Is research/publication necessary?

[ErikaSawajiri]

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Hello folks,

I volunteered at 2 research labs and have gained some research experience. I was really close to having my name published on a paper but at the end it didn't work out. I'm wondering if research experience is necessary for DO schools, and if a publication is also necessary.... Thanks!

 

[NeuroLAX]

No, but it is a nice achievement and something strong to talk about if you gained valuable experience. Definitely helps.

 

[GreyF0X]

Research experience is not necessary but it will make your app better, give you something to talk about during the interview as well. Ive been researching for >1yr but have not been published yet, i think its fine, as long as you can get a good letter from your P.I. you should be set.

 

[apr27]

nah

 

[Buckeye(OH)]

Absolutely, unequivocally, not a requirement.

 

[ToKingdomCome]

No

 

[cliquesh]

Word, its not really need for your residency application either. It helps, but you'll do fine without it, except for a few competitive specialties.

 

[Goro]

Desirable, but definitely not necessary.

I volunteered at 2 research labs and have gained some research experience. I was really close to having my name published on a paper but at the end it didn't work out. I'm wondering if research experience is necessary for DO schools, and if a publication is also necessary.... Thanks!

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

Unlike SDN makes you believe, getting a publication during undergrad is actually rare. It's nice to have a publication, but more important from an undergrad is that you know how to communicate the research you work in.

 

[coolingglasses]

OP has more research experience than I did when I applied.

 

[KanyeWes]

No

 

[koan]

... more important from an undergrad is that you know how to communicate the research you work in.

This. It looks bad if you can't explain the research you're doing succinctly and in universal language. You may be describing clinical neuroscience research to a pharmacologist, for example, so have your elevator talk ready. For some reason it's really hard to talk about research you're doing to someone who's not doing it without sounding douchey, making their eyes glaze over, or both.

 

[doreegon]

Agree with Koan. If you include the research that you have done make sure you can provide a layman's synopsis. In grad school I thought that everyone had as much background as I did in my field. This is almost never true, and most people, even seasoned PhDs needed an abridged synopsis. You need to adjust how you explain the purpose and protocol to the understanding of your audience.

 

[Mad Jack]

I had no research. No one cared at all, ever. If you have deficits in your app, they might overlook them for your research though.

 

[GreyF0X]

Desirable, but definitely not necessary.

Hey @Goro , how would you view an applicant with research experience only compared to someone with research w/publication(s)? Does the latter hold more weight than the former or are they pretty much the same?

 

[Goro]

We treat them the same. Remember that at DO schools, the emphasis is on teaching, with research a distant second.

Hey @Goro , how would you view an applicant with research experience only compared to someone with research w/publication(s)? Does the latter hold more weight than the former or are they pretty much the same?

 

[orangeman25]

In my opinion, it's much harder to get a quality publication than it is to get a fine GPA/MCAT.

No publication? No big deal.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

No matter which way you look at it real world experience with science is always a huge boon to application as it inspires more interest in interviewers.

 

[keels99]

Not for DO. It's more important for MD applicants.