Do I need to do research?

[deleted600623]

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I have great EC's and clinical experience. Do I really need research? I'm planning on taking degree required courses online this summer as well as taking Orgo 1 from a different university. (I made a C due to a tough semester) The next summer I'm planning on studying to take the MCAT in fall 2015. Should I pursue research for this summer even though I'll be busy volunteering as an EMT, serving in a lunch program for kids and taking upper division courses? Or is research even that necessary for acceptance?

Appreciate any help!

 

[crimsonkid85]

I have great EC's and clinical experience. Do I really need research? I'm planning on taking degree required courses online this summer as well as taking Orgo 1 from a different university. (I made a C due to a tough semester) The next summer I'm planning on studying to take the MCAT in fall 2015. Should I pursue research for this summer even though I'll be busy volunteering as an EMT, serving in a lunch program for kids and taking upper division courses? Or is research even that necessary for acceptance?

Appreciate any help!

No. You do not need research for acceptance, even for a top medical school.

 

[deleted600623]

Do medical schools even weigh research with decent significance?

 

[crimsonkid85]

Do medical schools even weigh research with decent significance?

1. participation? no.
2. manuscript in preparation? marginally.
3. in revisions? a tiny bit more.
4. in press/published? depends on authorship. i expect you to have a full understanding of every experiment that went into the paper, and will ask you for a precise summary of what YOU specifically contributed to the project. if you can't, or fumble the answer -- see #1.

of course, if you're first author on a paper, then major props to you. i would consider that a significant, noteworthy achievement in your undergraduate years.

 

[deleted407021]

You don't need to do research unless you want to/need it for a degree. Also, I wouldn't suggest retaking a C in Ochem I.

 

[deleted600623]

@J Senpai What's your reasoning for not retaking Ochem I?

@crimsonkid85 Thank you for the explanation. Really appreciate the insight.

 

[darkjedi]

No. You do not need research for acceptance, even for a top medical school.

At most top medical schools I think research is all but required unless you have something ridiculous up your sleeve to make up for it

 

[deleted600623]

@darkjedi Ok. I don't think I will apply to the top tier schools based on my expected GPA and MCAT.

 

[deleted407021]

@J Senpai What's your reasoning for not retaking Ochem I?

@crimsonkid85 Thank you for the explanation. Really appreciate the insight.

Because a C is not that bad. Retaking would be a waste of time, especially if you are not applying to DO schools, because allopathic only takes the average of all retakes for one course. A C to a B or A wouldn't make an appreciable difference on your AMCAS GPA. Again, a C is not that bad. You will not be asked about it and it shouldn't hurt you. Do well everywhere else and youll be fine.

 

[Pacna]

Agree with the above. I have 0 hours of research and got accepted. Just do ECs that you care about. It doesn't really matter what they are (within reason).

 

[crimsonkid85]

At most top medical schools I think research is all but required unless you have something ridiculous up your sleeve to make up for it

@darkjedi Ok. I don't think I will apply to the top tier schools based on my expected GPA and MCAT.

Idk about your GPA and MCAT, but to not apply to top medical schools just because you don't have research is ridiculous. What is research except another extracurricular???? And what is a first author paper except 'having something ridiculous up your sleeve?'

Top medical schools look for extraordinary accomplishment no matter WHAT the extracurricular. This is why participating in research (whatever that means) is not the same as an author on a paper, which is not the same as a first author paper. This is also why going on some random health mission trip for two weeks isn't the same as working for an NGO, which is still disparate from establishing an NGO. This is why tutoring isn't the same as TAing isn't the same as teaching your own course, isn't the same as going to a foreign country to help establish a new curriculum. I have encountered all of these permutations in applicants.

 

[deleted600623]

I agree a C isn't bad but I do plan on applying to a few DO schools depending on my final GPAs and MCAT score.

@crimsonkid85 I'm sitting at a 3.3 sGPA and 3.5 overall. But I still have to take a year of physics, physiology, stats, biochem, and finish Ochem 2. (Of which I have an A right now) With that being said, I have the opportunity to finish with likely a 3.6 sGPA so pending at least a 30 on the MCAT I would apply to maybe 3-5 top medical schools. I just don't see the financial advantage of applying to a lot of top schools that I don't have a fair chance of being accepted to.

 

[AliciaAccepted]

Your numbers sound great! As others have mentioned, research is not required to apply to most medical schools. Some schools do prefer to see some research experience. You can usually identify which schools prefer research by reviewing their websites, special programs and mission statements. For the top medical schools, creative leadership--in any shape or form--is often most important. I would encourage you to follow your own interests. By working on yourself and finding what brings you the greatest joy, you will be setting yourself apart as a unique applicant. Most activities require communication skills, creativity, teamwork etc. and these skills can all be connected to medicine, in well written activity descriptions.

To help you decide where to apply to medical school, I am attaching an article I have just written on the topic. I wish you all the best!