<p>How easy is it to get involved in undergrad research if you're pre-med? I've been told that people usually begin their second year. But how realistic is it to try to begin research in a lab your first year? Does it help if you're Echols/Rodman?</p>
<p>I could talk on this topic for a while since I am largely involved with getting undergraduates involved in research (Undergraduate Research Network and, to an extent, I work with the Provost’s Office, the Vice President for Research’s Office, and the Center for Undergraduate Excellence). In addition, I also do research and am writing this from my desk in a Medical School laboratory.</p>
<p>First, I would like to caution you against getting involved in research solely because of pre-med. You should get involved in research because you are interested in the process and think you will enjoy it/it will be a good experience. The last thing to note is that a lot of professors do not like “pre-med” students because they are wanting to cultivate future researchers (Ph.D.) students and not physicians that are never going to touch research again. This is just something to be cognizant of when you approach professors and is not a hard and fast rule. I think that regardless of the faculty’s opinions, they all believe that undergraduate research is a formative experience that helps anyone.</p>
<p>Research is relatively easy to get involved with if you are a motivated person. You basically have to cold call (or email) professors that you are interested in working with and hope that they respond. It takes a bit of persistence sometime and then you would need to evaluate the offers and see if you would be a good fit for the lab. I think that being Echols helps because of the type of person who is selected for Echols (read: motivated) rather than the program itself. I know a lot of bad researchers who are Echols and a lot of good researchers who are not Echols. Plus, a lot of faculty aren’t particularly aware of the Echols program. They might be more familiar with the College Science Scholars program, but even that is a stretch.</p>
<p>Anyway, if you have any more questions I’d be more than happy to answer them or you could PM me.</p>
<p>^Hit the nail right on the head.</p>