Is research experience necessary?

[NY Musicologist]

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Good morning, all. I'd like some feedback about the importance of being able to list lab research experience on one's application. My ultimate medical interests are purely in the realm of patient care, and my time for extracurriculars is (like everyone else's) pretty limited. I'm planning to start volunteering at a small community hospital this fall, as well as giving a few hours a month to a humanitarian medical group (nothing big--just sorting donated supplies--but it will be a way to meet some local medical folks). Later, when I have more time, I might go for CNA or EMT certification. Realizing that much depends on the amount and quality of my commitment, would these activities be "enough" to make me competitive in the application process, or would it be strongly advisable to be able to demonstrate some experience in a lab setting? If it's really going to make me stand out, I'll go ahead and invest the time, but I'd much rather be out dealing with people.

*Note: I haven't even started postbacc coursework yet--still trying to finish my PhD, as some of you know--so at this time I'm just interested in planning for the future, not actually trying to land a research assistantship (horrendously unqualified at the present time)! 😱

 

[Law2Doc]

Good morning, all. I'd like some feedback about the importance of being able to list lab research experience on one's application. My ultimate medical interests are purely in the realm of patient care, and my time for extracurriculars is (like everyone else's) pretty limited. I'm planning to start volunteering at a small community hospital this fall, as well as giving a few hours a month to a humanitarian medical group (nothing big--just sorting donated supplies--but it will be a way to meet some local medical folks). Later, when I have more time, I might go for CNA or EMT certification. Realizing that much depends on the amount and quality of my commitment, would these activities be "enough" to make me competitive in the application process, or would it be strongly advisable to be able to demonstrate some experience in a lab setting? If it's really going to make me stand out, I'll go ahead and invest the time, but I'd much rather be out dealing with people.

*Note: I haven't even started postbacc coursework yet--still trying to finish my PhD, as some of you know--so at this time I'm just interested in planning for the future, not actually trying to land a research assistantship (horrendously unqualified at the present time)! 😱

An adcom member told me that the "ideal" applicant will have both some research and clinical experience. The latter is far more important for most med schools (as it assures med schools that you know what you are getting yourself into), and many people get into med school with strong clinical experiences and little or no research experience (and not nearly as many the other way round). However the highly ranked, big name medical schools tend to be research powerhouses and are probably very receptive to applicants with substantial research experience on top of their clinical stuff.

 

[Doctobee]

I dont' think its' necessary. I got into two school, and didn't have any medical research experience. I actually did have chemical engineering research experience (about 8-9 years ago, but admissions never seemed to care about that, which I don't get!!! Research should be research - it's the thinkging process) Volunteering or clinical experience is necessary though.