Does it matter if I get units for research or not?

[cloudysunshine]

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I have the option of getting P/NP units for my research. Does it matter to medical schools if I received units or if the research shows up on my transcript?

The reason that I don't really want to sign up for units is that my school has a unit cap and if I accumulate too many units it may affect the timeline for when I have to declare a major/when I must graduate/logistical things such as those.

 

[angemon89]

What matters is an amazing letter from your PI and that they back up your hours and commitment to the lab.

 

[Catalystik]

1) I have the option of getting P/NP units for my research. Does it matter to medical schools if I received units or if the research shows up on my transcript?

The reason that I don't really want to sign up for units is that my school has a unit cap and if I accumulate too many units it may affect the timeline for when I have to declare a major/when I must graduate/logistical things such as those.

1) No. Whether the research is for class credit, paid, or volunteer, it is still entered under Research on the application. Med schools won't care which route you followed to gain the experience.

 

[lovesfall]

1) No. Whether the research is for class credit, paid, or volunteer, it is still entered under Research on the application. Med schools won't care which route you followed to gain the experience.

Really? I listed most of my research under "Work Experience - Paid" or something. I figured from the headings and descriptions it would be pretty obvious that it was research, but is that not the standard way of reporting?

 

[darkjedi]

Matters 0%, only things that matter are the letters of recommendations that you can get, and if you're lucky enough, publications.

 

[Catalystik]

I listed most of my research under "Work Experience - Paid" or something. I figured from the headings and descriptions it would be pretty obvious that it was research, but is that not the standard way of reporting?

For those applying directly out of college, most list research under Research. This is appreciated by checking the MSAR which reports % of AMCAS self-reporting acceptees who listed Research, which is quite high for research-oriented institutions. I surmise it would be higher yet if some didn't list it under Employment, which is not sorted as to type of job when these statistics are collected.

You are right that your research involvement will be apparent regardless.