<p>This school is quite well known for sending off solid graduates to reputable medical schools, but I still wonder how good a choice it is for a student considering pre-med. Would love to have an inside view, from either a student or a parent familiar with the program. I am asking for a sibling who is potentially interested. I have a lot of questions and would appreciate answers to any of them.
- There are certainly many research opportunities, but what are the barriers to being involved? Are there far too few spots for the number of interested students? Do professors prefer to take on people who majored in the subjects they are researching...can a history major do clinical/bench research in the sciences? Do professors overwhelmingly prefer to take on upperclassmen? Are many opportunities filled by honors students first? How hard is it to "break into" research for students who have no research experience?
- Are students collaborative or competitive?<br>
- How are the professors in the pre-reqs -- are they clear in lectures? are they they willing to help a struggling student who asks? Do their office hours meet students' needs?
- Does the pre-med advising office assign an advisor starting from one's freshman year? Will the advising office write committee letters for all students or just some? How rigid is the pre-health advising program in its requirements -- will they accommodate students who choose to use their AP credits or take pre-reqs in less typical order? Do students feel that the advisers are "on their side?"</p>
<p>Hi worth2try,</p>
<p>I’m a recent graduate from the undergraduate Psychology department. Hopefully I can provide some student perspective for you!</p>
<p>You can absolutely be a non-science major and do research. You can be an underclassman or an upperclassman to participate in undergraduate research. Professors would like to see that students are interested in the topic before they are approached, though, so we would always suggest that students read up on the publications of professors that they would like to do research with so that they are somewhat familiar with the topic. Depending on the professor, previous research experience may or may not be required. I would encourage you to learn more about our research opportunities by visiting this link: [Stony</a> Brook University Research](<a href=“http://www.stonybrook.edu/research/]Stony”>Stony Brook University, New York | Research)</p>
<p>As with any research institution, students are both collaborative and competitive. Group work within laboratory courses fosters collaboration, but students are aware that it is very medical school admissions criteria is very competitive. </p>
<p>Generally, professors are willing to meet with students outside of office hours if the student makes an appointment. Stony Brook offers tutoring services for students as well.
Our Pre-Health Advising Center (see here: [Stony</a> Brook University - Pre-Health Advising Center](<a href=“Pre-Health Advising | Stony Brook University”>Pre-Health Advising | Stony Brook University)) is open to all students. All students have a separate advisor their freshman year for more personalized attention. The office will write committee letters to all students applying to medical school. Generally, pre-reqs need to be completed in a particular order, as they are very sequential, but professional staff will help students evaluate their AP credits.</p>
<p>Best of luck to your sibling!</p>
<p>~meg</p>