Having no publication despite thousands of hours of research...

[RDBK]

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I have done nearly 2000 hours of research so far (2 full time summer research internships + 1.5 years of part time at my institution). But I had a falling out with my previous research lab and am switching into a different lab. I'm graduating in 2 years, meaning I am nowhere close to making publication by the time I apply. I've done some poster presentations at a conference but I know it doesn't count much. Will it be looked down upon because A) I switched research labs multiple times (I've worked in 3 different labs so far just at my institution, and going into the fourth one this summer) B) I made no publication despite having done research for thousands of hours? I can come up with some generic excuses for quitting research at those labs (I switched my major around that time, incidentally. The truth is I ****ing hated the way I was being utilized and it was very ungracious how I left), but I feel like they are gonna play the "not breadth but depth" card on me.

Other than that my stats are not bad. Having yet to take the MCAT but 4.0 GPA, 200+ and counting hours of volunteering, above-avg EC...

TLDR: Many hours of research, no publication. They are going to think I can't get through.

 

[mrh125]

I doubt it. I have over a thousand hours of research and getting published as an undergrad is really difficult honestly. The fact you did so much research looks good on its own especially if you explain it and it's meaningful to you.

 

[RDBK]

I doubt it. I have over a thousand hours of research and getting published as an undergrad is really difficult honestly. The fact you did so much research looks good on its own especially if you explain it and it's meaningful to you.

Thank you. The research I quit wasn't meaningful but hopefully I will come up with something in the interview to make it look good.

 

[mrh125]

Thank you. The research I quit wasn't meaningful but hopefully I will come up with something in the interview to make it look good.

Well, could you find a way to connect your research with your interest in medicine and give some way that it shaped you like balancing more responsibilities and being exposed to science in a new way? If so that'd do more than suffice.

 

[cs24]

I have done nearly 2000 hours of research so far (2 full time summer research internships + 1.5 years of part time at my institution). But I had a falling out with my previous research lab and am switching into a different lab. I'm graduating in 2 years, meaning I am nowhere close to making publication by the time I apply. I've done some poster presentations at a conference but I know it doesn't count much. Will it be looked down upon because A) I switched research labs multiple times (I've worked in 3 different labs so far just at my institution, and going into the fourth one this summer) B) I made no publication despite having done research for thousands of hours? I can come up with some generic excuses for quitting research at those labs (I switched my major around that time, incidentally. The truth is I ******* hated the way I was being utilized and it was very ungracious how I left), but I feel like they are gonna play the "not breadth but depth" card on me.

Other than that my stats are not bad. Having yet to take the MCAT but 4.0 GPA, 200+ and counting hours of volunteering, above-avg EC...

TLDR: Many hours of research, no publication. They are going to think I can't get through.

I have more hours than you and still no pubs, not a big deal. Just be ready to explain the big ideas of the projects you were on if asked, and to elaborate on what you learned about the research process (how to design experiments, how to think scientifically, ability to peruse literature, etc).

 

[tiedyeddog]

I have more hours than you and still no pubs, not a big deal. Just be ready to explain the big ideas of the projects you were on if asked, and to elaborate on what you learned about the research process (how to design experiments, how to think scientifically, ability to peruse literature, etc).

I also had thousands of hours of lab time before being admitted anywhere without a pub. I was asked about why I didn't have any pubs. I just told he truth. The experiments failed or new experiments need to be done.

Adcom will be impressed if you can paint it as a tough situation that you are working towards solving. Make it seem like a great challenge you are overcoming. Be able to explain your experiments and now they could have been improved.

Having a pub is helpful but not a golden ticket into a good medical school. No worries, just show research was a meaningful experience for yourself.