<p>someone suggested i look into doing summer research at NIH and after looking at their website it sounds like something i'd definitely like to do. the only problem is i don't have any research experience. do they ever take anyone without research experience? i don't understand how you get research jobs if they all require experience...where do i get one for the first time?</p>
<p>Ask your professors.</p>
<p>There is a student Summer Internship Program where no previous research experience is required. The applications are available mid-November. Here's the link: <a href="http://www.training.nih.gov/student/%5B/url%5D">http://www.training.nih.gov/student/</a></p>
<p>My daughter applied last year and didn't get one. She was told that they get several thousand applications for their available spots.</p>
<p>yeah that's actually the program i was looking at but there's nothing i can really think of to put on my resume that might actually help me out. it seems like the application is geared toward students who have experience.
thanks for the link though</p>
<p>i'm looking into some other programs...looking at brochures hanging up in the science building. also, i'm only a freshmen so have time. i'm just not even sure that i want to do premed and whether i apply to medical school or not, research is something i am interested in and want to do a lot of. i'm hoping my work study will help me out..i'm helping a professor with one of his research projects (not the actual research but data entry, setting things up, etc.)</p>
<p>definitely apply even if they actually do prefer students with experiences.
In fact, it is just generally hard to get into any lab without previous experience. It doesn't hurt to apply anyways.</p>
<p>The point of the NIH SIP is to gain research experience. I think they understand many good applicants have no prior experience. If you’re truly interested make sure that comes through in your cover letter. Emphasize how your jobs/ extracurricular activities will enable you to be a good intern and what course work you have done. I haven’t been able to do research yet, but I have a phone interview with a PI.</p>
<p>IMO I think that although having an internship with NIH as your first research experience would be phenomenal and shows a lot about yourself, frankly I have found through experience that as people have said, if you have not contacted/met any PI, have 0 prior experience, your just a number in an ocean of applicants and chances of getting a spot are pretty low.
I have found the best way to get your feet wet in research is to find one of your profs. at school and try to do some work in their lab. They know who you are, have a good sense of what kind of student you are and are more willing to take you under their wing than some PI who has never met you.</p>
<p>this is an old thread.</p>