Applying to top research schools but not having research in PS?

[zogoto]

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I am applying to top research schools, which obviously value research. Although research is one of the main reasons I want to be a doctor, I'm having trouble making it fit in my PS because my PS is mostly about listening and compassion, things that are not really related to research. My whole app is extremely science-heavy so I don't think they'll doubt my commitment or interest in science, but is it strange to not say anything about why you like research or that you even want to do it?

 

[scattun]

Considering that those schools accept students every year who don't have any research, I don't think omitting it from your ps will cause them to exclude your application. Besides, you will the opportunity to talk about research in the school specific secondaries and interviews.

 

[nick_carraway]

I agree with scattun. Keep in mind that these are medical schools first and foremost. The importance of listening and compassion in medicine will be appreciated by readers of your PS.

 

[zogoto]

I agree that Harvard, Hopkins etc. accept people every year with little or no research experience, but that's not really part of the package that I'm trying to sell. I guess I'm worried that it is such a huge part of my application and the implicit "why you should take me" that not having it in the PS and connecting it to the rest of my life would be strange.

 

[ChubbyChaser]

Thats what the EC descriptions are for. THe intricacies of some mouse neuron woopiedie dos, probably did not prompt you to apply to med school. Focus your PS on what did force you to apply.

 

[scattun]

We all have a single page (give or take) to explain all of motivations for pursuing medicine, give a brief overview or experiences and what we have learned from them, and address any shortcomings/hardships in our lives. Something is going to have to be left out. Therefore, I don't think it will be strange to exclude research (assuming of course that whatever you are actually saying in the PS are based on actual experiences and not just fanciful hypotheticals). Having said that, you need to be happy with your own PS, so if you feel like it doesn't accurately represent you, then maybe it's time to go back to the drawing board, and try to write one, that does include research.

 

[zogoto]

Well my essay is sort of like this: I did X while volunteering and was like "wow I love connecting with people and talking to them and helping them!!" Inspired by this experience, I wanted to start using the science I knew to help others so I started doing research. Research was cool and interesting, but what really got me going was the chance to use it to help others. So I spent more time exploring the clinical side of medicine....[and then it goes back to touchy-feely type stuff]

So it's not like research isn't in there now, it just doesn't fit perfectly...

 

[schizosquirrel]

I think that's fine. I'm pretty research heavy and have probably less impressive clinical experience (at least by quantity). I mentioned science similarly...more so that I found meaning for my work when I started seeing patients. My motivation for doing it was to show I was interested in science, but first and foremost to display that I'd be a good doctor and had the desire to take that passion to the clinic. I think if you write an essay focused on mianly research, it justifies you more so applying for a PhD program than a MD program. You're really trying to justify: why medicine? I think concentrating on these other ideas (while still mentioning your research and listing it in your activities) lets ADCOMS know you are a good scientist, but also a good scientist who actually wants to be a doctor. Some applicants jumble those two ideas and I think the PS is a better place to highlight non-research experiences/insights anyway.

 

[LAman10]

Hm, I guess this might apply to the OP (and it def applies to me), but I'm applying to such schools and I did mention research in my PS. however, I said that even though I loved research, it didn't give me the complete satisfaction I was looking for. Then I realized that I like the whole interacting with people and compassion part of medicine. Then I came back to say that medicine is all about having that intellectual drive and desire for personal interaction, and that medicine allows me to utilize both in career.

so in the end, I never really threw down research, but I kinda implied that it's not really what I want to do in the future (although it really does fascinate me). Would this be frowned upon by top schools? Honestly, I can't imagine that eveyrone who applies there intends to do research, but can putting something like this in my PS negatively impact me?