Summer research in Toronto

[avocado851]

Hi everyone- I'm a med student at Schulich (Western) and am trying to find summer research in Toronto but have had no luck. I've emailed several researchers both at WCH and St. Michael's for KRSS but havent really gotten anywhere. I'm starting to get a little stressed out as summer is coming up and I feel I should have secured something by now. I have a decent CV and past research experience so I'm not quite sure what I'm doing wrong.

I'm looking for some suggestions on anything else I could try or other places I could contact. Ideally I want to get involved in some clinical research but at this point I'd be up for anything where I can get some good experience and be productive. Staying in London for the summer isn't really an option which is why I'm keen on doing something in Toronto.

I apologize if this post is vague- any help or some direction would be much appreciated. 

[IMislove]

I feel you, took me a bunch of emails to finally lock something down (not Toronto but still big research Center). You can keep trying emails, also can try admin assistants and they may forward it to them which may be easier for them to see. Also you can see if specialist at your uni has connections that they can pull as well, if you have a good relationship with them. Best of luck.

btw try not to make the email too generic, like include you really want to explore the speciality, and mention the something about what that persons interest is that is also your interest. Hope that does it for yah. 

[m_jacob_45]

Did you apply for the WCH summer student research program? I'm not sure if that's what you're referring to, but I thought it was great! 

[avocado851]

1 hour ago, m_jacob_45 said:

Did you apply for the WCH summer student research program? I'm not sure if that's what you're referring to, but I thought it was great! 

Ya, I applied to this one! I was REALLY hoping to hear back from WCH for the summer student research program bc it sounded really cool but I haven’t gotten a response yet so I’m assuming it’s a no go  

[avocado851]

21 hours ago, IMislove said:

I feel you, took me a bunch of emails to finally lock something down (not Toronto but still big research Center). You can keep trying emails, also can try admin assistants and they may forward it to them which may be easier for them to see. Also you can see if specialist at your uni has connections that they can pull as well, if you have a good relationship with them. Best of luck.

btw try not to make the email too generic, like include you really want to explore the speciality, and mention the something about what that persons interest is that is also your interest. Hope that does it for yah. 

Thanks for your reply! I feel a bit better knowing I’m not the only one having to send out a whole bunch of emails. I’ll def keep emailing and look into admin assistants too! 

[m_jacob_45]

17 minutes ago, avocado851 said:

Ya, I applied to this one! I was REALLY hoping to hear back from WCH for the summer student research program bc it sounded really cool but I haven’t gotten a response yet so I’m assuming it’s a no go  

Not sure about the timeline of things unfortunately. I heard back at the end of January, but did have another doctor call me about a month later for a different interview, so may still be ongoing. Good luck! 

[Galaxsci]

On 3/4/2020 at 4:55 PM, avocado851 said:

Thanks for your reply! I feel a bit better knowing I’m not the only one having to send out a whole bunch of emails. I’ll def keep emailing and look into admin assistants too! 

Choose a doc (could be a small group tutor, doc you met shadowing etc.) you know somewhat well in London and see if they know anybody in Toronto who might be able to take you on or set you up with their colleague. Docs tend to be well connected within their own specialties and it'll be much easier to find somebody willing to take you on when the "ask" comes from a staff doc on your behalf. Every research position I've had in med school came this way and I found it infinitely easier and more effective than cold-emailing a big list of docs.