Research Experience Alternatives

In the last few lessons in this course, you were provided some resources for where and how to find research opportunities. But what if you cannot find any research opportunities in high school, or even early on in college?

I can’t find any research opportunities as a high school student!

• Participate in the HSAFP Monthly Research Journal Club. Starting in September 2025, the HSAFP Executive team will release a new Research Journal Club course each month that includes a peer-reviewed journal article about medicine, questions and activities for you to do with your chapter and on your own, and a video reflection from a medical professional.
  
  Consistently participating in our Research Journal Club will help sharpen key research skills and many of the AAMC Premed Competencies, including your knowledge of living systems and human behavior, critical thinking, teamwork, and written communication skills. See our HSAFP Courses and ask your Chapter President for more information!

• Ask your science teacher and academic advisor. They both may know of current academic opportunities that highlight your interests in science and medicine!
  
  
• Volunteer in more science and health-based roles
  • For instance, you might choose to:
    • Apply for volunteer roles that have to do with health policy and health organizations
    • Apply to be a local EMT
    • Become a leader in a professional STEM organization
    • Transport patients or blood to hospitals
    • Tutor younger students in STEM subjects at local public schools
    • Work in a hospital
    • Work in hospice patients’ homes

I can’t find any research opportunities as a first-year college student!

• Make your own scientific activities and groups
  • If your college/university does not already have a STEM-based group that engages in quantitative reasoning and scientific inquiry, you could consider making a student group through your university. Contact the necessary administration (student engagement/student services) to create a group. We would recommend you make your university student group no later than the second semester of your first year.
    
    Whatever your group may be inspired by, you should actively work to improve at least three of the same AAMC Premed Competencies, especially hard-to-acquire skills, like “living systems”  and “scientific inquiry,” that research experiences cover. 
    
• Seek out Research Postering and Conference Opportunities
  • Ask STEM departments, professors, and peers for more information!
    
• Continue to apply for research opportunities, starting your first or second semester.

HSAFP Extracurricular Pro Tip:

Make sure to make every extracurricular activity count! Choose activities that you will be actively involved in and improve a few skills—not just one!—needed to be a successful medical school student. This strategy will help your schedule and thus your mental health!