Importance of Research for MD admissions??

[Doc.Holliday]

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I have long considered getting my phd or an md/phd, but as of late, have come to see that this track is just not right for me, an MD would better help me achieve my life goals...

but, the majority of my extracurricular activities have been research. Ive worked full time for the past year, and part time for a year before that (im a junior). I have no clinical experience whatsoever (yet) and am worried how medical school admissions committees will view someone like me...

in addition, i don't enjoy volunteering, research at this point is more rewarding for me. I like to feel like i'm DOING something, making a difference, and the work i do in the lab does just that, I'm good at it, and ive furthered a lot of important projects. My short stints as a hospital volunteer have been a waste of time, mainly because of restrictions on how involved I could be. In the lab I am an equal, an important part of the process, as a volunteer i didnt feel that way at all. so, I'll probably be trying for a fellowship at the mayo clinic for this summer (or another such program), and hopefully doing as much shadowing as i can (a highly enjoyable experience, having shadowed before, i am absolutely sure an MD is for me, ive just been unable to find a rewarding volunteer experience, and frankly dont really have the inclination to search extensively, as i said, for now, research is fun).

so, will they look at me, someone with a highly research based application, and say "why isnt he applying for md/phd" or think that im using them as an MD safety school in case i dont get into more competitive MD/phd programs? will a fellowship at the mayo clinic and shadowing be enough to prove i know i want to be an MD? or will they like the research, assuming (correctly) that i will continue research while in medical school?

 

[Pewl]

I think you'll be fine. They're not gonna think that you're using an "MD school as a safety." That thought is kinda ludicrous =P

 

[Maerad]

Research heavy schools will love you. I don't think that not applying to MD/PhD will really raise an eyebrow one way or the other.

 

[veenut]

MD schools won't look at your application and immediately think "he should be applying md/phd", but they will see a lack of clinical experience. if you're sure about wanting to go the MD route, you better bite the bullet and get some volunteer experience under your belt or seriously reconsider whether you wouldn't be better off doing the md/phd. there are volunteer opportunities out there that let you do more than just scutwork, you just have to find them.

 

[Wertt]

I'm definitely in the same boat as yourself - I love research and have been doing it for a number of years, but I haven't started any clubs or climbed any mountains. I volunteered as a patient visitor at a hospital inpatient unit, but there were so many other pre-meds trying to do the same thing that sometimes it felt like there were more volunteers than patients! Not that that's a bad thing, but definitely feels more 'useful' being in research.

 

[Doc.Holliday]

any thoughts on making sure my PI mentions the would be publications (even if i do get some eventually)???

and what about the fellowship and shadowing being enough?

 

[RustNeverSleeps]

I have long considered getting my phd or an md/phd, but as of late, have come to see that this track is just not right for me, an MD would better help me achieve my life goals...

but, the majority of my extracurricular activities have been research. Ive worked full time for the past year, and part time for a year before that (im a junior). I have no clinical experience whatsoever (yet) and am worried how medical school admissions committees will view someone like me...

in addition, i don't enjoy volunteering, research at this point is more rewarding for me. I like to feel like i'm DOING something, making a difference, and the work i do in the lab does just that, I'm good at it, and ive furthered a lot of important projects. My short stints as a hospital volunteer have been a waste of time, mainly because of restrictions on how involved I could be. In the lab I am an equal, an important part of the process, as a volunteer i didnt feel that way at all. so, I'll probably be trying for a fellowship at the mayo clinic for this summer (or another such program), and hopefully doing as much shadowing as i can (a highly enjoyable experience, having shadowed before, i am absolutely sure an MD is for me, ive just been unable to find a rewarding volunteer experience, and frankly dont really have the inclination to search extensively, as i said, for now, research is fun).

so, will they look at me, someone with a highly research based application, and say "why isnt he applying for md/phd" or think that im using them as an MD safety school in case i dont get into more competitive MD/phd programs? will a fellowship at the mayo clinic and shadowing be enough to prove i know i want to be an MD? or will they like the research, assuming (correctly) that i will continue research while in medical school?

Having research experience is not a bad thing when applying to medical school. In fact, when applying to top schools it is almost a requirement. Your lack of clinical experience could be deterimental, though. Adcoms look for evidence of commitment to medicine, understanding of a career in medicine, and caring. Clinical experience (especially volunteering) can help with all three of those. Some people may think that your application is missing an important component with your lack of clinical experience, so definitely try to get in shadowing and volunteering, if possible.

 

[45408]

so, will they look at me, someone with a highly research based application, and say "why isnt he applying for md/phd" or think that im using them as an MD safety school in case i dont get into more competitive MD/phd programs?

Not at all. Stanford, Yale and Duke all have a huge emphasis on research in their MD program (to say nothing of their MSTP), and look for research in your application.

 

[Doc.Holliday]

Not at all. Stanford, Yale and Duke all have a huge emphasis on research in their MD program (to say nothing of their MSTP), and look for research in your application.

hah, but im not exactly at standford, yale or duke's level. my mcat and research experience are up there, but my gpa is definitely at their lower end... so what will schools not so research heavy think of me?

and again, do you think the mayo clinic fellowship (or similar) would be enough to show my "devotion" to medicine and be adequate clinical experience?