Research

Many health professional programs value research in part for what it reveals about the researcher; for example, pursuing research may provide evidence of your intellectual curiosity, commitment to learning and discovery, ability to work in a team, and ability to read and critique scientific literature – but if you don't think that research is for you, these are all traits that you can demonstrate through other means. 

Keep in mind that most medical schools have no preference for which type of research you engage in, so be open-minded about exploring your interests outside of science, including arts & humanities, social sciences and more. USF Undergraduate Research

We also encourage pre-health students to apply for summer programs in academic medical centers where it’s possible to interact with medical students, residents, and physicians, to see how education, clinical care and research interact, and to gain insight into their potential next educational setting. Working at such a setting also makes it much easier to add a few hours of volunteering to summer plans. Many research internships won’t include opportunities for direct patient interaction, so we recommend applying to do a volunteer shift in the evening or on the weekend alongside the research opportunity.

How to Find Research (AAMC)