How important are research and ECs??

[scota]

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Hello again. How significant are research and ECs ? Since I decided to become a pre-med during the second half of my junior, I can't say that I've got the most stellar ECs under my belt. This is what I did (graduated high school in June, 2000):

June 2000-December 2001: Tutor, elementary school.
August 2000-December 2001: Asia Club (social club,) community college!
August 2001-December 2002: Social Science tutor, comm. college!
January 2003-December 2003: Chicanos for Community Medicine
January 2004-June 2004: Some other pre-health student org.
January 2004-June 2004: Patient transport, UCLA Med. Ctr.

While completing the rest of my science classes at San Francisco State, I plan on volunteering at a local hospital. That'll add 1.5 years of "clinical experience."

I don't have any sort of research experience!!! What should I do? I'm a sociology major, so it's difficult for someone like me to do any sort of research! Any other non-science majors with some advice for me? Thanks!!!

 

[MedAppGurl]

i personally think that it is always a great idea to at least give research a try, it is an integral part of science - even if you are not a science major. i gave it a try, and have been in the same lab for the past 4 years - i consider it one of my stronger and more rewarding ECs.getting involved is easy, you don't need to be a science major. look up some of the labs at your university, see what interests you and contact the people in charge. tell them your exact situation, that you are an undergrad non-sci major interested in medicine and want to try research. someone will be glad to pick you up. there are a bunch of non-sci majors that have passed through my lab. different med schools have their own preferences on ECs and research, but it can't hurt to give it a try.

 

[CalBeE]

Most applicants have similar types of EC's, so don't worry about standing out by being involved in more EC's--it's simply too hard to do so that way.

However, just by glancing at your activities, I'll suggest more clinically-oriented activities. Research is not required, and if you hate it, don't do it--it'll just waste your time.

 

[jlee9531]

very

 

[CalBeE]

Originally posted by jlee9531
very

Err...Short and Sweet 😉

 

[kwanny]

research experience is good, but not necessary to get into medicine. I, for one, doesn't have any research experience at all, and i still got interview offers from good schools.

Unless you wanna go to big name schools like Duke, WashU, or something, it prolly wouldn't make that big of a difference.

 

[Eraserhead]

while i agree with kwanny's point, if you have tons of ECs and research experience, it will totally change your application. with volunteer work, get involved in something you really care about and can take a significant role in and stay with it for a few years... even if it means delaying applications for a year or two. if you want to go into academia, take a year after you graduate to do research (at least one!) and try to publish something or at least present your research.

i for example, had several years of volunteer experience (seeing my own clients at a clinic, on my own...) and several years of research experience with a few publications. this got me interviews at ucla, stanford, cornell and others with a 30 and a 3.6 with two C's in pre-reqs. also, get letters from an MD for a clinical experience if you can and a professor for research and that will boost what is already in your 3 letters from instructors.

 

[scota]

Thanks guys!