<p>I'm a high school studeng going to be a senior this next school year.</p>
<p>I'm aware that, if possible, doing research as a high school student is very impressive to college admission committees. Also, I've heard conducting/looking in to medical research is important for prospective med school students.</p>
<p>I really, really want to take advantage of these opportunities, but, unfortunately, I live in a rural community that has no research-conducting clinics/universities in an hour radius. I was very busy this past summer shadowing local physicians and leading camps for my high school, so I could not have taken some time off to find opportunities and travel to a state college.</p>
<p>I do now know of a physician in a university 2 hours away that is willing to do research, but with the school year approaching, I think I may be able to fit this in for a few hours on Saturdays throughout the school year, but it would be hard.</p>
<p>Is it worth going through this trouble to gain the experience/credentials? Or would it be okay to explain the circumstances I have been in and not do the research?</p>
<p>If you really think you’d enjoy it then definitely go for it! But otherwise it’s not worth it</p>
<p>I think you’re overestimating the value of “doing research” for college admissions.</p>
<p>And I’m sure you’re overestimating the importance of “conducting/looking in to medical research” for high-school students who are thinking about premedical studies.</p>
<p>If you live hours away from the places where research is happening, then it’s not practical for you to “do research.” First, do your school work and get good grades. Then make productive use the time that you don’t spend in class or studying, doing whatever is available and appealing to you, wherever you are. If you’re still interested in becoming a doctor after you get partway through college, there will still be plenty of time for “research,” and also premed advisors who can help you get that opportunity lined up.</p>
<p>If it’s a burden, I wouldn’t do it. As a high school student, you won’t get very much quality research experience, and only a couple of hours a week isn’t going to give you any experience that’s worth talking about. I suggest getting involved in research as an undergraduate, where opportunities will be more available and you will be able to get more out of it. I highly doubt not doing research will significantly harm an otherwise competitive application, especially if you’re from an area that doesn’t have very many opportunities.</p>
<p>Thank you all for the responses!</p>
<p>I’ve been thinking the same thing. It’s definitely going to be a burden to do so, and I’m already making the most of my opportunities in my community (shadowing, volunteering, etc.) and still have a competitive application for my target schools across the nation.</p>