Chance me for Summer Research Programs? First Time Applicant

<p>So I am a freshman at Vanderbilt. My parents are texas residents. I applied to 2 summer research programs in Texas. Should I apply to more? I have no prior research experience. The first program I applied to was UTMB-Houston, which does not use the +/- system when calculating gpa. The next program I applied to was Baylor College of Medicine, which uses the +/- system in calculating gpa. </p>

<p>These are my stats:</p>

<p>Gpa-Overall-(FOR UTMB-HOUSTON, UTMB DOES NOT USE THE +/- SYSTEM, WHILE BAYLOR DOES): 3.75
Gpa-science for UTMB-HOUSTON - 3.5</p>

<p>Gpa-Overall-(FOR BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE which uses the +/- SYSTEM):3.525
Gpa-Science-3.2 (I HATE THE +/- SYSTEM)</p>

<p>First semester classes, Biology, Chemistry, Classical Mythology, Political Science</p>

<p>First semester activities - Flag Football, Pre-Med Club, EnthYou Club.</p>

<p>NO PRIOR RESEARCH EXPERIENCE. NO PRIOR RESEARCH EXPERIENCE. NO PRIOR RESEARCH EXPERIENCE.</p>

<p>+/- is generally standard for GPA calculation… OTOH, schools probably won’t recalculate it via their own system unless they say so in their application. Your GPA is cGPA: 3.52/sGPA: 3.20, which is not particularly impressive. You’re a freshmen with a few very easy 100-level science courses and no research experience. I’m not really sure what you’d add to a lab, TBH. If anyone offers you such an opportunity, consider it a very big gesture of kindness because you don’t appear to have anything to offer from what you just said.</p>

<p>I’d probably apply to your own school’s research programs for the summer and see if a prof you’ve had before and really likes you would be willing to take you on for the summer. Otherwise, I doubt you’ll do well as your GPA is pretty mediocre, you’re a freshmen (most programs I’ve seen request at least sophomore status at the time of application, having completed at least o-chem I by the start date of the position for most bio and chem summer RA-ships), and you lack any research experience (which would at least give you a good understanding of how to ask questions; where to look for flaws in research methodology; how to perform a thorough lit review efficiently; practical usage of the scientific method – which is often completely different from what they teach you in class; etc.)</p>

<p>^ when I talked to the director of the summer research program at UTMB-Houston, she said they will recalculate my gpa. </p>

<p>The Bio and Chem Classes at Vanderbilt are huge weedout classes, these were my grades</p>

<p>Biology- (A-)
Chemistry - (B-)
Classical Mythology - (A-)
Poli Sci - (A)</p>

<p>You should be applying to many of these programs, not just one or two. I remember applying to 15 or so and only getting into 2. And that was with a 3.9 GPA at the time and better EC’s.</p>

<p>Last year D1 applied to 6-8 and got into 1. Only prior research experience was in HS; applied after soph yr; 3.9 overall/3.8 science gpa and better ECs.</p>

<p>Any premed will have taken those same type of ‘weedout’ classes, so I don’t think they’re going to cut you any slack on grades.</p>

<p>^^ I see what you guys are saying. I can’t really find a lot around the houston area (my parents live there). I am now applying to the MD Anderson Cancer research program, UTMB-Galveston research program, as well as the UTMB-Houston program, and Baylor College of medicine program. </p>

<p>None of these programs asked for my Extracurricular activities? Are EC’s not a big part of the applications? I think Baylor may have, but the UTMB ones definatly didn’t. Should I send my college resume (it would inculde stuff from first semester. </p>

<p>I did shadow researchers at Vanderbilt’s Medical School in their pathology department for 3 weeks, but I doubt this will help at all.</p>

<p>IF I CAN’T GET INTO ANY OF THESE PROGRAMS, WHAT CHANCE IF ANY DO I HAVE OF GETTING INTO MEDICAL SCHOOL, THESE ARE ONLY SUMMER RESEARCH PROGRAMS?</p>

<p>***If I can’t do research this summer, my parents have medical consultants at Baylor Medical School, who would let me work in their labs.</p>

<p>My D applied to 10 programs and didn’t get in to any. She is now in med school. Don’t worry–it isn’t the end of the world. </p>

<p>Why not accept the in with your parents’ friends at Baylor and do that this summer. Get a letter of recommenation. Then apply to the research programs next summer and you will have experience.</p>

<p>OP, as I stated you’re a freshman. Wait a year (while getting some research experience and more lab sciences under your belt at school) and bring that GPA up a few 10ths of a point and you’ll be golden.</p>