do I need more research experience?

[dillpicklechips]

I had taken a 4 year break from undergrad and I'm returning to finish my degree and apply Spring 2027 cycle. During my break, I only worked full time (no ECs). In 2021, I had research that resulted in 2 mid author pubs and hundreds of hours of experience. Since it will be almost a 6 year old experience by the time I apply, should I look to do research again?

 

[stew_md]

If a big reason why you want to be a doctor is doing research, then maybe hopping back into a lab would be helpful. However, you should make sure the other areas of your application are up to par as well. Make sure you have enough non-clinical volunteering and clinical experience as well, these are areas I have noticed many applicants have fallen short. With a 4 year period of being non-premed, admissions committees may wonder why. It might be a good idea to get back into all ECs in some form or another, having a balance between research, volunteering, shadowing, and clinical experience to show commitment.

 

[dillpicklechips]

If a big reason why you want to be a doctor is doing research, then maybe hopping back into a lab would be helpful. However, you should make sure the other areas of your application are up to par as well. Make sure you have enough non-clinical volunteering and clinical experience as well, these are areas I have noticed many applicants have fallen short. With a 4 year period of being non-premed, admissions committees may wonder why. It might be a good idea to get back into all ECs in some form or another, having a balance between research, volunteering, shadowing, and clinical experience to show commitment.

Thank you for the advice. I am already in volunteering (clinical and non) and shadowing, I just was not sure if research is necessary for me to do. I want to continue working my full-time job instead of doing research, but if my prior research experiences is too old, I would quit my full-time to do more research.

 

[stew_md]

Certainly, if you wanted to do an MD/PhD you would want to get back into research, but otherwise I'm not sure it's necessary. It sounds like you are doing other good ECs (volunteering, shadowing, etc.). Personally I would focus on those other ECs. Maybe others can weigh in and correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I'm missing information: you published a paper 6 years ago. Then what have you been doing since graduating?

 

[Goro]

I had taken a 4 year break from undergrad and I'm returning to finish my degree and apply Spring 2027 cycle. During my break, I only worked full time (no ECs). In 2021, I had research that resulted in 2 mid author pubs and hundreds of hours of experience. Since it will be almost a 6 year old experience by the time I apply, should I look to do research again?

Nope. You're good.

Focus on other areas of your app that need filling out.