Is research mandatory for premed students?

[PreMedical2012]

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I am going into my junior year of college. I have a 3.85 GPA and am on the board of many premedical clubs. I have shadowed a few doctors this summer and had an internship last summer (internship was hands on experience with a doctor). I will be taking the MCATS in the spring time and will be apply to schools in the summer. My question is, is research absolutely necessary for medical school? Does it help my chances if I do research (either in school or outside at a lab) or hurt me if I don't?

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Medical schools are out there to train both clinical practitioners and researchers. However it depends on the school's paradigm and orientation. You've got research giants who want to produce the future curers of AIDs of which you will need research almost always unless you have a 4.0/40. Then you have schools which are there to produce practitioners primarily such as many state schools and DO schools.
So the answer is yes and no. You will be disadvantaged when applying to research oriented schools which includes the entirety of the upper tier. However for your state school or non-research giants you won't be disadvantaged much. But still you should aim to get some research as I remember Cat once said that over 60% of applicants apply with some form research. But if you're without red flags in any other area's of your application you should be arguably fine.

 

[deleted325463]

Research is not absolutely necessary for medical school.

It does help your chances if you do research (either in school or outside at a lab), but may or may not hurt you if you don't, depending on the med school and the rest of your application.

 

[Led Zep]

serenade is absolutely right

 

[Asyouwereatrio]

I am going into my junior year of college. I have a 3.85 GPA and am on the board of many premedical clubs. I have shadowed a few doctors this summer and had an internship last summer (internship was hands on experience with a doctor). I will be taking the MCATS in the spring time and will be apply to schools in the summer. My question is, is research absolutely necessary for medical school? Does it help my chances if I do research (either in school or outside at a lab) or hurt me if I don't?

I'd say it can only hurt you if it was an opportunity widely available at you rschool and you chose not to take advantage of it. For example, my school's dean raves about how our undergraduate research program is well-known by all medical schools (a bit of hyperbole, but I'm sure there's some truth to it--meaning, all applicants have some sort of it when they come from my university). That being said, it'll only applicants that came from my institution and didn't do it for X reason...

In short, no it probably won't hurt you that much as clinical practice heavy schools, but it will hurt you a lot at research-oriented institutions. That will be magnified if you are an applicant that comes from a research-heavy university.

 

[gettheleadout]

In addition to what everyone else has said, the only circumstance where it would be mandatory for a premed student would be if their school required it for their major.

 

[TaylorMDhopeful]

Research isn't necessary but it's highly recommended.

A significant portion of pre-meds that apply to medical school and are accepted will have research of some sort under their belt. It shows intellectual curiosity and delving deeper into a specific scientific problem for truth. Adcoms like that sort of stuff. Its not going to be out of the ordinary because there will be a lot of people doing research (unless you do something really cutting edge or interesting) but its good to have.

 

[SusGob711]

Frankly I'm dreading my first research experience this fall. While I'm hoping I'll like it I originally decided to do it because a) I don't have any good reason not to and b) You never know, maybe it'll be for me and lastly c) I'd rather not give them any reason to set my application aside...just my $.02 😀

 

[Seven of Nine]

I'd say it can only hurt you if it was an opportunity widely available at you rschool and you chose not to take advantage of it. For example, my school's dean raves about how our undergraduate research program is well-known by all medical schools (a bit of hyperbole, but I'm sure there's some truth to it--meaning, all applicants have some sort of it when they come from my university). That being said, it'll only applicants that came from my institution and didn't do it for X reason...

In short, no it probably won't hurt you that much as clinical practice heavy schools, but it will hurt you a lot at research-oriented institutions. That will be magnified if you are an applicant that comes from a research-heavy university.

this is similar to my school. i've heard many people say that it would be considered a red flag if you graduated from my institution without any research at all. however, for people who don't like research, they should at least have a short-term research experience to reflect that they have dabbled in it and confirmed their preference (so don't worry susgob!).

clearly from the stats provided above, a significant percent of applicants don't do research. whether or not your lack of experience hurts you, depends on where you are coming from and where you want to go. research will only help you (granted that your grades don't take a dive or something).

 

[DrSavant]

Just curious, about how many hours of research should the average premed have?

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Just curious, about how many hours of research should the average premed have?

Research is commonly measured in semesters. I think a semester to a whole year is good.

 

[DrSavant]

Research is commonly measured in semesters. I think a semester to a whole year is good.

Cool thanks 🙂

 

[QuizzicalApe]

There are plenty of med school applicants/students with research. There are plenty without it, myself included. You're safer to get some under your belt, but if you'd hate it, then it wouldn't kill you not to do it.

 

[hindumuslim]

does psychology research count? I don't know if I could do biology research since I am a psych major. Does anyone have experience with bio research while not being a bio major?

 

[riceman04]

I will chime in here as well:

I attended a heavily funded research-based institution as an undergrad and I attend a great medical school that arguably seems to place a priority on research. However, I have several classmates who decided NOT to engage in any research and attended similar undergraduate institutions.

Yes, being engaged in a research project may show a desire to investigate something beyond its superficial aspect....but let's face it...that can be done within many facets of life.

In the end every medical school wants a diverse class full of students who will fulfill a certain role within the ever so expanding realm of medicine. That being said, having not done research will not be of detriment to your application as long as you have shown significant interest and passion in something else, whether it be teaching, volunteering, sports, etc....

You'd be surprised how well skills you develop away from medicine actually translate within the medical field.

If you are possibly interested in research: GET INVOLVED in either a basic science or clinical project. Both areas of research can be vastly different, and thus you may find you abhor one but love the other. Or you may even find you hate the idea of research. But the key is that IF YOU PUT IN THE TIME you learned a great deal about yourself from your experience.

The one thing I would be wary of is getting involved with some research project on a MINIMAL basis (i.e. washing dishes and being occasionally being asked to pipette something) for a short amount of time. ADCOMS can smell a POSER a mile away!

BEST OF LUCK GUYS!!! And I know saying don't stress will not help much...so instead I'll just say to make sure you do something to help alleviate that stress!

If you guys have any questions regarding clinical research or basic sci research...or any other activity for that matter...do not hesitate to shoot me a PM.

Cya!!!

 

[gettheleadout]

does psychology research count? I don't know if I could do biology research since I am a psych major. Does anyone have experience with bio research while not being a bio major?

Certain schools may give preference to basic science research over clinical, and clinical over non-science, but in general research is research. Just do it on something you're interested in, and do it well.