How much research(before applying) is recommended to have a decent chance of getting into a top 20 research medical school?
How much research for top schools?
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IMO, guys correct me if you think I'm wrong. I think that being published as either a secondary author or later is probably the highest level of research commitment you can show to a top school. This would set you apart from the "top level" competition, and help you and could be one of the highlights of your application, because (In my thinking) not many undergraduates (18-21yrs. old) are published. I don't know if Med Schools look at the impact factor, but if its high it can only help your case.
Other than that, I think being involved in the lab to a point where you have learned basic laboratory techniques and are well rounded (e.g not just inclined towards clinical training but also research) is something top schools expect you to apply with. I would think that, at top schools, having enough research experience to carry out basic experiments and develop or understand how to think like a researcher. Develop the ability to read, understand, annotate journals is also something very important. I think if you meet these requirements, it isn't a huge plus on your application in the sense that it will set you apart from the competition but it also won't hurt you. I think that most of the applicants who expect to have a good chance of being accepted to a top school must meet this requirement. For example, (a bit of an exaggeration but probably all who get an interview at Harvard are probably at this level or above)
Then you have the third category with none or little lab experience. This is something that will hurt your chances. You will need to have a stellar overall application to make up for a complete lack of research.
This is what I think...please do correct me anyone if you think I'm mistaken.
Other than that, I think being involved in the lab to a point where you have learned basic laboratory techniques and are well rounded (e.g not just inclined towards clinical training but also research) is something top schools expect you to apply with. I would think that, at top schools, having enough research experience to carry out basic experiments and develop or understand how to think like a researcher. Develop the ability to read, understand, annotate journals is also something very important. I think if you meet these requirements, it isn't a huge plus on your application in the sense that it will set you apart from the competition but it also won't hurt you. I think that most of the applicants who expect to have a good chance of being accepted to a top school must meet this requirement. For example, (a bit of an exaggeration but probably all who get an interview at Harvard are probably at this level or above)
Then you have the third category with none or little lab experience. This is something that will hurt your chances. You will need to have a stellar overall application to make up for a complete lack of research.
This is what I think...please do correct me anyone if you think I'm mistaken.
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There is no hard and fast rule. For md/phd at least two years of research is recommended. For normal MD, it's more about getting an idea of what research is like and how the process works.
I am co-author of a published paper in a science journal, but I worked on that experiment during my senior year of high school. I'm currently doing research at a different university, but so far it doesn't look like I will be part of another publication. However, I will have worked in this lab for about 1.5 years before applying.
I'm not sure how much my publication will help since I was in high school when I worked on it.
I'm not sure how much my publication will help since I was in high school when I worked on it.
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Most high school stuff usually isn't included in the application
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I think 'high school stuff' means like being in the science club/intramural sports etc....
If you're published in a science journal I would definitely think thats helpful.
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There's no set limit to what you need for these schools it's more or less your commitment, which is usually displayed through a publication, presentation, or poster of some type. This is not always the case as I've got two friends one got excepted to Vandy and did a lot of research and had several publications and another who got excepted to Washington University in St. Louis and did not have a publication. So moral of the story is research is nice, but unless you want to do a MS or PhD its not all that important as compared to who you are as an applicant that and the MCAT 😀.
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I agree with this. I worked on a project during high school that I may end up with an authorship position on, and you can bet I'd include that (if only to demonstrate long-term and early experience with research.)
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When people say 1.5 or 2 years of research, how many hours a week is that?
I did a semester long internship where I did hands-on research, including laboratory techniques and cultivation of bacteria. It was only 14 weeks, but it was 20-25 hours a week.
No publication yet, but there are two in the process that might come in before interviews. One more likely than the other, and last author.
I did a semester long internship where I did hands-on research, including laboratory techniques and cultivation of bacteria. It was only 14 weeks, but it was 20-25 hours a week.
No publication yet, but there are two in the process that might come in before interviews. One more likely than the other, and last author.
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You're not going to be last author - that's the senior author and is the PI of the lab.
As for 1.5-2 years, it's more about quality than quantity - maybe 10-20 hours/week. But I'd say that's more than you need for even the top schools UNLESS you're applying for MD/PhD programs, in which case you'd want that and hopefully more.
This is true. Also, if you continued a high school activity into college then you can list it.
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Fine - third, fourth, fifth author. I'll be on it, somewhere.
As for quality vs quantity - I had some pretty unique opportunities there that most people don't get. Plus it was abroad. Thanks for the response.
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Is it necessary to be published in order for your research experience to have some sort of impact on schools you apply to?
I've done research for a year so far and will probably continue to so for the remainder of my undergraduate career, but the possibility of being published before interviews come around seems unlikely.
I've done research for a year so far and will probably continue to so for the remainder of my undergraduate career, but the possibility of being published before interviews come around seems unlikely.
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The answer to this question, as you can find by searching, though I credit you for not creating a new thread, is a resounding "no."
