While research isn’t a strict requirement for pre-health programs, it adds significant value to your application. It demonstrates your ability to think critically, analyze data, solve complex problems, and work as part of a team—skills that closely mirror clinical decision-making.
Research can help you explore interests beyond the classroom, understand the scientific process, and even lead to presentations or publications. It also strengthens key competencies like scientific inquiry and evidence-based reasoning.
Getting Started
Research can happen on or off campus, during the academic year or over summer. Some students pursue research internships, fellowships, or even take a growth year to work in a lab setting. Capstone projects, honors theses, and independent study also count as research experiences.
Opportunities aren’t limited to your major, or even to STEM. What’s most important is that you’re engaged, learning, and able to reflect on how your experience connects to your future in healthcare.
- Explore your academic college: Many faculty in the College of Health Sciences, CELS, Pharmacy, and others conduct research. Check department websites or lab pages to see ongoing projects.
- When you take a class, build relationships with your faculty, especially those that might have their own research initiatives or labs on campus. Use our guide on how to ask faculty members to be a part of their research.
- Most faculty want students to commit to multiple semesters of research if they take you on as a research assistant. This way, you have more opportunities to see your initiatives happen, and have the opportunity to be a part of a publication or paper.
- Consider research assistant roles at larger organizations, including RI’s largest hospital system, Brown University Health. Their careers website often has part time paid research assistant roles available.
Pre-Health Tip:
Building strong relationships with research mentors is key—they may later write letters of recommendation for your application.