<p>This is my first time posting on here. I am a freshman at UT, knoxville and these are my first semester grades:</p>
<p>Bio 101: A-
Jpn 151: A
Eng 101: A
Honors Social Work 207: A
Math 113: A</p>
<p>Cumulative: 3.93</p>
<p>Anyways, I just want to know of some very interesting pre-med programs that will help me grow as a student. Also, maybe some personal recommendations. I hate applying for scholarships/programs because I feel like i’m wasting my time writing essays when I figure I won’t even win. It sucks not knowing. But i’m trying to be more optimistic and more of a go-getter in college. </p>
<p>Furthermore, I do not understand ‘student research’. I understand the words but I don’t understand what students research about. A lot of med schools seem to look favorably upon student research so I would love to do it but I do not really have an issue I am THAT interested in. Can someone elaborate or give examples? It would be great if I could see the fruits of someone else’s research.</p>
<p>Normally, pre-med research is done in a lab. It can be as rewarding or as mindless as you care. Just go ask your adviser what the best way to get into a lab on campus is. Or, look up a list of research labs on a departmental website, read up on their goals, and start emailing professors.</p>
<p>I’m confused on what you mean by pre-med programs…most of the people here that say they are pre-med aren’t in a special program per se, it just means that they are planning on attending medical school after college. Are you referencing something like volunteering in a hospital or am I completely missing the point here?</p>
<p>As for research, I second the recommendation to look online at what different professors are currently working on. I landed my research position by becoming friendly with one of my professors, checking out his research online, and asking him if he had any openings in his lab. I had extremely good timing because soon after I joined so did some other students and our lab is pretty much full right now. If you’re interested to know what we do, I work with a Drosophila model for Alzheimer’s disease. I’m going to be in my first publication pretty soon with more to come, and I am lucky in the sense that I am considered a key part to the projects I work on and not just some lowly undergraduate.</p>
<p>I’m passionate about Alzheimer’s because it has affected my family personally, which makes researching that much more rewarding when we have breakthroughs. Consider that when you’re looking around - if you’re interested in your subject and understand it well, then actually doing the research will be gratifying as well as a good resume-booster and a chance for an excellent letter of recommendation.</p>