How To Calucute "Years of Research"...?

[Atherosclerosis]

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I see threads where it is recommended to have "2+ years research" to apply to research oriented, top-tier schools.

What does this translate into as far as hours go? Obviously, some people do "2+ years research" which often means couple hours a week for two years... But what if I did 40/week for a summer. How would this translate?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[sector9]

I see threads where it is recommended to have "2+ years research" to apply to research oriented, top-tier schools.

What does this translate into as far as hours go? Obviously, some people do "2+ years research" which often means couple hours a week for two years... But what if I did 40/week for a summer. How would this translate?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

...sounds like 3-4 months of research

 

[flatearth22]

On AMCAS you would enter your research by start date (month and year) and end date (month and year) as well as hours per week. So med schools would know if it was a full time activity for a short period (40 hrs a week for 10 weeks) or if it was a part time activity for a long period (10 hours a week for 50 weeks) or any other combination.

Also remember quality over quantity....2 years of research isn't necessarily better than 1 summer of research if the 1 summer got you lots of clinical experience and a publication and the 2 years just improved your ability to wash glassware.

 

[Atherosclerosis]

Also remember quality over quantity....2 years of research isn't necessarily better than 1 summer of research if the 1 summer got you lots of clinical experience and a publication and the 2 years just improved your ability to wash glassware.

That's what I was looking for. Thanks.

 

[sector9]

That's what I was looking for. Thanks.

Quality of your research experience is important, but so is longevity. One summer of research is not what top research schools are looking for. They want to see that you are truly interested in research, and one summer is not long enough to show a strong interest. If you have other stellar EC's to compensate, then you might stand a shot. But this doesn't count as a stellar EC. This is just checking off the research box on a premed checklist

 

[Atherosclerosis]

I'm not trying to be a smart-ass, but what about 2 summers? I did one full summer basic research, and one full summer clinical research... But nothing during the school year. Didn't have much research opportunity at my undergrad - it was mostly just lame botany research that I couldn't even pretend to like.

 

[sector9]

I'm not trying to be a smart-ass, but what about 2 summers? I did one full summer basic research, and one full summer clinical research... But nothing during the school year. Didn't have much research opportunity at my undergrad - it was mostly just lame botany research that I couldn't even pretend to like.

Well, two summers is better than one.

Have you had creative input into the project? Have you done a presentation or poster at a national or regional conference? Any publications? Did you get your own grant?

 

[Atherosclerosis]

Well, my project was presented by the MD/PhD student I was working for at a National conference... but it used all data that I personally generated, and I had secondary authorship on the abstract...

A paper has been written... still being reviewed by my PI before submission... but the primary author just graduated, and my PI is changing schools right now, so no guarantee the final touches will be made and published before interviews... but when it is published, I am expecting secondary authorship...

thoughts? Does it make a big difference that the paper might not be officially published by the time interviews come around...?

 

[lazy]

I would say the average "year" of research people refer to is 1 academic year part time and 1 summer full time.

I would also second what people said about quality over quantity, but mostly when you're trying to compare a summer full time to an academic year part time (ie what is better, 3 summers or 2 summers + 1 academic year part time?). It also can look better if the two summers are in the same lab since that allows you to sneak that continuity factor into your summer research experience.

 

[Andnosoupforyou]

How To Calucute "Years of Research"...?

"Calucute"... literally the best word I've heard all day!

 

[cge0]

...

 

[Atherosclerosis]

Yeah dude, I always put out at least 2 pubs during the summer.

...

Well it happened, chief.

 

[PeachyPhd]

Well, my project was presented by the MD/PhD student I was working for at a National conference... but it used all data that I personally generated, and I had secondary authorship on the abstract...

A paper has been written... still being reviewed by my PI before submission... but the primary author just graduated, and my PI is changing schools right now, so no guarantee the final touches will be made and published before interviews... but when it is published, I am expecting secondary authorship...

thoughts? Does it make a big difference that the paper might not be officially published by the time interviews come around...?

Not if you can discuss the research. You should have a copy of the paper and be able to discuss the whole story if you are touting authorship.

 

[Atherosclerosis]

Not if you can discuss the research. You should have a copy of the paper and be able to discuss the whole story if you are touting authorship.

Thanks, PeachPhd.