800+ hours of research with nothing to show for it...

[dkpremed]

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ok so I have 800+ hours of research accumulated during two school years but I dont have a poster, presentation, or publication to show for my time there. Well actually, work is suppose to be published with my data this coming fall but it will already be well into the application cycle for that.


Does this hurt my chances at a lot of schools?
Do you think it raises a flag or will I be asked why didn't I do anything?

My other info is a 3.9GPA and 32 MCAT with average ECs (I have clinical volunteering, shadowing, etc.)

To be honest I just wasn't given the opportunity in my lab. But I did work my A** off doing more bench research then I ever want to do again.

thanks,
dk

 

[Doctor Strange]

You're fine.

 

[Plue00]

ok so I have 800+ hours of research accumulated during two school years but I dont have a poster, presentation, or publication to show for my time there. Well actually, work is suppose to be published with my data this coming fall but it will already be well into the application cycle for that.


Does this hurt my chances at a lot of schools?
Do you think it raises a flag or will I be asked why didn't I do anything?

My other info is a 3.9GPA and 32 MCAT with average ECs (I have clinical volunteering, shadowing, etc.)

To be honest I just wasn't given the opportunity in my lab. But I did work my A** off doing more bench research then I ever want to do again.

thanks,
dk

Correct me if I'm wrong (I probably am), but I saw people on here say that most MD/PhD candidates don't have any publications going in. With that GPA/MCAT, you should be fine. And if you're applying just MD, you're set.

 

[Jimsy]

ok so I have 800+ hours of research accumulated during two school years but I dont have a poster, presentation, or publication to show for my time there. Well actually, work is suppose to be published with my data this coming fall but it will already be well into the application cycle for that.


Does this hurt my chances at a lot of schools?
Do you think it raises a flag or will I be asked why didn't I do anything?

My other info is a 3.9GPA and 32 MCAT with average ECs (I have clinical volunteering, shadowing, etc.)

To be honest I just wasn't given the opportunity in my lab. But I did work my A** off doing more bench research then I ever want to do again.

thanks,
dk

You're good to go! Your research experience seems substantial and the number of hours you invested to it shows that you have dedication 👍

 

[shishy]

I think it's okay as everyone else said but make sure you are capable of talking about your research to adcoms because it will probably be brought up. Explain why you did things/experimental design/etc. Should be straightforward since you seemed to be doing it for a while but just a reminder not to forget it or blow it off haha

 

[plumhill]

According to the dean of admissions at my med school, at this stage all that matters is that you can talk about your research intelligently and show what you've learned from it. You'll get a higher research "score" if you published/presented, but not having a publication/presentation isn't going to hold you back.

 

[medschoolmyname]

Plumhill hit the nail on the head. Ive been doing research with a professor, not as many hours as you have done, but I have a very good and deep understanding of the overall project and my role within it. Remember most adcoms are probably not going to know a lot about your specific research (saying this cause professors typically have very specific projects). In the interview just be able to describe what you did and the significance towards the project.

According to the dean of admissions at my med school, at this stage all that matters is that you can talk about your research intelligently and show what you've learned from it. You'll get a higher research "score" if you published/presented, but not having a publication/presentation isn't going to hold you back.

 

[dkpremed]

thanks for all this great info!

I guess I have just been reading too much on "What are My Chances" and it just seemed everyone had a poster or publication, but I should know that SDNers aren't a representation of the majority. I feel much better now 😀

 

[medschoolmyname]

Lol a publication is great to have, but keep in mind sometimes people get to do research but the project takes a lot of time to get done, even to the point where the student has to graduate or can't committ more time to it.

 

[catzzz88]

ok so I have 800+ hours of research accumulated during two school years but I dont have a poster, presentation, or publication to show for my time there. Well actually, work is suppose to be published with my data this coming fall but it will already be well into the application cycle for that.
Does this hurt my chances at a lot of schools?
Do you think it raises a flag or will I be asked why didn't I do anything?
dk

I just want to put this into perspective: 800 hours is the equivalent to 5 months at 40 hours/week (a full time job).

It takes more than 5 months of hard-core research to get a publication. Many people work for at least a year, some even two years (full time!) before they see any hint of a publication.

Do not feel pressured to get a publication, but you CAN take more initiative with the poster presentation...

Best,
C

 

[Planes2Doc]

Sounds like most pre-meds.

The word of the day is: EMBELLISH