Is This Research Inappropriate?

[BehindBlueEyes]

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So one of my big research experiences during college was with my organic chemistry professor. He was particularly into brewing beer, not only because he liked to drink beer, but also because he was interested in some of the organic reactions that take place during the actual "brewing" process (some of which are actually pretty cool). So, we did research pertinent to this. No, not the most groundbreaking research, but I thought it was a clever way to give students something applicable to think of while learning organic chem.

I didn't touch on the beer brewing part of the research in the AMCAS, but when asked about it in interviews I've brought it up as a side note because it seems like a memorable talking point, and it was a cool way to get students interested in chemistry. Just wondering if any interviewers are going to think this is inappropriate?

 

[GrumpyGus]

So one of my big research experiences during college was with my organic chemistry professor. He was particularly into brewing beer, not only because he liked to drink beer, but also because he was interested in some of the organic reactions that take place during the actual "brewing" process (some of which are actually pretty cool). So, we did research pertinent to this. No, not the most groundbreaking research, but I thought it was a clever way to give students something applicable to think of while learning organic chem.

I didn't touch on the beer brewing part of the research in the AMCAS, but when asked about it in interviews I've brought it up as a side note because it seems like a memorable talking point, and it was a cool way to get students interested in chemistry. Just wondering if any interviewers are going to think this is inappropriate?

Considering your interviewer will most likely crack open a cold one as they completely forget about anything you actually said earlier that day, no, it won't look bad.

Actually, I would argue you should have put it in your AMCAS. It's a fun popular activity that many people can bond over.

Also you should have brought them beer to your interview. I cook a lot so I brought samples to my interviewers.

 

[Cawolf]

Also you should have brought them beer to your interview. I cook a lot so I brought samples to my interviewers.

This would be creepy.

I do agree the OP can feel comfortable discussing and listing this activity.

 

[mmm_cats]

ABSOLUTELY HARAM!

It's actually pretty cool and you should definitely put it on your app.

 

[Orthosurg1]

Considering your interviewer will most likely crack open a cold one as they completely forget about anything you actually said earlier that day, no, it won't look bad.

Actually, I would argue you should have put it in your AMCAS. It's a fun popular activity that many people can bond over.

Also you should have brought them beer to your interview. I cook a lot so I brought samples to my interviewers.

You really brought samples with you? I'm curious, how did this play out in your interviews?

 

[GrumpyGus]

You really brought samples with you? I'm curious, how did this play out in your interviews?

LOL no omg that's so weird.

Could you imagine how desperate that'd look?

This would be creepy.

I do agree the OP can feel comfortable discussing and listing this activity.

I'm teasing.

 

[Fancy_Feast]

Please tell me you're from Utah...this post brings back so many memories of undergrad for me

 

[darkjedi]

A research team managed to publish a Cell article about beer brewing just two months ago. Less crazy than you think.

http://www.cell.com/fulltext/S0092-8674(16)31071-6

 

[ChrisMack390]

You really should have put this on your app imo!

I mentioned that I brew beer under my "cooking" hobby entry, and 2-3 of my interviewers have asked me about it. One even recommended a cool brewpub to grab dinner at after the interview!

 

[BehindBlueEyes]

Thank you all for the feedback! I guess I can't do anything about not mentioning the beer brewing part in my app (although I did mention the research in general) but I can bring it up during the interview.

@Fancy_Feast No, not from Utah, but I am in the bible belt in the Midwest, so still conservative! I have to remind myself that in the real world things like this are not taboo at all.

 

[Promethean]

If you are applying at Liberty University's COM, don't mention this.

Anywhere else... yeasts ferment. It's what they do. Wanna study them? Why not use a growth medium that has been exceptionally well explored so that variables are trivial to isolate and where there could be obvious practical benefit to the findings?

 

[JustAPhD]

If you are applying at Liberty University's COM, don't mention this.

Anywhere else... yeasts ferment. It's what they do. Wanna study them? Why not use a growth medium that has been exceptionally well explored so that variables are trivial to isolate and where there could be obvious practical benefit to the findings?

Because drinking the growth media is frowned upon.

 

[Promethean]

Because drinking the growth media is frowned upon.

Doesn't sound like a taste test was one of the assays that was run. And if it were, well, as long as it was part of the formal protocol and data was obtained...

 

[JustAPhD]

Doesn't sound like a taste test was one of the assays that was run. And if it were, well, as long as it was part of the formal protocol and data was obtained...

For science? Lol

 

[Promethean]

For science? Lol

Of course, for science! Why else?

 

[Goro]

Perfectly fine except at LUCOM and Loma Linda!

So one of my big research experiences during college was with my organic chemistry professor. He was particularly into brewing beer, not only because he liked to drink beer, but also because he was interested in some of the organic reactions that take place during the actual "brewing" process (some of which are actually pretty cool). So, we did research pertinent to this. No, not the most groundbreaking research, but I thought it was a clever way to give students something applicable to think of while learning organic chem.

I didn't touch on the beer brewing part of the research in the AMCAS, but when asked about it in interviews I've brought it up as a side note because it seems like a memorable talking point, and it was a cool way to get students interested in chemistry. Just wondering if any interviewers are going to think this is inappropriate?

 

[kb1900]

Pretty cool. Would def spark an interest

 

[Orthosurg1]

LOL no omg that's so weird.

Could you imagine how desperate that'd look?

I'm teasing.

Oh thank goodness haha

 

[JB50]

Now that you have that research under your belt you should "experience" those reactions yourself 🙂

That will really get them interested in "organic" chemistry