Hey everybody! My name is Sruthi, and I am a first-year MRADS student studying Computer Science and Entrepreneurship! As you’re applying to MRADS, you’re probably wondering what support you’ll receive along the course of the research project, especially if you’ve never done research before. Undertaking a research project seems like a big task but MRADS makes it way more approachable.
Orientation Week:
You’ll be moving in on one of the earliest move-in dates of the year. While this might feel like a bummer, spending that first week before classes here was one of the best decisions I made. That extra week really helps you get settled into campus and make friends on the MRADS floor as you attend MRADS 101, Resume + Cover Letter Workshop, Peer Mentor/Peer Advisor group meetups and more. There’s always something going on this week so check out the UMich Events page and take all the opportunities to stay up and hang out before classes start. I’d also recommend going down to the Detroit Observatory, right down Observatory Street which hosts public viewings every Friday Night.
ALA 104:
Every MLC has a class that is associated with it. Our class, ALA 104 taught by the best, MRADS Director Dr. Glover, goes over the fundamentals of research, from zero to being Spring Symposium ready. We go over topics such as interview prep, interdisciplinary research, writing abstracts, project management, and more. We also engage in a common read across the class. This year we read The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and discussed the ethical implications of that medical research which I found quite interesting. Other assignments have included going to the UMMA and the Natural History Museum to observe exhibits, learning about the library and literature reviews with the MRADS librarian Angie and interviewing a researcher about their work. Around this time, you also have the opportunity to apply to NCUR, which is an undergraduate research conference and if you are accepted, MRADS completely pays for it!
PAs + Spring Semester:
ALA 104 is a fall semester class but the support definitely doesn’t stop spring semester! Your Peer Advisors (PAs) will check in with you once a month to discuss your research and any concerns you have. In the spring semester, you’ll have the opportunity to go to MRADS alumni weekend where extremely cool and successful alumni come back to speak to us about life after college and how MRADS has affected that trajectory. We also have some amazing professors volunteer their time to do research seminars, where they go over their research and host an AMA which gave me a lot of clarity on how to approach my undergraduate research. Finally in the months leading up to the symposium, MRADS staff hosts workshops on creating posters, public speaking, science communication and symposium practice all culminating in the Spring Symposium
Final Words:
No matter how scary it might seem initially, research at MRADS is designed for everyone to feel supported throughout the process! By being in this MLC, you’re in good hands with finding a tight-knit first year community and finding that academic success.
Thank you for reading. I hope to see you in the MRADS community next year!
