<p>Hi everyone!
I am struggling to complete an NIH application that is due tomorrow night.</p>
<p>I am currently a junior aspiring to become a doctor in the medical field and I really, really, really would like to intern at NIH. I don't care which institute- Lungs, Mental Health, Eye, etc. I find it all fascinating and just think the research experience would be great.
In our cover letter, we are supposed to define our "scientific research interests and prior experience".
Unfortunately, I do not have any prior research experience.
How should I address the issue of my cover letter? How do I specify my interests without narrowing down the institutes I can apply to? ie. We are only allowed to select 3 research topics, however I am interested in all of them lol. And what should I write to Principle Investigators to maximize my chances of getting selected? Please keep in mind that I have literally no lab experience and am competing with college students for this position :(</p>
<p>I need to get my application in before 2014 because the Principal Investigators place special preference on students who apply during the previous year.
I am afraid that if I describe a specific interest, I will be limiting myself to the endless opportunities that await me in other institutions.
How should I describe my fecund interests without sounding desperate???</p>
<p>I would say they don’t care about the date of your application and care a lot more about your ability to work in a lab which seems like none at this point. No one actually looks at your app and the only way you get a response in most cases is by interacting with PIs directly. The first time is very hard.</p>
<p>You have to approach many directly once you have filed your app which is where you show wide open interest.</p>
<p>Thank you for replying! As of now, my cover letter consists of nothing but my interests. When you emailed the PIs, did you focus more on how your interests and their research are compatible, or how your prior experience relates to their investigations? Do you think they prefer to see genuine interest or actual experience??</p>