AMCAS app: How is your research description different in 15 items vs. res desc essay?

[Sonya]

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Hi,

Well it seems we have 2 places to describe each of our research projects - the 15 items, and in one of the MSTP parts essays.

How did the responses differ. I know the 15 items should be tailored to MDs, while the research desc should be tailored to PhD in your field. but, beyond that, did you still mostly stick to o nly describing the science of the research/your contribution in the 15 items?

thanks,
s

 

[huseyin]

Hi,

Well it seems we have 2 places to describe each of our research projects - the 15 items, and in one of the MSTP parts essays.

How did the responses differ. I know the 15 items should be tailored to MDs, while the research desc should be tailored to PhD in your field. but, beyond that, did you still mostly stick to o nly describing the science of the research/your contribution in the 15 items?

thanks,
s

The research description in 15 items are completely different than MD/PhD research essay. My Md/PhD research essay is like a little simplified abstract or the discussion part of a paper.
On the other hand, 15 item research part is just an essay for dumbs. Honestly, mine is like an explanation that you can find in a newspaper. I even avoided to use terms like" microarray" , "transformation".

I thin there is also the issue of length. I used pretty much all the space provided for research essay which is around 10,000 ch. Therefore, I explained some of the technical terms if I use any. But, I assumed that the audience is doing research and has either a MD or PhD. Therefore, I have used the terms like "phosphorylation" "cell line" "luciferase reporter assay" "transgenic mice" etc.

 

[Sonya]

The research description in 15 items are completely different than MD/PhD research essay. My Md/PhD research essay is like a little simplified abstract or the discussion part of a paper.
On the other hand, 15 item research part is just an essay for dumbs. Honestly, mine is like an explanation that you can find in a newspaper. I even avoided to use terms like" microarray" , "transformation".

I thin there is also the issue of length. I used pretty much all the space provided for research essay which is around 10,000 ch. Therefore, I explained some of the technical terms if I use any. But, I assumed that the audience is doing research and has either a MD or PhD. Therefore, I have used the terms like "phosphorylation" "cell line" "luciferase reporter assay" "transgenic mice" etc.

okay, thanks. mine is kindof like that, except not that extreme. my 15 items are tailored to a scientifically familiear, but not expert audience. I probably wont use the entire 10K for MSTP either- but I haven't started it (though i've alread written detailed desc of my research elsewhere).

But, what I was getting at, is in your 15 items, did you do things besides include res desc. Ie, after each items, I had what I gained from it, etc. Ie, improved presentaiton abilites, became inspired to research career, saw what it was like to live a life as a researcher...

 

[huseyin]

okay, thanks. mine is kindof like that, except not that extreme. my 15 items are tailored to a scientifically familiear, but not expert audience. I probably wont use the entire 10K for MSTP either- but I haven't started it (though i've alread written detailed desc of my research elsewhere).

But, what I was getting at, is in your 15 items, did you do things besides include res desc. Ie, after each items, I had what I gained from it, etc. Ie, improved presentaiton abilites, became inspired to research career, saw what it was like to live a life as a researcher...

I included how I improved my skills as a researcher in my Md/PhD essay. If you like, PM me I can send my essays to you.