Is Research Really Necessary

[drsmilez]

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How important is research to medical schools? My major requires research, but you can't do their research until senior year, which is after you start applying, right? I work in a pediatrician's office as a clinician, I do tons of extracurriculars, and my GPA is good. If I didn't have research on my transcript, would that kill me? Thanks!

 

[Jamier2]

When I asked my advisor about what kinds of things med schools like to see, I was told that research looks good. I was also told that clinical exposure is more important, and if I had to choose between research and volunteering/shadowing I should definitely choose the latter.

I don't know how it is when you want to go MD / PhD, though.

Jamie

 

[deleted4401]

I had absolutely ZERO research experience ... No interviewer even asked about it... but since I was an Economics major, the research I could have done would seem rather 'soft' to hard-core science researchers.

Don't think it hurts if you don't have it, but it probably is a plus if you do have it.

Simul

 

[baylor21]

The above posters are correct... you don't have to have research experience to get into an MD program.

However, for MD/PhD you DEFINITELY have to have research experience. In fact, you probably would need 2 years or more to have a good shot at getting admitted.

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"There is nothing more powerful on this Earth as a man who has nothing to lose. It does not take ten such men to change the world--one will do." Elijah Mohammed

 

[drsmilez]

Thanks guys! I will do research my senior year, but I don't have time to fit it in before because of my job and school. Hopefully I'll still get in!

 

[legi2000]

If you are applying for MD program, I don't think research matters that much as long as you have volunteering experiences.
However, if you are thinking of applying for MD/PhD, basic science research is crucial.