<p>there are so many fields (topics, areas, etc) in research...how do premeds go about finding what they are interested in? gradually through their courses, professors, etc? also, does the area/type of research matter to med. schools? and is it generally easier to obtain research if you already have a stipend? is it true that you have to be published to get into med. school?</p>
<p>1.) Trying a few research projects and doing some reading is often a good idea. Courses will also help.</p>
<p>2.) I've found that things that you can contextualize easily - i.e. this research may lead to therapies for diabetes - make good essay/interview fodder, but it's far more important to have your own project.</p>
<p>3.) Yes.</p>
<p>4.) Absolutely not.</p>
<p>Is it really more important to have your own research project? What if it's in an area of research that's skewed more towards psychology - and though it still has medical and clinical applications, it's not exactly hardcore biology/biomedicine. </p>
<p>I may have an opportunity to conduct my own research project in this field (which i also think I'd enjoy more), but I wonder if med schools would look down on this because it's not quite as...laboratory-science-y, I guess. Would they not like that it's more data collection and analysis and not so much working on cell cultures, etc?</p>
<p>I would worry about that some, but I'm not really sure, to be honest.</p>
<p>does research have to be in the biological sciences? what about research in physics...or is that bad?</p>
<p>"I would worry about that some, but I'm not really sure, to be honest."</p>
<p>oh, the quotes must mean you've said that previously...</p>
<p>I certainly do not know the absolute answers to these questions, BUT I have read that your research area really doesn't matter. </p>
<p>The idea is to see if you are cabable of investigative thought and process. I do think that something dealing with science (and that includes psychology for this purpose) is preferable over research in, for instance, history or literature. And the reason for that is because research in those fields is very different from "lab" research or research that involves human subjects. As a matter of fact, research that involves human subjects, as many psychological studies do, has considerations all of its own (extra certification before you can be involved in the study - this isn't hard to get, by the way). That experience would be good for you as well. </p>
<p>Also, if you have a strong interest in neurology or psychiatry, a research project in psychology would be logical.</p>
<p>While any research is good for you as it demonstrates initiative and committment to problem-solving, I'd argue that the best way to go is still biomedically related research in a lab for several reasons.</p>
<p>1) While it is harder to get your own project in research in the sciences than in an area like history, etc., labwork is much more relevant to your career goals in medicine by exposing you to journal articles, research techniques, the jargon, etc.</p>
<p>2) Wetlab work is better for you than clinical work simply because you'll be allowed to do more because there are no concerns of liability or certification, exept for some very advanced animal experimentation.</p>
<p>3) Labwork is also preferable over clinical work because I'd argue the odds of getting your name on a paper, even if you don't have your own project, are greater because you can contribute more once you learn some basic assays and techniques.</p>
<p>4) This one's a bit cynical, but I think merits consideration. Many med students, especially at research-oriented med schools, take jobs in labs (cheap labor). By having prior experience with the procedures used in most biomedical labs, you can be more useful to them more quickly.</p>
<p>ok, but how to we find a Biomedical lab job in our area? is there some site we can look for them at, will out pre-medical advisors help us find one, do we just open up the wanted adds? and what kind of experience should we have to even be elligible to get a job at a lab actually doing research? Im going to be a freshman this year and will be taking several lab classes... but is this enough?</p>
<p>Internships in the biomedical field will be very competitive. I doubt simply coursework will be enough. You will probably need a good GPA and previous research experience which you can get at your school.</p>
<p>Is doing research in a field that is different from your major acceptable for medical schools? I'm a psychology major, but I'm doing biomedical engineering research. I have done that research since high school and I love that lab. But I love LEARNING about psychology. Is this odd?</p>
<p>Of course it is not "odd".</p>
<p>To get a research position w/ a professor in your school, is it necessary to have a lot of background knowledge or experience? B/c I was scrolling through the list of research opps in my school, and I could barely even understand most of the descriptions. Is this a problem? Or would I not be expected to know much if I'm just doing some basic lab work?</p>
<p>and sorry to be stingy again, but no one really suggested ways to find possible lab internships over the summer... im REALLY interested, but havn't seem to find out any information about how to find them</p>
<p>At schools where there are research labs, the profs will post openings through the school's career office. You can go and ask your school's career office. In addition, you can write to some of the professors ( through email or go to their office) and ask them if they need anyone or know of any openings. Include a brief resume, detailing the kind of experience you prefer and include a list of pertinent courses you have taken.</p>
<p>My son did research with his chem prof. 2nd semester fresh. year--the prof approached him about doing it. For the summer, instead of research, he wanted hospital experience and approached the head of pathology at our local hospital. He has worked all summer in path--assisted in autopsy, helped prepare tissue specimens, was instructed in gross exams and stood in on biopsies and some other surgeries. Was a great experience--got lab experience, some patient contact, some field work with medical examiner.</p>