Benefits of research without...

[ChubbyChaser]

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So, I know to get into a lot of schools, research really helps out. My question is, how much does it help if you do research say for 1 -2 years, and dont get published. Currently I am a junior and am in my second semester of conducting research with one of the faculty of our pharmacy school, but idk if this will eventually lead to a publication or not. I know he expects me to present a poster or something locally.

I enjoy this research, but honestly there are other things i enjoy more (sleeping, basketball, etc.) So if this doesnt lead me to a publication, is it even worth doing? and if yes, how much do you think it improves my chances?

Thanks in advance

 

[TheRealMD]

I've had an interview where the only criticism of my app was that I didn't do research. Didn't really say why it was important, but meh?

 

[BigRedPremed]

So, I know to get into a lot of schools, research really helps out. My question is, how much does it help if you do research say for 1 -2 years, and dont get published. Currently I am a junior and am in my second semester of conducting research with one of the faculty of our pharmacy school, but idk if this will eventually lead to a publication or not. I know he expects me to present a poster or something locally.

I enjoy this research, but honestly there are other things i enjoy more (sleeping, basketball, etc.) So if this doesnt lead me to a publication, is it even worth doing? and if yes, how much do you think it improves my chances?

Thanks in advance

If you think research is worthless without a publication, then you don't understand why medical schools want to see research. They know you're not going to cure cancer. Their main concern is not that you are able to achieve publishable results. What they want to see is that you developed problem-solving skills, understanding of scientific concepts, knowledge of basic techniques, a sense of responsibility, and a general awareness of what it's like to have to schedule your life around your research. These are skills that will help you when you become a physician and these are skills that you should develop whether you get a publication or not.

 

[ChubbyChaser]

hmmm...

I understand that. The scientific method is applicable as a MD, but I have just read and heard such a big emphasis on getting published and becoming a first author, that I was just wondering about how medical schools will view my situation

 

[Depakote]

So, I know to get into a lot of schools, research really helps out. My question is, how much does it help if you do research say for 1 -2 years, and dont get published. Currently I am a junior and am in my second semester of conducting research with one of the faculty of our pharmacy school, but idk if this will eventually lead to a publication or not. I know he expects me to present a poster or something locally.

I enjoy this research, but honestly there are other things i enjoy more (sleeping, basketball, etc.) So if this doesnt lead me to a publication, is it even worth doing? and if yes, how much do you think it improves my chances?

Thanks in advance

Publications are like the currency of research. They're a way to track how much you've done and what you've done. Later on, if you haven't published, you might as well not have done anything... At this point, it does help to have the experience even if you won't have your name on anything and the poster presentation will help. The research you are doing now is a good extracurricular for you to talk about. You'll be able to write about it and you'll be able to discuss it in interviews. It is worth doing... a publication at this level would just be a big bonus.

 

[ChubbyChaser]

So basically, while getting published is great, but the actual process that goes into the research is more important in the eyes of the ADCOMS?

 

[Ashers]

So basically, while getting published is great, but the actual process that goes into the research is more important in the eyes of the ADCOMS?

I hope that stands for residency too... I did research in undergrad, my stuff hasn't been published yet (I've been told it will be in the future, but that was 3-4 years ago). I also did research in med school between M1 and M2 year -- not published, but I got a poster presentation with an abstract. =(

I'm still really hoping for the undergrad stuff to get published.

I don't think I talked about my undergrad research at any of my med school interviews, but it did help me get the research position during med school with a lot of responsibility because I knew a lot of techniques already.

 

[cuponoodles]

So basically, while getting published is great, but the actual process that goes into the research is more important in the eyes of the ADCOMS?

yep, that is right. this ain't your homemade-mom-helped-you-build-it experiment. it's at least a little bit cool to do something that might CREATE new knowledge in a field isn't it?

 

[Law2Doc]

hmmm...

