How will this research experience be looked upon?

[PSimmons]

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I have extensive research experience that I devoted much of my time to. However, I'm not sure how this will be viewed. I'm at a school that is known for having strong ties to the military, and during my two undergraduate years did military-associated research, specifically in a biological weapons program.

Should I leave this out of my application? I devoted much time to it already and would have difficulty explaining what I did with my free time if I pretended I didn't do this. At the same time, the extensive experience was truly rich.

 

[willen101383]

I have extensive research experience that I devoted much of my time to. However, I'm not sure how this will be viewed. I'm at a school that is known for having strong ties to the military, and during my two undergraduate years did military-associated research, specifically in a biological weapons program.

Should I leave this out of my application? I devoted much time to it already and would have difficulty explaining what I did with my free time if I pretended I didn't do this. At the same time, the extensive experience was truly rich.

This is actually a really good question and something you could look at either way. One one side of the coin you devoted a lot of time to a research project in a scientific field...that you obviously take/took pride in. This shows dedication and intellect. On the flip side its for biological warfare. If it was my app, I would mention it. However be ready for plenty of questions about your opinions on bio warfare, your beliefs on it,etc. Is your research even mentionable to them...i.e classified?

 

[111111111111111]

I have extensive research experience that I devoted much of my time to. However, I'm not sure how this will be viewed. I'm at a school that is known for having strong ties to the military, and during my two undergraduate years did military-associated research, specifically in a biological weapons program.

Should I leave this out of my application? I devoted much time to it already and would have difficulty explaining what I did with my free time if I pretended I didn't do this. At the same time, the extensive experience was truly rich.

I honestly don't see anything wrong with biological warfare research. Knowledge is always better than ignorance. Who knows, maybe aliens will invade and your research will lead us being able to destroy those bastards on Independence Day.

 

[Kaustikos]

I have extensive research experience that I devoted much of my time to. However, I'm not sure how this will be viewed. I'm at a school that is known for having strong ties to the military, and during my two undergraduate years did military-associated research, specifically in a biological weapons program.

Should I leave this out of my application? I devoted much time to it already and would have difficulty explaining what I did with my free time if I pretended I didn't do this. At the same time, the extensive experience was truly rich.

I did work in pharmaceuticals... not nearly as bad as bioweapons, but I've DEFINITELY received a grilling for that job (the company is a big 5 and definitely under the radar of the FDA for faulty practices ) But, as long as you communicate/defend yourself well, you should be fine. Expect to be asked about it and your stance on it, but they won't honestly hold it against you because a) it could be the only job you could get b) your work was actually positively impactful c) You gained valuable experience in research which you wouldn't of received anywhere else.

 

[LizzyM]

If you tell us about it will you have to kill us?