Does Research need to be Relevant to Medicine?

[wcbcruzer]

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Hi, I am currently an pre-med Biology undergrad student. There may be an opportunity for me to help with research and maybe have an opportunity to get published in the future. But that's in Ecology and has to do with plant restoration, etc. I was wondering would that still contribute to my med-school application?

In other words, if 2 identical people were applying to med-school and were both published in some scientific journal, but one person did research in genetics and the other did research in plants, would the person who did research in genetics have a higher chance of being accepted?

 

[p00psicleSTICK]

To answer your question, no.

My advice is to do research in an area that interests YOU the most, and also with a responsible faculty member.

 

[dbhvt]

Your probably better off if you're doing research that really interests you, whichever that may be.

I don't really know, but I would imagine a researchy school would probably prefer genetics work to plant restoration, but I do know an MSTP that did plant research for her masters thesis before going to medical school. I think the admissions committe liked the outside perspective.

 

[nimotsu]

Research in the sciences is a strong point in any application.

Be skeptical of your research advisor... anyone that promises a the prospect of a publication to an undergrad is either incredibly dedicated to education or might be using you. There's plenty of great professors out there, but just be careful.

 

[wcbcruzer]

Thanks for the replies. I'm not saying that I'm guaranteed a publication. I'm just saying that there may be an opportunity for it in the future. I'm hoping I could get published. As of now it's just a work study job...