Do ALL schools really value service/experience more than research?

[aayz345]

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I always heard about how the top25 schools love research and how there are some schools that place high value on service (Rush, Creighton). However, I recently came across some posts that have contradicted this notion. There's a AAMC pamphlet that states that schools considered service/clinical experience to be of high importance and research to be a of medium importance.

So, which one is it lol?

 

[HomeSkool]

In general, schools consider service and clinical experience to be of greatest value. Some very research-heavy schools also place a strong emphasis on research, and pretty much all MD/PhD programs require a strong research background. But every school values the service/volunteering activities. That's how you show that you're willing to be altruistic and that you have the clinical exposure to know you want to be around patients for a long time.

 

[efle]

Rush and Stanford are both private schools. Average out their weighting of research and it'll be "medium." Don't be misled!

 

[westsidestoryz]

Similar question. Would working with people with mental disability be a high factor? Or does it have to be patient-related/underserved?

 

[ObjectiveBoba]

Rush and Stanford are both private schools. Average out their weighting of research and it'll be "medium." Don't be misled!

Definitely agree here. Different schools place emphasis on different aspects of the application. For instance, Vanderbilt told some pre-health counselors that they straight up value research more than volunteering.

I would suggest taking a look at SoM websites and figuring out what they emphasize. Deans for admissions generally keep a tight leash on how they like to present their school.

 

[CandH23]

Similar question. Would working with people with mental disability be a high factor? Or does it have to be patient-related/underserved?

I would like to know the answer to this question as well

 

[E.Hemingway]

Similar question. Would working with people with mental disability be a high factor? Or does it have to be patient-related/underserved?

I would like to know the answer to this question as well

I think people suffering from mental disabilities / illnesses are considered underserved. Is it clinical?

 

[LizzyM]

It wasn't in a patient setting, it was basically an adult daycare program for the mentally challenged and disabled of all different reasons(alzheimer's, autism, down syndrome, insanity)

Not a patient setting, then it is employment or volunteer, non-clinical. That said, it is a valuable experience as knowing more about the human experience is of great value. I'd place that above a volunteer activity that did not take you out of your comfort zone (e.g. volunteering as a coach or leader in a group you belonged to as a child).

 

[CandH23]

Not a patient setting, then it is employment or volunteer, non-clinical. That said, it is a valuable experience as knowing more about the human experience is of great value. I'd place that above a volunteer activity that did not take you out of your comfort zone (e.g. volunteering as a coach or leader in a group you belonged to as a child).

Thank you LizzyM for the clear explanation!

 

[aayz345]

Definitely agree here. Different schools place emphasis on different aspects of the application. For instance, Vanderbilt told some pre-health counselors that they straight up value research more than volunteering.

I would suggest taking a look at SoM websites and figuring out what they emphasize. Deans for admissions generally keep a tight leash on how they like to present their school.

What if you already have a decent research background? Can you go into more service such as Americorps and still be alright for research based schools? I did a summer research internship during senior year of high school (poster), 1.5 years of research at undergrad institution (strong LOR), and will be going on an expense-paid research trip to Costa Rica this Spring for 1 full week (will present research to a community college).

 

[Robin-jay]

Just have BOTH patient experiences and research. Why not just do both. then you don't have to worry.

 

[aayz345]

Not a patient setting, then it is employment or volunteer, non-clinical. That said, it is a valuable experience as knowing more about the human experience is of great value. I'd place that above a volunteer activity that did not take you out of your comfort zone (e.g. volunteering as a coach or leader in a group you belonged to as a child).

Would working as a behavior therapist count as helping the underserved?

 

[DameJulie]

Pretty sure not ALL school looks that way. However, more people get into med school w/o research than people get into med school w/o service experience. I actually don't know anyone who got accepted w/o any kind of volunteering/clinical exposure.

 

[calivianya]

At this point, I'm of the opinion that what really matters is that your application is balanced. Have good clinical exposure, shadowing, community service, and research, and you'll be in good shape.

 

[LizzyM]

Would working as a behavior therapist count as helping the underserved?

I went to the definition of
Underserved Population
from Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (2010)

"The term ‘underserved population’ means the population of an area designated by the Secretary as an area with a shortage of elder justice programs or a population group designated by the Secretary as having a shortage of such programs. Such areas or groups designated by the Secretary may include—
‘‘(i) areas or groups that are geographically isolated (such as isolated in a rural area);
‘‘(ii) racial and ethnic minority populations; and
‘‘(iii) populations underserved because of special needs (such as language barriers, disabilities, alien status, or age)."