I understand that. The scientific method is applicable as a MD, but I have just read and heard such a big emphasis on getting published and becoming a first author, that I was just wondering about how medical schools will view my situation

The majority of premeds applying to med school won't be published. And it is a minute portion of these who are first author. So if you are, that's great, but certainly not an expectation. The schools that like research like to see that you have an interest in that area, and know what it is about. Having some research experience and getting a nice LOR from your PI should be the goal. Getting published at this stage is icing on the cake. Getting first author is sprinkles on the icing.

 

[ChubbyChaser]

😉Yup, as much new knowledge as a 20 year old undergrad can, lol

 

[Law2Doc]

I hope that stands for residency too... I did research in undergrad, my stuff hasn't been published yet (I've been told it will be in the future, but that was 3-4 years ago). I also did research in med school between M1 and M2 year -- not published, but I got a poster presentation with an abstract. =(

I'm still really hoping for the undergrad stuff to get published.

I don't think I talked about my undergrad research at any of my med school interviews, but it did help me get the research position during med school with a lot of responsibility because I knew a lot of techniques already.

Publications certainly play more of a role at the med school level. For certain specialties, it is not unheard of for folks to take off a year after second year to dedicate toward research and publication to make themselves more competitive. This matters more for the ultra competitive specialties.

 

[Ashers]

Publications certainly play more of a role at the med school level. For certain specialties, it is not unheard of for folks to take off a year after second year to dedicate toward research and publication to make themselves more competitive. This matters more for the ultra competitive specialties.

Yeah, good thing I intend on going into ortho. 🙄 (The poster research was in ortho, I'm sure not taking any time off to do any more research).

 

[badasshairday]

Publications certainly play more of a role at the med school level. For certain specialties, it is not unheard of for folks to take off a year after second year to dedicate toward research and publication to make themselves more competitive. This matters more for the ultra competitive specialties.

That is not cool.

So Asher's took his last summer of freedom between M1 and M2 to research?!
Basically that means no summer vacation at all..... And I heard there is no summer break between M2/M3 and M3/M4....

All work and no play makes badasshairday sad.

 

[Ashers]

That is not cool.

So Asher's took his last summer of freedom between M1 and M2 to research?!
Basically that means no summer vacation at all..... And I heard there is no summer break between M2/M3 and M3/M4....

All work and no play makes badasshairday sad.

I'm a girl. 😉 Half my class did the Med Student Summer Research Program that year. Between M2/M3 year, I had 2 weeks off after boards. M4 year I'll have vacation.

Edit: The research was fun, but I really don't want to do any more research. That's one reason I decided to not go into a PhD in immunology.

 

[Law2Doc]

That is not cool.

So Asher's took his last summer of freedom between M1 and M2 to research?!
Basically that means no summer vacation at all..... And I heard there is no summer break between M2/M3 and M3/M4....

All work and no play makes badasshairday sad.

Tons of med students spend the summer between M1 and M2 researching. Not all can get a publication out in that time interval. If you are close, it probably benefits you to try and squeeze in additional research time during the subsequent year. Between M2 and M3 many med schools are "off" but folks will be using all or most of that time studying for Step 1. There is no break between M3 and M4 at most places, although M4s can usually schedule down time more easily than any other year, once they match.

 

[etf]

The majority of premeds applying to med school won't be published. And it is a minute portion of these who are first author. So if you are, that's great, but certainly not an expectation. The schools that like research like to see that you have an interest in that area, and know what it is about. Having some research experience and getting a nice LOR from your PI should be the goal. Getting published at this stage is icing on the cake. Getting first author is sprinkles on the icing.

actually, i'd see a first-author publication in a decently reputable journal as a whole different cake, much akin to a $3.50 red velvet cupcake from a gourmet bakery, as opposed to the cupcakes they sell at safeway 6 for $2.

 

[ChubbyChaser]

What if you think the 6 for $2 is a better deal, thus you would rather have that?😀