How to Find Research Opportunities

So why is research important? Medical school admission committees like seeing research experience on your application because it shows your strong interest and background in science. Some research experience, combined with a fair amount of volunteering and clinical experience, provides all of the extracurricular activity you will really need to impress med schools. 

So how do you actually go about finding research opportunities?

Well, the biggest and most important thing I can stress is that you must be proactive in your search for research opportunities. They will not fall in your lap. In the same way it can take some work to find a job, it will most likely take some work to get into research. You must seek out this opportunity and do all you can to get it. 

For starters, if you are looking to do research in a particular field or discipline, the best place to check is the website for that department. Find listings for chemistry or physics professors and search for postings about research on the website. Many times they will post things on their website to inform students about a research opportunity. If you can't find anything posted directly on the website, email the professors and ask them if they need any help with their research or if they know someone who does. Just trying these things can usually get you a spot helping to perform research but in certain cases you may need a little more help.

Ask your friends and classmates if they know of any professors that need help with research. It isn't uncommon for one of your fellow classmates to also be doing research, so they might be able to help you land a job. If they can't, see an adviser about it. Usually they will be able to get you in touch with someone who can give you the information you need. 

 Finding a good opportunity for research can be work but it is definitely worth it.

These will be the main ways of getting into research if you are at a large university. However, there are more unconventional students that still need to find a way to get research experience. 

For example, what if you are at a community college or small liberal arts college that doesn't have much in the way of research?

There may be more work required for these particular students than those enrolled in larger universities. But it is still very possible to get your research experience. If you are located near a large university, then this is the best place you can look. Many colleges have outreach programs that allow students like you to help in research although you aren't a student. The downside is that this may mean you have to sacrifice a summer rather than have the opportunity to perform research during the academic semester. This complicates things but of course it is still possible.

Many students don't know when it is the right time to search for these research opportunities. They either wait too long or ask too early and get discouraged when they are turned down. My advice is to begin seeking these opportunities as early as possible. Many professors do not even accept seniors because the energy he/she exerts into training them is wasted when they leave several months later. It is not uncommon, however, for professors to turn down freshmen because they consider them too inexperienced. This isn't a big deal and you shouldn't be discouraged if this happens. If nothing else, this professor now knows your name and will be more likely to accept your help in the future. Keep trying until you finally get that position you want. 

It is important for you to keep your grades high if you want to get involved with research. Professors set their own rules about who is allowed to participate in their research, which can mean some very strict policies. Some professors are more lenient, of course, but some only accept help from those with a 3.8 or higher!

The last topic I want to talk about when it comes to research is money. This is something that varies from school to school and professor to professor. Some of these professors are willing to pay you for good, hard work that contributes significantly to their research. But don't be surprised if a particular professor doesn't have the funding or isn't willing to pay you. I believe that the experience you gain from doing research and the boost your application receive make up for the fact that you will not get compensated for your work. 

Good luck finding research opportunities at your school or in your area! I hope my advice helps you to earn that spot and impress those admission committees.

All About the MCAT

The MCAT is the single most important factor (next to GPA) in determining whether you will get into med school. A low score on the MCAT can ruin your application and destroy your chances of becoming a doctor. A good score will impress admission committees and can get you admitted when all other aspects of your application are weak.

So what exactly is the MCAT? Well, it is a test published by the AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges.) It is known as the Medical College Admission Test and is used by schools to determine your critical thinking skills and scientific knowledge.The MCAT will test your knowledge in the fields of Chemistry, Physics, Biology, and Organic Chemistry.

Be prepared to do a lot of studying for an impressive score.

There are four sections to the test: Physical sciences, verbal reasoning, writing sample, and biological sciences. However, the writing sample section will no longer be part of the test starting in 2013 so I will not bother talking about it here.

Your score on each section can range from a 1 to a 15. This score is converted from your "raw score", which is the questions you answered correct out of the total number of questions from the section. For example, raw scores from 40 to 43 on a particular section may equal a score of 11, while raw scores from 44 to 46 may equal a score of 12. 

The average MCAT score for accepted students is typically between 27 and 32 for most schools, but there is a large difference between the least selective schools (with an average MCAT score of about 25) and the most selective schools (some with an average MCAT score of 36 or more). 

This graph shows the average MCAT score for students that were accepted into medical school. As you can see, competition is only getting more fierce as time goes on, so you must get a high score to be competitive. 

Well, hopefully this post provided a good overview of the test and soon I will write a post with the goal of leading you through the ambitious task of studying for this monster of a test and getting that great score you want.

How to Get Straight A's

The average GPA for acceptance into U.S. medical schools ranges from about 3.5 (at less selective universities such as Eastern Virginia Medical School) to almost 3.9 (at the most selective schools, such as Harvard Medical School.) Admissions committees will typically look at both your core GPA and your science GPA.

Visit this page to view medical school admissions statistics (although a few years old) or purchase the book Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) for more up-to-date numbers.

It's apparent from these statistics that you need a high GPA to be competitive as a pre-medical student. Generally a GPA of 3.5 and above is seen as competitive, however your goal should be to make your GPA as high as possible. Think for a second about how impressive it would be to have a 3.8, or even a 4.0, on your application. It would certainly impress most medical schools, and since it is one of the most important factors in admission, it can make or break you when it comes to getting in.

