Fulfilling the implicit research requirement

[zinciest]

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Would a school that essentially views research as a prerequisite value mathematical research, or is it pretty much just research in things like biology, chemistry, etc.?

I'm not involved anything as of now, but I'm thinking of sending off some emails. I've taken way more math courses than biology courses, so if I got a position in a bio lab, it would probably be as a dishwasher.

What's better?

Mathematical Research (unrelated to medicine in any way) or biology research (more applicable, but not as good of an experience)?

 

[brooklynblunder]

send to both bro, you never know which one will take you. talk to those PIs that are interested and see where you would get the most responsibility (which is what sounds like you are looking for)

math research could be medicinal - software/simulation/proteomics etc

 

[armybound]

There is no implicit research requirement.

 

[zinciest]

There is no implicit research requirement.

I thought that some schools had student bodies made up of people who pretty much all did research in undergrad? I didn't think that they necessarily spelled out that it was required for admission though. I might be wrong, dunno.

 

[schrizto]

knock out both subjects by going with bioinformatics labs.

 

[zinciest]

knock out both subjects by going with bioinformatics labs.

Unfortunately, I don't think there is one.

 

[GoSpursGo]

I thought that some schools had student bodies made up of people who pretty much all did research in undergrad? I didn't think that they necessarily spelled out that it was required for admission though. I might be wrong, dunno.

I mean, there is no school for which having done undergrad research is a straight up requirement. However, the higher you go up the USNEWS research rankings, the more favorably having had some undergrad research will be seen. For lots of applicants, med school is med school and it's not worth jumping through the research hoop just to try for a "top 20"; if, for whatever reason, you've got your sights set on one of those schools, you should probably look more heavily into it.

I have no idea whether schools would care what department your research came in, though. Honestly, there's a lot of biology research that isn't medically relevant either. I'd just do whatever you find more interesting and will give you the better experience and the better LOR.

 

[zinciest]

bump

 

[drareg]

do research because you want to, period. i just interviewed at a top 10 research school and was about to give an answer of "why not so much research" (even though he didnt flat out ask me) when he straight up stopped me and said - dont bother, we dont want a class full of researchers - there is no reason to explain yourself.

But to be safe, you got to try it. You cant tell them "I dont like research because xxxxxxxx" because they will respond with "How do you know unless you tried it". I worked in a lab for like 3 weeks and that was it for me but I did many things in undergrad so use that time to do other more meaningful things. I think it can only help you because it seems like every pre-med does research nowadays so its not even that unique of an EC. But, if you really like research than do it because it will give you alot to talk about during an interview. good luck.

 

[zinciest]

do research because you want to, period. i just interviewed at a top 10 research school and was about to give an answer of "why not so much research" (even though he didnt flat out ask me) when he straight up stopped me and said - dont bother, we dont want a class full of researchers - there is no reason to explain yourself.

But to be safe, you got to try it. You cant tell them "I dont like research because xxxxxxxx" because they will respond with "How do you know unless you tried it". I worked in a lab for like 3 weeks and that was it for me but I did many things in undergrad so use that time to do other more meaningful things. I think it can only help you because it seems like every pre-med does research nowadays so its not even that unique of an EC. But, if you really like research than do it because it will give you alot to talk about during an interview. good luck.

Thanks, but I was specifically asking about the difference between mathematical research and research in a biology lab.

 

[Beta Cell]

I mean, there is no school for which having done undergrad research is a straight up requirement. However, the higher you go up the USNEWS research rankings, the more favorably having had some undergrad research will be seen. For lots of applicants, med school is med school and it's not worth jumping through the research hoop just to try for a "top 20"; if, for whatever reason, you've got your sights set on one of those schools, you should probably look more heavily into it.

I have no idea whether schools would care what department your research came in, though. Honestly, there's a lot of biology research that isn't medically relevant either. I'd just do whatever you find more interesting and will give you the better experience and the better LOR.

Exactly, I see a lot of my friends trying to get into the biology department for research. Later on, they describe their research to me as having something to do with bird mating rituals. Research teaches you to work independently, efficiently, and to think in a more logical fashion. I think it's the skills gained over the course of a research project that medical schools desire and not so much the specific type of research.

I'd also like to comment on the OP's logic for being weary of joining a biology lab. I had the exact same thoughts my freshman and the beginning of my sophomore years with regard to lack of experience. I thought that if I joined a lab, I'd just be doing the grunt work of everyone else due to lack of experience.The fact is that you only need to have a functional grasp of the material when you enter the lab and the rest can be gained from reading articles and speaking to others in your lab. If you can demonstrate the ability to work independently, you'll not only learn a lot but impress others in your lab. Work hard and good things will come. As long as you've had at least a year of bio, you have the foundation for biologically-related research.

 

[PinkIvy08]

A lot of schools explicitly define research as having some deep interest in something that it pushes you to probe further (I'm paraphrasing, but you catch my drift). I say go with the one that interests you. Personally, I think mathematical research might give you a little nudge. Think of how few applicants have that versus the number that have biological research. Just my two cents

 

[ILikeDrugs]

Research is reasearch. The subject doesn't matter. Biology research won't be considered more important then French history research.

 

[BlueElmo]

Research is helpful. I was asked about it couple times in my interviews so far.

 

[doctor712]

There is no implicit research requirement.

I dunno. I had an "interview/meeting" recently (out of state) and the adcom member showed me the list of questions they ask the interviewees, and then asked me each and every question. Right before leadership abilities, and after something else that I forget, was "Research Experiences." It came before Obama's healthcare question, the Kevorkian question, questions about my best and worst traits and the DNR question...

So, I really do think there is an implicit amount of research experience that they'd like to see you bring to Medical School. I'm sure of it. I think. Required, no. Heavily pleased with, yes. Highly rewarded, I really think so.

D712