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How to find a (paid) summer research position as a medical student: a thread by yours truly
Now is the time you should be looking at them for summer 2021! Programs will open applications starting as early as late next month and are often 1st come 1st served.
Now is the time you should be looking at them for summer 2021! Programs will open applications starting as early as late next month and are often 1st come 1st served.
I wanna start by saying that I really really want everyone interested in research to have the chance to have a good experience! I had bad experiences in undergrad and it nearly put me off research forever- but my summer research was one of my highlights of medical school.
First- how do I know this stuff?
I got a paid summer research position at the NIH as an M2 (we have summer off of M2 off!) and had to do almost all the leg work myself for it, and ended up helping several other classmates match into summer research slots
I got a paid summer research position at the NIH as an M2 (we have summer off of M2 off!) and had to do almost all the leg work myself for it, and ended up helping several other classmates match into summer research slots
Second- summer research is right for you if you’re interested in it.
I had quite a bit of prior research experience and my best friend had none- we both got slots! In fact some programs explicitly want people who have no research experience and some want those that do.
I had quite a bit of prior research experience and my best friend had none- we both got slots! In fact some programs explicitly want people who have no research experience and some want those that do.
Furthermore, everything from bench research to public health research is available!!
And third- during that summer off we didn’t get loans so I ignored anything that didn’t pay because frankly, I needed money. But if you can afford to go unpaid- you have 2x as many options
And third- during that summer off we didn’t get loans so I ignored anything that didn’t pay because frankly, I needed money. But if you can afford to go unpaid- you have 2x as many options
Before you start looking at programs some other helpful things to know are the exact dates you are available over the summer- some programs have strict dates while others just require a certain number of weeks.
Also- some programs also told me not to even apply as an M2
Also- some programs also told me not to even apply as an M2
So if you also take off the summer after your M2 year you need to call and confirm that’s okay, but just be clear you *have the summer off and are available for their dates*
You’ll also (probably) need- a headshot, a CV, a personal statement, and letters of rec
You’ll also (probably) need- a headshot, a CV, a personal statement, and letters of rec
So where do you find these programs?
First, your medical school may have in house opportunities so ask your home research department!
Here is one excellent compilation of short term research positions:
https://www.med.upenn.edu/mdresearchopps/short-term-research-opportunities/
First, your medical school may have in house opportunities so ask your home research department!
Here is one excellent compilation of short term research positions:
https://www.med.upenn.edu/mdresearchopps/short-term-research-opportunities/
Another one:
http://www.kumc.edu/school-of-medicine/osa/calendars-and-events/m1-summer-opportunities.html
A third:
https://research.chm.msu.edu/students-residents/external-research-opportunities-for-students
These lists do not guarantee the positions are paid or that you’re eligible but it’s a great start point to start sitting through opportunities and what you might apply to.
http://www.kumc.edu/school-of-medicine/osa/calendars-and-events/m1-summer-opportunities.html
A third:
https://research.chm.msu.edu/students-residents/external-research-opportunities-for-students
These lists do not guarantee the positions are paid or that you’re eligible but it’s a great start point to start sitting through opportunities and what you might apply to.
I also recommend if you know you want to do a specific field to google things like “surgery medical student summer research” or “surgery summer internship medical student” in a few variations. You can also replace the field with a city, if you need a specific location
Just invest some time googling and looking for things.
I also highly highly highly recommend the NIH SIP. It was an incredible summer for me. I grew SO much as a researcher and made great connections. (and they pay great- over 3k a month plus transportation!)
I also highly highly highly recommend the NIH SIP. It was an incredible summer for me. I grew SO much as a researcher and made great connections. (and they pay great- over 3k a month plus transportation!)
Also- some programs require you to submit a research proposal. I ruled those out because I didn’t have one! I was a better fit for programs that would match me to mentors with existing projects/projects waiting for me/something that didn’t need a full IRB write up to apply
Once you start finding programs, make a document with each program and a checklist of what you need for each one and the deadline. Each program has its own application (headache) and needs different things. I also made documents for my LOR writers with the programs
I needed them to write me letters for, the specific interest of that program so they could gear the letter appropriately, any special instructions, and the deadline. In red. And bolded.
Write a base personal statement that you can tweak to fit each program’s requirements as well
Write a base personal statement that you can tweak to fit each program’s requirements as well
Some programs will decide solely based on your paper application whether to accept or reject you but some will also require an interview.
Most programs will let you know by March if not earlier if you’ve been accepted- kind of depends on when the deadline is!
Most programs will let you know by March if not earlier if you’ve been accepted- kind of depends on when the deadline is!
I applied to seven different summer research programs, and got one interview and one acceptance. Apply broadly! These are competitive spots- but like I said, you can totally do it. There are programs in pathology, ones for ENT, tons for URiM, lots in oncology or diabetes!
If you really look for a program and can’t find one please feel free to DM me and I will try to help!
I can also help with looking over your personal statement though I’m no expert.
If you are applying to the NIH SIP, I can also chat with you about how
I can also help with looking over your personal statement though I’m no expert.
If you are applying to the NIH SIP, I can also chat with you about how
to increase the chances that your application for that program is more likely to be successful- the application process is a little unique and aspects like correctly tagging your application help a lot.
I hope this was helpful for you guys- just wanted to do kind of a quick overview and walk you through the basics of it because I knew NOTHING and it was so hard!
Anyways- go forth! Contribute to medicine and science! Learn and grow your skill set! Get paid!
Anyways- go forth! Contribute to medicine and science! Learn and grow your skill set! Get paid!
