getting published?

[swoop]

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When applying to medical school how good does it look to have getting published on your resume? Right now I am have the choice of working in a research lab next semester and getting pretty much guarnteed of getting credit on the paper. However, it is a pretty big time commitment and I wanted to kind of play Lacrosse this semester. However, I would rather get into medical school.......So do you think the research or the lacrosse would look better to an adcom?

 

[Skip Intro]

Just based on my own personal experience working in the pharmaceutical industry (and the fact that I have two peer-reviewed publications myself), I would only offer you this: publications are worth their weight in gold, especially if in reputable peer-reviewed journals. On a professional level, doctors like to co-mingle and associate themselves with other doctors who are respected by their peers. I saw this firsthand for nearly seven years. One rather way to establish yourself thusly is to publish. (Some of those CV's get to be quite bulky too.)

Take that however you like, but I'd really look at your priorities. This is a nice ace-in-the-hole to talk about during interviews... I get the impression that many admission comittees would likewise be more interested in hearing about your exploits in the lab as opposed to the ones on the pitch, but I could be wrong.

Just my thoughts.

-Skip
MS2 Ross University
In the middle of the Caribbean,
and in the middle of finals... gotta run!

 

[docuw]

I will tell you that at Creighton School of Med, I think research and publication is much less important than is public service, comminity leadership and outreach, and volunteer work. People who have done research get a smile, but people who have been advocates for the underserved get a gold star. Take that as you like. Also, I think it is nice to be involved in athletics, but I think it is just as important to be involved in something perhaps more academic.

The take home message here is the following. If I were in your position and wanted to go to med school, I would spend my time working hard in school, playing Lacrosse for fun, and spending every other waking moment volunteering at Habitat for Humanity, Hospice Home, AIDS project, or some thing along these lines. Granted, my opinions are based on the preferences at my school, but I think this is consistent through (at the very least) the Jesuit Medical Schools in this country.

 

[WISC-ite]

Play LaCrosse.... that is my suggestion.

First, although you "think" you will be mentioned on the publication..... I know many people (myself included) that did not get a publication, even though it was a sure thing (according to the PI who needed some undergrad to do the work). For example: I worked my tail off sequencing many gene families only to have a HUGE snag come along in the project. The result is, I will be mentioned on the publication.... but I have already been accepted at a med school. Research was INVALUBLE to my education, but it was a 2.5 year long process of hard work. It is really hard to get any satisfation from one summer of research as there is just not enough time.

Bottom line: Publications are not predictable things. If they are predictable, then there has been a lot of work done prior to you coming there so why would they put your name on it?

Second, at all of the med school interviews I have had to date, the conversation around my research has been:

"So, I see you worked on -------. Was that a good experience?"

Basically, if the research is not in the interviewees field, then they are most likely not to care.

Med school selection takes many things into consideration. In my opinion, sports (demonstrating that you are a team player) is can be more important in more medical schools eyes thanm a publication(execpt at highly research orientated schools).

So, in conclusion: do what you want. Schools are going to care a lot more about your MCAT scores and GPA than one summer. So enjoy whatever option you choose.

best of luck
WISC-ite

 

[yaoming]

work in the lab, then get published if possible, then get accepted to med school, then defer a year to play lacrosse.

 

[nuclearrabbit77]

i like yaomings idea. hehehe. have as much fun between the time you graduate and start med school.

realize that you may get on a paper, but it may not be submitted or accepted for quite a while. in the long run, getting your name on papers is a good thing.


nuclearrabbit

northwestern - 2006

 

[shimmer118]

There is no such thing as "guaranteed" in science.
That's the whole idea about science: discovery....either you discover it or not. If you don't, then there's no paper.....so, don't work in the lab because you're pretty sure you'll get a paper out of it. Work in the lab because you'll enjoy the experience. If you won't enjoy it, then play lacrosse. Do what'll make you happiest.

 

[dotcb]

i think it's important to make choices that will not excessively compromise your current level of happiness. If you're excited about the research topic and want to spend lots of your time working on it, then go for it. If you think you'd be happier playing lacrosse, then do that. Med training is a long process, and there is unavoidably some hoops to be jumped through, but no need to place more hoops up there than you need to. Do you see yourself going into research? if not, then maybe head away from it. or maybe give it a try so you can have an informed opinion about what it is like to do research. I personally got into medical school with no research experience, and it never seemed to be an issue. i think a good reason to do research is if you have a piece of academic knowledge or an area of curiosity that you think would be an important contribution to medical science.

 

[katem]

how useful is it to be listed as 2nd, 3rd, or 4th author on a paper? i'm applying this year, so i don't think it can make much of a difference for my applications at this point, but will several publications help me much beyond getting in (i.e. residencies)? even if i'm interested in primary care?

any input is appreciated!

katem