couple years down the line, then that’s great; but don’t avoid other options now.</p>
<p>thnkx for the response goldshadow!</p>
<p>I plan on working out a lot next year so that should be fun. I also plan on wokring harder than i have ever worked when it comes to grades in college but i dont think that this will stop me from having some fun.</p>
<p>Also the thing you said about research… how do i get into research? Do i have to go looking for a research oppertunity? Is it difficult to get research in a lab?</p>
<p>Basically find a professor whose work kind of interests you and ask if they have room in their lab for an undergrad. It took me a lot of emails and a lot of meetings with various PIs before I found one that had some room in his lab for me. Try to find a professor that’s open to letting students work on their own independent projects.</p>
<p>It’s probably a bit harder to find a research position as an underclassman (after all, you won’t have taken any real relevant coursework yet), and you’ll start out washing glassware and stuff; however, it sets a good foundation for doing some real work later on.</p>