does research experience really help?

[kimt2234]

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I have some graduate qualitative and quantitative research experience in the field of psychology and diversity. I have applied for a part-time job as a research assistant for the department of psychiatry at my local university for the pay as well as the experience. Do adcoms look highly upon research?

 

[jaymanuel]

absolutely--wish i'd known to have some!

 

[rehanyazdani]

Yes that definitely helps from what I hear.

 

[Will Ferrell]

yessir. if u get your name on a publication thats a huuuggggeeee plus.

 

[Thanatos]

Every interview I had we talked about my research for at least 10 minutes. I don't think it really matters what you do, just that you did something and can prove that you understood what was going on.

 

[Law2Doc]

I have some graduate qualitative and quantitative research experience in the field of psychology and diversity. I have applied for a part-time job as a research assistant for the department of psychiatry at my local university for the pay as well as the experience. Do adcoms look highly upon research?

It helps, but is decidedly less important than quite a few other factors. Strong clinical exposure is probably a more important EC.

 

[45408]

Yes, they do. Make sure you're doing more than just washing the lab equipment though! A strong letter from your research professor can be very helpful.

 

[BigRedZippo]

Yes, research shows us you have (a) seen a very large side of medicine that may become part of your career, (b) can think analytically and critically, and (c) have hopefully read some scientific papers and been exposed to the academic side of medicine. I will say that if you have a publication, but show the slightest hint of not knowing the research inside out, it may hurt you. I tend to wonder 'this guy doesn't know anything about his research but published in XXXXXX Journal...hmmmm". Good luck. Get some research.

 

[drmota]

i think the reason i got the reception i got from some schools has to do with the fact that i did both laboratory AND clinical research. every single place i interviewed at asked me about both of them (especially my clinical)
-dr. mota

 

[kimt2234]

I worked as a mental health specialist on a psychiatric unit for children and adolescents for two years and am a certified nursing assistant, so I feel prettty good about my clinical experience and I can always get a prn nursing assistant position in any hospital. I want the research experience to help become more well-rounded applicant since I have a 3.29 undergrad gpa kinda working against me and I don't know how they will factor in a 3.8 graduate gpa?

How do they factor in graduate gpa's into the equation anyway?

 

[Law2Doc]

I worked as a mental health specialist on a psychiatric unit for children and adolescents for two years and am a certified nursing assistant, so I feel prettty good about my clinical experience and I can always get a prn nursing assistant position in any hospital. I want the research experience to help become more well-rounded applicant since I have a 3.29 undergrad gpa kinda working against me and I don't know how they will factor in a 3.8 graduate gpa?

How do they factor in graduate gpa's into the equation anyway?

It's seen as a "plus", but not actually factored in with your undergrad GPA (as a postbac would be).

 

[lattimer13]

I have some graduate qualitative and quantitative research experience in the field of psychology and diversity. I have applied for a part-time job as a research assistant for the department of psychiatry at my local university for the pay as well as the experience. Do adcoms look highly upon research?

definitely helps...definitely can't hurt you.

 

[SanDiegoSOD]

All of my interviewers have asked me about my research experience in varying degrees of detail. I think it helps that I've worked in what sounds like a pretty cool field (space physiology for NASA), as pretty much all the interviewers have been very interested and impressed. Any research experience will be good for your application, but if you have the choice between two equally good laboratories, take the one that sounds sexier... it will pay off in interviews!

 

[Law2Doc]

Any research experience will be good for your application, but if you have the choice between two equally good laboratories, take the one that sounds sexier... it will pay off in interviews!

OK- Fredericks of Hollywood labs it is. 🙂

 

[SanDiegoSOD]

OK- Fredericks of Hollywood labs it is. 🙂

I hear Louis Vuitton is doing great things with Stem Cells 😉

 

[kimt2234]

Thanks for the feed back! It is much appreciated. Research experience it is!