How do adcoms view working in your current lab during the summer?

[Suffer]

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My school has a research program that gives stipends for students that want to work with a faculty member over the summer. For me this would mean that I would work in the lab I work in during the school year over the summer. The plus is that I'd get much further in the lab (although I doubt I'd get a publication in by the time the med school applications are due) but the negative is that it would be redundant on the application. Does does matter? Does participating in a prestigious program/doing something different during the summer help at all?

Also if I do get publications before decisions come out would I be able to send updates for my applications? Are there any drawbacks, such as my application would have already been considered before the update was sent in?

Thanks!

 

[Catalystik]

My school has a research program that gives stipends for students that want to work with a faculty member over the summer. For me this would mean that I would work in the lab I work in during the school year over the summer. The plus is that I'd get much further in the lab (although I doubt I'd get a publication in by the time the med school applications are due) but the negative is that it would be redundant on the application. Does does matter? Does participating in a prestigious program/doing something different during the summer help at all?

Also if I do get publications before decisions come out would I be able to send updates for my applications? Are there any drawbacks, such as my application would have already been considered before the update was sent in?

Thanks!

Staying with the same lab increases longevity and possibly responsibility and productivity, and enhances chances of a strong LOR. A short-term gig in a "prestigious lab" is less likely to result in a strong experience, IMO.

To schools that accept update letters, notification of an accepted publication is desirable.

 

[aldol16]

Longitudinal experience is always better than summer program, no matter how "prestigious" the summer program. Summer program "prestige" is an artificial number that is based largely on pre-med demand for said program. No adcom looks at an application and goes, "Oh, he did Amgen! I'm so impressed!"

 

[Goro]

Why on earth would you have any qualms about doing this????

Getting a publication is one of the few things that are update worthy.

My school has a research program that gives stipends for students that want to work with a faculty member over the summer. For me this would mean that I would work in the lab I work in during the school year over the summer. The plus is that I'd get much further in the lab (although I doubt I'd get a publication in by the time the med school applications are due) but the negative is that it would be redundant on the application. Does does matter? Does participating in a prestigious program/doing something different during the summer help at all?

Also if I do get publications before decisions come out would I be able to send updates for my applications? Are there any drawbacks, such as my application would have already been considered before the update was sent in?

Thanks!