<p>ucb:</p>
<p>you are exactly right. But one downside for a lit/hume major at some college is the availability to become involved in on-campus research. Possibly for good reason, science majors may tend to get first dibs on research positions in their respective departments.</p>
<p>^I do not see it this way. D. just emailed prof. in charge of Research Lab. (prof. did not teach any of D’s classes and did not know her). I imagine that anybody could have emailed her. D. had very short interview and got internship position that lasted few years. She loved it.</p>
<p>^ Yes, but your D was a science major and so the prof was probably willing to take her on and train her with the assumption that she had: </p>
<p>1) basic lab skills
2) some math background
3) a clear understanding of how science research works.</p>
<p>That assumption won’t be there for lit/hume majors and some professors will be extremely reluctant to take them on.</p>
<p>^I believe more than anything else, D’s previous experience doing almost exactly the same has helped. I really do not know. D. has mentioned that it was very easy to get this position at her college (and others), no such luck during summer at home town. She was turned down despite her science major and perfect GPA. D. actually did not have clear understanding before she took college Stat class (later). Basically, anybody could follow procedures. D’s first (paid) experience in Med. Research lab was during soph. and junior summers in HS. I guess, you either have connections or just get lucky.</p>
<p>Ops, forgot to mention, they did not discuss much, but D’s Music minor during her short interview. And Music minor was a great hit during Med. Schools interviews, so I would not say that artsy people are at disadvantage. D. has also mentioned that if anything else, she has always seemed to be able to look at solving science problems from a different prospective than most because of her involvement with music…I have no idea what she meant, but she has specifically mentioned it several times in connection to college Physics. She has studied in groups a lot and many were seeking her help, that is how she got her SI job at college, not connected to her Med. Research Lab internship.</p>
<p>Miami:
note, I specifically said “some” colleges, and a lot of that depends on research dollars. For example, I know several colleges off the top of my head where Bio majors get priority for the research labs in the Bio department. Ditto Chem majors in the Chem research labs. Of course, some/many colleges also give even higher priority to ‘honors’ students…</p>
<p>A music major would have to get in the back of the line, pending space available. </p>
<p>PS. I understand the rationale for priority status…just pointing out an issue that it is likely much harder for lit/hume majors to obtain research opportunities on campus, or even SURPs. And, as w-o-mom points out, a science major has a lot more experience in a variety of labs which makes it easier to be of real value to a science PI.</p>
<p>
This is true for research and science labs. However, if a student came from a high school where the science curriculum is not strong (esp. in the lab area), this student tends to have some catch-up to do in their first couple of labs in college. This is because some of their peer students may have had good mentors and lots pf lab/research experiences under their belts before they set their foot on the college campus; they might compete in some national science competitions for years with the help from a professor while in high school. Their starting points are not the same.</p>
<p>In one mid-level science lecture class taught by some high power professor, the class is so lab-/research oriented that it is rumored that your grade in the lecture class may depend on how much past lab experiences you have had before you take this class. Studying the textbook hard will not help much unless you have enough related lab experience. (It is somewhat like the music performance ability but to a less extent: Some students may be 10 years of experiences ahead of their peer students, let alone their innate music talents.)</p>
<p>mcat2,
I only meant that D. has worked in Med. Research lab during HS (paid position). Her responsibilities were very close to the ones that she got internship at college. I do not exactly know if anything has helped or she was just lucky. I know that getting internship at college was very easy, outside of college it was practically impossible, even at the place where she has been working before - at home town college and where they still had her great employment record. I would say, that seeking opportunities at college might result in better outcome no matter what major. I might be incorrect, I only know D’s experience getting internship, awesome job, great volunteering, all during school year. She had great difficulties with anything at home, so ended up having very little to do over summers, just relaxing, spending time with friends, volunteering a bit, only becasue of her persistent character. Even volunteering had waiting lines at home, believe it or not. Pretty crazy!</p>
<p>*I want a computer memory enhancement so I can remember where I left my keys… *</p>
<p>dang yes…I want some kind of “flash drive” that I can just put near my head and know what’s on it. kind of a portable hard drive for the brain. </p>
<p>And…gosh…wouldn’t it be cool to be able download what knowledge a brain contains that somehow could be “re loaded” after stroke or injury. I know…probably too magic-like…lol</p>