Advice needed!

[misslala]

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Hi everyone, I really need an advice about my situation:

I've been doing research at two labs at the same time, i started working in one of the labs for 2years and started another one this summer... although the experience of doing research really enhanced my academic experience, i havent had any publications yet.. there is a possibility of having one by april, but im not sure my strict pi will include my name on it (this is obviously not in my power).

I'm technically graduating end of march and the grad student from my second lab asked if i could stay with him working until june to get published in his paper. HOWEVER, i need to retake the mcat and apply by June 1st....

My first score 9PS 9VR 11BS, sgpa 3.8 its been a while since i took the mcat (more than 1year)
im really worried, what should i do, is it better to retake the mcat or publish? also do u guys think its possible to do both at the same time?

any advice will be appreciated! thank you

 

[jc235693]

If it is purely for med school admissions than it is probably better to get as high as you can on the MCAT, a significant improvement would really help your chances getting into higher tier schools. You have a ton of research and getting a publication probably wouldn't make your research look all that much better. So as long as you have good clinical and volunteer experiences you probably have a great application. That being said if you are considering a dual MD/PhD or a school with a strong emphasis on research then it might be worth it to try to get that publication and study for the MCAT at the same time, as these programs often require high MCAT scores. Good luck!

 

[masscrash]

You sound really solid as a med school applicant. I am a graduate student and did research and am in the process of getting my article written. As for you being published. Usually only people that work on the article are the authors. You could do all the work but if your professor puts the data together and writes a paper then he/she doesn't have to put you as an author. You will undoubtedly get a special mention or thanks in the back of the paper. If you wanted to get authorship I would write out something that the other authors don't want to do. I would start with writing the Methods since you were in the lab and are familiar with these. As for, will this help you get into med school, no probably not. But I have heard it helps you get residencies and will ultimately help you get a job, especially if it is at a research hospital.
As for your MCAT, like JC said it really depends on the school your trying to get into. I don't think you will have a problem getting into a school but it might not be your first pick. Good luck