Is academic research an important part of the admissions process? How do you know if it’s right for your student? And how do you find a position that fits your student’s interests?

We cover all of these topics and more in today’s episode with Dr. Robert Malkin, Professor of the Practice of Biomedical Engineering and Global Health, Emeritus at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina.  He is also the Academic Director of the International Research Institute of North Carolina. Dr. Malkin was the founder and Director of Engineering World Health and The Global Public Service Academies, organizations dedicated to improving healthcare in the developing world. 

Dr. Malkin talks to The College Spy about why academic research can help a college application stand out from the crowd. He also explains why experienced mentorship is so crucial to a research position. You’ll learn the importance of correct citation of your research and why apprenticeship is the key method to learn research skills. 

Dr. Malkin published a helpful guide for high school students looking to get into academic research that we highly recommend. Link below.

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Tip of the Day: Think about whether a large university is right for your student. These schools often have wide varieties of majors and student organizations but some students feel that it takes time to find their place and get to know professors. Visit large, small and medium sized colleges to get a feel for what is best.

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College Spotlight: Northeastern University

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Key points in this episode:

2:57 Meet Dr. Robert Malkin

6:40 The best ways to get research positions

10:55 The importance of mentorship

13:08 Why your mentor matters more than the institution name

17:40 Why networking matters in research

19:30 How important is research to getting in?

22:00 Is research a good fit?

23:40 Goals for academic research

26: 37 Tip of the Day

27:45 College Spotlight on Northeastern University

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Read the podcast transcript: https://thecollegespy.com/podcast

Learn more about The College Spy and the admissions advisory services- Go to The College Spy Website

Learn more about Dr. Malkin

Buy "A Guide to Academic Research for High School Students: Finding and Managing Your Lab Experience"

Contact Michelle McAnaney at [email protected]