How Important is the medical school name for research?

[surag]

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I'm really interested in research in memory and neuroscience and plan on doing resdiency in neuroscience after med school graduation...but I really want to focus on basic bench science research (somewhere in chemistry). Everywhere I look though, most of the researchers at research powerhouses got their MDs from top name schools-emory, harvard, columbia etc.

How difficult is it to succeed as a researcher if you havn't attended one of these institutions?

Is it better to just go for a medical field for income than for a field I want to do research in if I'm attending a state school without research recognition?

My goal is : kill step 1. Do cloisters 1 year-if it goes well second year (thats assuming I get it in first place) Do research bw M1 and M2 and during clinical internships
-publish at least one paper during medical school years and at least one or two in high impact journals during protected research years

-masters in chemistry or biophysics (again at recognized institution) (maybe-dont know if this is necessary)
-residency at a well recognized institution for neurology ( I really like Columbia's because it offers extra year for bench research)

Assuming the research I do is worthwhile and amounts to something would that be enough to get a position at a good school as a assistant professor? I see a lot getting positios as clinical-but thast not my interest.

Is it even possible to succeed as a researcher if you havn't attended name brand institutions for undergrad or medical school?

 

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Getting into medical school in the first place, a lot of things come before your school's reputation (e.g. mcat, grades, research, research, research, LoRs, etc.). I can't imagine UG institution having any importance beyond that point in an academic career.

I think most people will agree that you can be academically successful from a wide range of programs beyond just name brand schools. If you do good work, it will be appreciated. However, doing good work is contingent on having the resources and mentors to pursue it, and the general rule of thumb is that more prestigious schools often have more resources and successful mentors (just a rough generalization, not a hard fact).

Regarding clinical field choice, choose whatever interests you. That will be whatever you find you enjoy and may or may not end up depending on how it relates to your research. There's no rule for this, you just have to find out what you like when you get to that point.

In general, keep in mind that your career goals may shift as you go through your graduate education. What is most important is finding a school that can maximize the opportunities for things that interest you. That was a lot of vague answers, but I feel like you're asking questions that don't have a yes or no answer. Yes, if you're interested in academic medicine, the more prestigious programs tend to position you better. But ultimately you make do with whatever happens and let your hard work carry you.

Good luck!