Biomedical Research vs. Engineering Research

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I am a freshman in biocomputing engineering (basically computer engineering with physiologic signal processing/ imaging modality curriculum), and I was wondering if the ADCOM's look for biomedical research or engineering research. Right now, I am talking with a professor who is working on software for diffusor tensor imaging (DTI) for spinal cord pathology, and he needs coding done to help the program run faster.

I will do this, because this is something that will give me a ton of experience, but do ADCOM's like to see research in general, or specific types of research?

Thanks!

 

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If you get hold of the research and run with it, there are a lot of positives. The questions that ADCOMs will ask themselves are
1. Does your research reflect an aptitude for the field of medicine in general. Depending on the direction you take with your professor and the more involved you get in its applications towards medicine, you can get a lot out of it. (Biomedical engineering is an integral part of medicine)
2. More importantly in my opinion, they look for your capabilities as a critical thinker. You can show that in the form a publication or even letters from the PI.

Most Pre-med students do "wet-lab" work. But your field is no less.

In a lot of cases, PIs do not allow UGs to get very involved and relegate them to mechanical work. Stand your ground and be clear of your intentions.

Hope this helps. I went through the same thing myself. Computer science major to hardcore Biomedicine.

 

[RxnMan]

I am a freshman in biocomputing engineering (basically computer engineering with physiologic signal processing/ imaging modality curriculum), and I was wondering if the ADCOM's look for biomedical research or engineering research. Right now, I am talking with a professor who is working on software for diffusor tensor imaging (DTI) for spinal cord pathology, and he needs coding done to help the program run faster.

I will do this, because this is something that will give me a ton of experience, but do ADCOM's like to see research in general, or specific types of research?

Thanks!

ADCOMs look for 2 main things - MCAT and GPA. If forced to pick one, they'd go with grades. Your program could be the cat's meow and it could be from Haaarvard, but ADCOMs will not care. What they will care about is if you have a GPA > 3.6 (or whatever the ave. matriculant GPA is these days) and an MCAT > 30-31. The communications major who (relatively) slept through college, but earned a 3.6/30, will get more interview offers than you if your GPA/MCAT is lower, regardless of your degree, research, whatever.

Engineering, bio, chem, english, music - it's all the same to ADCOMs.

If medicine is your goal, then the priority is grades and MCAT. If you pull that off, then add a taste of research and a pinch of community service.