Hi, as the topic says, would having prior hs medical research experience be greatly factored in securing any kind of undergrad opportunity?
In college, would you usually stay in your own college or find other places for research? Would the social connections made from hs research help when applying?
I am a high schooler who is very interested in the med field and not doing research just for the resume, but just kind of curious about this 
Thanks!
Yes, definitely. The more skills/experience you have the more desirable you will be to professors.
I don’t know for certain, but I would guess the vast majority of students who do research do it at their own college. Certainly that gives you the best chance to conduct a real project over several years.
If you mean that your hs research mentor knows people at various colleges or someone who you worked with in your lab moves on and goes to another school, yes, it can definitely help as he/she can put in a good word for you at those institutions. If you mean something else, I doubt it.
Don’t limit yourself this early to just “medical” research. Make sure to consider basic science and honestly even stuff outside biomedicine (e.g. plant research, marine biology). At this point in your development, any sort of experience with experimental design, keeping a good lab notebook, doing experiments, analyzing data, and presenting data will be very impressive. I don’t mean that you shouldn’t pursue more medically oriented research, but if a professor in a slightly different field is willing to take you on, do it.
My boss has hired some high schoolers and early undergrads. Without a doubt the most important skills for you to have are that you can keep a good lab notebook and that you know how to handle yourself in a lab without breaking/contaminating things. Everything else is much easier to teach.
It is generally easier for a college student to find research experience on their own campus, but it depends on the school. College students also can apply for REU programs, which are summer research programs funded by the NSF in various science areas – usually they come with campus housing, a stipend of $4000-$5000, and travel expenses. They are pretty competitive, though – a good GPA and strong recommendations help.
Thank you both @iwannabe_Brown and @intparent for your advice; I’ll keep them in mind!
I’m wondering whether to apply for summer internship at City of Hope because my family is contemplating about other summer plans, and I already have research experience at a local university. I know it would be a great opportunity to learn, but I’m not sure about my schedule. A tipping factor in this decision would be the benefit/connections the CoH experience may provide when I reach undergrad in UC’s…
I do not know specifics of your situation. " would having prior hs medical research experience be greatly factored in securing any kind of undergrad opportunity?" - this did NOT happen to my D. She applied at the same place as she worked for 2 summers during HS and where she got awesome LORs for her college application. While having straight As at college and great LORs, she did not get in. She had hardest time finding anything in our hometown while it was very easy to get into medical research and other opportunities at her college.
That is an interesting perspective, @MiamiDAP. I hope your daughter is currently doing well!
Thank you Ripplellusion. D. is working very hard as a first year resident.
If you have any doubt about applying somewhere or not, my advice is ALWAYS the same - apply. You never know where it may lead you and what doors it may open. My D. said to me many times, that she witnessed so many college students around her just passing by on incredible opportunities, where she would jump in if she had a chance and she did. This was not only opportunities, but also additional scholarships, everything. Do not give up so easily to the next person! Some of these efforts will be a waste of time and even money, but do not give up so easily! On this road that you are on, it will get only more and more competitive.