Advice for TOO MUCH (???) research?

[kitkat13]

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Hi everyone!

I switched last semester from being on the PhD track to the MD track after I realized I really, really like working directly with people versus mice 🙂

I was wondering would it be weird to have 2-3 letters of rec from my PIs in college? I had a sustained research experience, and when I apply next year, I will have 3 summer research experiences (amgen, surp).

I think these letters are strong, and are from good institutions, but I was wondering would it be "weird" to include these research experience recs? Though obviously, I don't want a PhD anymore, I think they greatly helped me develop as a person, and it was a huge part of my undergraduate experience.

Thank you!

 

[eteshoe]

Are you interested in MD/PhD at all?

 

[mimelim]

Hi everyone!

I switched last semester from being on the PhD track to the MD track after I realized I really, really like working directly with people versus mice 🙂

I was wondering would it be weird to have 2-3 letters of rec from my PIs in college? I had a sustained research experience, and when I apply next year, I will have 3 summer research experiences (amgen, surp).

I think these letters are strong, and are from good institutions, but I was wondering would it be "weird" to include these research experience recs? Though obviously, I don't want a PhD anymore, I think they greatly helped me develop as a person, and it was a huge part of my undergraduate experience.

Thank you!

It would not be weird at all and as long as you still fulfill the other LOR requirements that schools will have, it will be perfectly fine.

Anyone that has a robust research background will always have to answer the question, "Why medicine not research?" As long as you can clearly explain this (and it is in your PS), there is no such thing as "too much research". The biggest concern is when an applicant can't really explain why they are interested in clinical medicine and just keep repeating, "I like science! I like helping people!" Then you start to wonder if they have any idea what they are getting into.

 

[7331poas]

The biggest concern is when an applicant can't really explain why they are interested in clinical medicine and just keep repeating, "I like science! I like helping people!" Then you start to wonder if they have any idea what they are getting into.

What really are the reasons that would merit entering the medical field to an interviewer? It seems to me like answering that I enjoy the concept of surgery and the teaching/academic environment of medicine is not a compelling interest?

 

[mimelim]

What really are the reasons that would merit entering the medical field to an interviewer? It seems to me like answering that I enjoy the concept of surgery and the teaching/academic environment of medicine is not a compelling interest?

I think that one can get away with a lot of reasons when asked. The main thing to get across is that this is a conscious decision and you have at least a reasonable understanding of what physicians do daily, so you aren't simply following some naive quest. There are a lot of people that are applying to medical school because they want the prestige or they got it into their head as a kid, or their parents pushed them to. There is nothing to say that they won't make great future physicians. But, they are at higher risk of simply being miserable and not finishing their training because of it. We just want to shield those people at least somewhat from themselves.

For example, I interviewed an applicant a couple of years ago and I asked, "Why are you interested in medicine?" It was answered with, "I like solving mysteries and figuring out what is wrong with people." Later I went to, "Any idea what you might be interested in going into?" And they responded, "Oh, definitely diagnostics. I really want to take care of one patient at a time and really figure out what is happening to them." At that point I resisted the temptation to ask if they were interviewing at Princeton-Plainsboro...

Personally, I like to hear about life long learning, helping people, being a team leader etc. I don't mind when people talk about financial security, as long as there are some other motivators as well.

 

[crunchywhit]

It would not be weird at all and as long as you still fulfill the other LOR requirements that schools will have, it will be perfectly fine.

Anyone that has a robust research background will always have to answer the question, "Why medicine not research?" As long as you can clearly explain this (and it is in your PS), there is no such thing as "too much research". The biggest concern is when an applicant can't really explain why they are interested in clinical medicine and just keep repeating, "I like science! I like helping people!" Then you start to wonder if they have any idea what they are getting into.

This. I applied to MD having already completed a PhD and postdoc. I was always asked "Why not research? Why medicine instead?" at interviews. Adequate shadowing and clinical exposure for you will be extra important.

 

[Swish16]

I don't think you can have too much research. I think having the realization that you prefer medicine over basic science is an interesting point you could include in a personal statement. Just make sure to cover all the bases in terms of hospital volunteering, shadowing and other valuable clinical experiences.