So how do you go about getting good grades? I will start by saying that you should always aim for an A. In every class, on every test, and on every quiz, your goal should be 100%. I realize this may sound unrealistic to a lot of you, but the first step to succeeding is setting a goal for success. You will be surprised at how well you can do with hard work and a few helpful strategies.

The Schedule

Picking your schedule is one of the most important factors determining your success. Now, as a pre-med student, your schedule is probably already going to be very difficult. You're going to have to take Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Organic Chemistry, and Calculus, among other courses. However, there is a lot you can do when making your schedule to ensure you get that perfect 4.0.

• Don't take too many classes - This one is pretty obvious. If you take too many classes, it is easy to begin feeling overwhelmed by the work load, which will make all your grades suffer. Try to stay around 15-18 credit hours max. 
• Take classes that interest you - Don't shy away from more challenging classes out of a fear that your GPA will suffer. If you genuinely enjoy learning about a particular subject, I guarantee you that it will make for an easier class than a supposedly "easy" class that does not interest you at all. 
• Balance your schedule - Knowing you will need to take some very difficult courses your first few years of college, you should do what you can to balance your schedule. Plan accordingly to make sure you don't have to take several hard classes one semester. Don't shy away from taking easy classes to benefit your GPA and balance with your difficult classes. However, try to pick classes that interest you, not just classes that other students say is easy.

Performing in Class

• Go to class - Another obvious one, but I am writing it out to emphasize how important it is. Instructors typically only test on material that is presented in class. This varies depending on the professor, but test material is rarely taken from the dark depths of your textbook. Being in class allows you to hear the information while also writing it (if you are taking good notes). Don't think that reading your book is enough to do well in the class. You should never skip class because you think you can get more of the material learned on your own.
• Take good notes- Your notes serve as a transcript of your instructor's lecture. They can be the easiest material to study from when it comes time to take a test, so it is crucial you take good notes. This isn't a skill that can be easily taught, however, I can give a few tips to make the job easier. Develop some sort of shorthand to get more information down in less time. Use abbreviations such as w/ instead of with. Take notes in a style that is legible and useful to you. Don't worry about making them look nice because they are for your benefit only. You don't need to write down every word the instructor says, but make sure you pay attention because they often emphasize points that are important. In other words, they are alerting you to potential test material. 
• Review your notes immediately after class - Review your notes the first chance you get after class. Just looking over them again will boost your retention of the material significantly. If you have other classes right after earlier classes then just review the notes the first chance you get. 
• Pay attention to the syllabus - The syllabus is that useful piece of paper that has information on your assignments, quizzes, and tests. Basically it is the schedule that the class follows. Instructors usually mention assignment information in class. However, sometimes they do not so you must read the syllabus closely to even know what is coming up. Pay attention to the instructor and don't be afraid to mark your syllabus if he/she makes changes to important dates. 

Acing the Test

• Stay organized - Keep your notes in chronological order, with good titles telling you what each section of notes is about. I suggest buying a calendar or using a computer program or website to keep track of upcoming test/quiz dates or due dates of important assignments. A calendar provides a clear visual indicator informing you of important events that are approaching. 
• Develop good study habits - The single most important factor determining your grade will be the work you put into it. I recommend you begin studying at least a week before important exams. This gives you time to absorb the information rather than simply remembering what you need to for the test. 
• Stay calm - Many people freak out or get extremely nervous when it comes time to take a test. This is the worst thing you can do because it makes it harder to focus. Take deep breaths and tell yourself you know the material. It won't be the end of your life if you do poorly on one test. And if you took good notes and properly prepared yourself, there's no chance that you will struggle through the test.  

You'll quickly realize how easy it can be to get straight A's if you follow a few simple guidelines and put a little bit of hard work into it. I'm not saying that these hints are the miracle cure for bad grades but following them will most likely give you a significant boost to your GPA.

If you need more help with your grades, then I would look into purchasing a book written for students trying to improve their grades like you. Here are a couple I recommend:

Getting Straight A's by Gordon W. Green focuses on 10 rules that you should follow to ensure you get the grades that you want. It's gotten great reviews and I've read it myself. Check out the reviews on amazon to decide if it's something you think will help you. There are numerous success stories of people who completely turned around their GPA from using Dr. Green's system.

What Smart Students Know: Maximum Grades. Optimum Learning. Minimum Time. by Adam Robinson is considered a classic in the study guide sub-genre. It has helped plenty of people transform their grades and it continues to get great reviews.

Other resources:

VueMinder is a great calendar program that has fantastic customization. There is a free version that can be downloaded from their website. I recommend it to anyone who would rather use computer software than a physical calendar.

How to take good notes:
http://suite101.com/article/how-to-take-good-notes-in-college-to-improve-study-skills-a265567
http://jerz.setonhill.edu/writing/academic/notes-tips.htm

Overcome test anxiety:
http://www.studygs.net/tstprp8.htm
http://www.testtakingtips.com/anxiety/index.htm

Quizlet for studying vocab and making practice tests.