Continue current research or find new research

[EdgeTrimmer]

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My son who is a sophomore has been doing research for last 4 semesters (plus summer) and expecting to complete his current project and first author paper by end of this semester. He is not sure if he should continue in the same lab or seek out new opportunities. His current research is computational research and he would like to get some clinical research experience also. This summer he is working in different lab thru exchange program. Is it better to continue in same lab or better to look for new opportunities from personal growth and admissions point of view?

 

[TheAverageDoctor]

Speaking from my own experience:

I had bench research and clinical research before applying to med school. I also had started a business that I started with my family and built for 3-4 years. In my interviews, I didn't get a single question on my research. I did get a question from every interviewer about the business, though.

It sounds like your son has great experience so far. One of the bigger factors than just "research" is "consistent interest in something". Having 4 semesters plus summer and a paper definitely shows that. There should be no issue with continuing on that project or switching to something new if that's what he's interested in.

There is something to be said about having clinical experience, though. Whether research or not, having experience in the clinical world does a lot to show admissions people that even though you're an economics major (like me) you still definitely want to be a doctor.

 

[stubblesmcgee]

He's probably better off pursuing whatever research he enjoys. It won't make a big difference in admissions in all likelihood, but he'll enjoy it more and may end up being more productive. If it makes any difference, clinical research can usually pump out papers faster than bench, unless he ends up working with people who tend to only do multi-year studies (this is basically what happened to me). That shouldn't be a guiding factor though as there's never any guarantees.

 

[EdgeTrimmer]

He's probably better off pursuing whatever research he enjoys. It won't make a big difference in admissions in all likelihood, but he'll enjoy it more and may end up being more productive. If it makes any difference, clinical research can usually pump out papers faster than bench, unless he ends up working with people who tend to only do multi-year studies (this is basically what happened to me). That shouldn't be a guiding factor though as there's never any guarantees.

He does have multiple interests and whichever he starts he puts full effort and shows results but the same time we pay attention what's required for admissions as well. He wants to get more clinical research experience and pumping out more papers 🙂 He was 4th or 5th author in a clinical research paper already (HS work) but was published few months back.

 

[EdgeTrimmer]

Speaking from my own experience:

I had bench research and clinical research before applying to med school. I also had started a business that I started with my family and built for 3-4 years. In my interviews, I didn't get a single question on my research. I did get a question from every interviewer about the business, though.

It sounds like your son has great experience so far. One of the bigger factors than just "research" is "consistent interest in something". Having 4 semesters plus summer and a paper definitely shows that. There should be no issue with continuing on that project or switching to something new if that's what he's interested in.

There is something to be said about having clinical experience, though. Whether research or not, having experience in the clinical world does a lot to show admissions people that even though you're an economics major (like me) you still definitely want to be a doctor.

His current project will end this semester. He needs to ask his PI for new project or look for other labs. His PI would love to have him continue. Is having LORs from multiple researchers help with T20 admissions?

 

[cantankerous]

His current project will end this semester. He needs to ask his PI for new project or look for other labs. His PI would love to have him continue. Is having LORs from multiple researchers help with T20 admissions?

An LOR from a top researcher helps the most with T20 admissions. Unless he can really relate to this research experience and can really make himself standout with the way he describes it, then he should look for other opportunities. In the end, most research is only worth a couple lines in an interview unless he can really show his passion for it and how it shaped him, his premed path, and his future ambitions. Otherwise, it's just another line in the resume that will be glossed over before, during, and after interview.

 

[TheAverageDoctor]

His current project will end this semester. He needs to ask his PI for new project or look for other labs. His PI would love to have him continue. Is having LORs from multiple researchers help with T20 admissions?

I can't speak to top 20. I can't say that you can achieve anything in medicine through hard work regardless of your medical school (unless it's something completely dependent on relationships you form at your program). I know DO students who outpace MDs on their specialty boards. Caribbean students who matched in competitive specialties over MD students. Low tier MD school students who also outperformed those in top classes.

Personally I wouldn't worry as much about getting into a top program so much as getting into the school you want to get into. Stay close to home, far from home, in a specific climate, near friends, least expensive school, etc. etc.. Work hard and you can succeed anywhere.