Premeds should begin research projects early and in their areas of interest. Join a medical research team with a mentor who has time to work with you directly. An important component of a successful medical school application is research experience. Through research, premedical students can cultivate intellectual curiosity, learn to think outside the box and develop a critical approach toward solving problems. By participating in research, you can demonstrate to medical school admissions committees that you have sought to hone these skills and that you have a commitment to scholarly work, which you will bring to your training and future career as a physician. If you plan to become involved in research during college, make sure you make the most out of the experience – here are four ways to do so. • Start early: Research is often a painstakingly long process that requires commitment, patience and dedication. It can take months or even years to obtain meaningful results from a study. If you are looking to make tangible discoveries that could yield publications, it is a good idea to get started early in your premedical career. If you can find time, consider becoming involved in research as an undergraduate freshman. If your courses are demanding too much time, you may want to wait until the beginning of your sophomore year when you have developed stronger time-management skills. For those who are in the later stages of their undergraduate or premedical career, remember that although it is advantageous to start research early, it is never too late to become involved. • Work on a topic that interests you: By concentrating your research efforts on a topic that interests you, you are more likely to become engaged in the project and flourish. Your research does not have to be in biology or medical science to impress medical schools. For example, if you have an interest in public health, psychology, anthropology or finance, you can participate in research in any of these fields. You may consider combining these disciplines with medicine and doing research in an area like medical anthropology or health financing. The main point is to develop an appreciation for the discovery process, learn a systemic approach to research, foster curiosity and become a stronger critical thinker. This can be achieved in myriad fields and the skills you develop in the process are transferable to the medical profession. • Take ownership of the project: To do well as a researcher, it helps if you fully immerse yourself and assume responsibility for making sure the project advances smoothly. Spend significant time reading the background literature as it relates to your project. In fact, you may want to do this before you approach faculty members about becoming involved in their research. This way you will come across more knowledgeable and impress them. Once you have joined a research team, make an attempt to understand the research question that the project seeks to answer and the methodology that is being employed to answer the research question. Figuring all of this out may seem like a daunting task and will require time. However, if you are patient and persistent, you will gradually become familiar with the technicalities of the project and more comfortable with the work. Ask questions of your research mentor or others in your research team. One of the best ways to understand the nuances of the project is through engaging discussion with other members of the research team. • Work with a supportive mentor: A supportive mentor can go a long way in helping you advance your skills as a researcher, enhancing your learning and ensuring your experience is worthwhile. While there may be exceptions, often if you join a large research team, you may not have much interaction with your mentor as an undergraduate. We encourage premeds to join a research team with a mentor who has time to work with them directly. Make sure to communicate regularly with this mentor, ask questions and share your progress. Building a strong relationship with your research mentor is also valuable because if you have worked hard, you can ask for a letter of recommendation when you are applying to medical school. As you embark on a research project, keep in mind that research can be time-consuming. Do not give up you if you find at first that it is difficult to find a research opportunity with a good mentor or if you are having a hard time understanding the intricacies of the project. If you persist, you will experience the reward of contributing to discoveries and be prepare for medical school while developing a more inquisitive and analytical mind. Source
