Do not worry about reseach experience. I interviewed at NUMS in early January of this year. On my interview day, I met two fellow interviewees from the same undergraduate institition as me. After the interview, we met at *Borders Bookstore* and talked. Of the three of us, I was the only one with research experience. The other two HAD NO prior research experience. I mean absolutely none. So, although both UC and NUMS are ranked very high in terms of research, I think they consider applicants without any research experience because they want a diverse class (i.e., students with different experiences). I ENCOURAGE YOU to apply to both schools. In fact, I think the best thing to do is to always apply to a school when in doubt because you never know if you will be accepted.
I wish I could tell you the final decision on all three of us. I can only tell you I was accepted. I suspect if my fellow interviewees were not accepted it was not because of research experience. Good luck to you. PLEASE REALIZE RESEARCH EXPERIENCE (I.E. AN INDEPENDENT PROJECT) IS NOT A PREREQUISITE AT ANY MEDICAL SCHOOL. Research experience, however, definitely helps your application.
