How do research heavy institutions evaluate research as it pertains to applicant 'story'?

[907914]

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I have a moderate amount of research (around 650 hours in two labs over the course of a bit over a year). Nothing particularly stand out, some gene editing and molecular modeling with 3 school posters (2 accepted national, not presented due to lacking travel funding), one project with a fair amount of creative control. So the experience is there for moderate competitiveness at higher up schools.

My question pertains to the way that research is introduced. Throughout my application (PS included) I talk about wanting to educated myself, educate others, support others,challenge myself with answering hard questions etc. It is a theme but not the central thread, and I only introduce my research in the Work and Activities section (3 of my 15 activities are research focused). I use the MM to describe my interest in further pursuit as a physician innovator but that is about it.

TL;DR - So long as the research is sufficient and addressed within the application, is it alright for the research aspects not to be central in my story of "Why medicine/why me" for pursuing top/research heavy schools?

 

[faerie62]

I think that is fair. I think it is also fair to address research in the PS (as long as it's framed correctly, in relation to how it affects your perspective and motivation for clinical medicine).

 

[907914]

the importance of research for the vast majority of applicants isnt how it directly relates to medicine. It is to show you understand and have participated in a project or lab where research methodology was applied.

That makes sense. And I know you don't want to generalize and/or provide advice on a specific school set that you do not belong to - but if one of your advisees came to you with their research presented in this way would you give them the go-ahead?

 

[907914]

I figure I'll tag @LizzyM and @gyngyn (If I am wrong please let me know and I will rid myself of this notion) as I believe y'all are T20 ADCOMs and can speak to how you would view this presentation.

 

[deleted972488]

Research is a central part of my PS but I really don’t think it has to be. For me, I felt like I had to explain why I spent the last 7 years doing it and how my experiences brought me back to wanting to see patients. For you, so long as you have it somewhere in your app, you’ll be fine.

 

[gyngyn]

Participation in hypothesis-driven research allows us to discuss your understanding of its role in medicine.
As long as it appears somewhere in your application, we can use it.

 

[The Knife & Gun Club]

Sounds fine to me. It’s better IMO to have a PS that tells a cohesive story than to make sure you mention everything and mess up the flow.

The most meaningful sections are great for that.

Your plan sounds solid.

 

[LizzyM]

TL;DR - So long as the research is sufficient and addressed within the application, is it alright for the research aspects not to be central in my story of "Why medicine/why me" for pursuing top/research heavy schools?

Yes.