Lab Research during School Year - Do or don't?

[DMBFan]

I am thinking of doing research in a lab at the medical school at my undergrad institution. However, the PI told me that she insists upon a two semester committment and at LEAST 15 hours a week, which is a part time job on top of classes. I was wondering whether this would be a good idea since I am going to be a junior in the fall, and I want to keep my GPA pretty high up there, and second semester i will have to deal with the MCAT...Is having a lab job really impressive to medical schools? I mean, I loved doing research this summer, but I am not sure about whether I would love it while taking 15 credits... Should I look for a lab that has less of a time committment? Any help would be appreciated..

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[chinkemon]

I've been with my PI since my sophomore year (i'm a rising senior). Each semester, I've committed anywhere between 15-20 hours / week. I also work 6-8 hours a week as a Federal Work-Study student. And I average 18 credits / semester (past spring, add studying for MCAT on top of that). It's doable. Just requires a lot of dedication. If you really like research, and the PI will give you something significant to do in the lab, then go for it. But if you're just doing it so you can put it on the app., then don't. You'll end up miserable. If you have a really good lab, it helps. For instance, people you share classes with and can hang out with outside the lab. We have frequent happy hours on our floor, and it's a good/fun experience for most everyone.

 

[sfbear]

If you tell her that you'll be taking the MCAT this April and she agrees to be flexible around that time, then it might be worth it. You've already got some research experience, so that's good, but I think your priority should be your grades. If you feel really passionate about the research at this particular lab, go for it, otherwise, you might want to look for something a little more flexible. Tutoring/teaching jobs tend to be pretty flexible, and I've actually had a couple secondaries where they ask directly what my teaching experience is. Not most, but if you've got those leanings, you might want to check it out.

 

[jhrugger]

if you really like the research in this lab, definitely do it. learning how to balance time is probably the best lesson college can teach, and doing research during the school year is not tough when comparing it to the balancing act we'll have to pull off in medical school and definitely residency.

so advice: if you really want to do this research, do it and figure out how to balance time and prioritize what you like most. (remember, you could always take the mcat in the summer instead of of april- this will free up time during spring semester.)

alternatively, find another lab that involves less time.

good luck in your decision!

 

[sunUCB]

i worked in a lab for 20 hrs/week during my junior year, with many units, and it was definitely doable. my prof was really nice, and he pretty much told me to take 2 weeks off in april so i could focus on the mcat for the last couple of weeks....so you could always ask to do that if you need a little time off.

 

[Haybrant]

if you really like the research in this lab, definitely do it. learning how to balance time is probably the best lesson college can teach, and doing research during the school year is not tough when comparing it to the balancing act we'll have to pull off in medical school and definitely residency.

so advice: if you really want to do this research, do it and figure out how to balance time and prioritize what you like most. (remember, you could always take the mcat in the summer instead of of april- this will free up time during spring semester.)

alternatively, find another lab that involves less time.

good luck in your decision!

I really do agree with this although I would add that if the PI is a stickler about the time that may not be so pleasant. I would recommend trying to find a lab where the PI and researchers are of the mentality that you need to get done what you need to and not be stringent about the number of hours spent. Theres wks in lab where i spend 10 hrs and others were I spent 30. It unfair to say someone needs to be somewhere for x number of hours, esp. if you arent getting paid; often when they say 15-20 they mean 20-25....

 

[JDAWG07]

I agree with everyone. It is certainly doable. However, make sure that your PI still understands that you are an undergrad. Although I like my thesis research, my PI likes to micromanage everything and seems to forget that I take classes and cannot commit as much time as the graduate students.

 

[DMBFan]

I really do agree with this although I would add that if the PI is a stickler about the time that may not be so pleasant. I would recommend trying to find a lab where the PI and researchers are of the mentality that you need to get done what you need to and not be stringent about the number of hours spent. Theres wks in lab where i spend 10 hrs and others were I spent 30. It unfair to say someone needs to be somewhere for x number of hours, esp. if you arent getting paid; often when they say 15-20 they mean 20-25....

Thanks for the advice everyone - It is interesting that ou said that when they say 15 hours they mean 20 - 25 hours. This one PI that I interviewed w/ told me that 15 hours was the minimum and that she hoped that I could commit even more time than that which I am not so sure about.

I really enjoyed doing research this summer, but then again that was w/o the stress of classes and homework. Also, I liked it bec. the lab where I worked had a great environment socially, but I am not so sure if I would like it if everyone was quiet and went about their work...

Can anyone suggest any other things that I could do that would require less of a time committment? What kind of things are there out there?

 

[illiniTJ]

I'm right there with everyone - same rigorous lab hours, but I found I could do some homework/studying while I waited for my gels to run - Also, I ended up getting keys to the place and would do a lot of my research at night when i had some free time. My GPA suffered the last year, but the experience i got from research is irreplaceable. I earned a lot of respect in my field and am sure it'll be a helpful factor getting into school

 

[DMBFan]

Bump 🙂

 

[uclabruin2003]

hi. i would like to say that research is good if not almost standard across everyone's application. i also want to say that if you cant work 15 hours and take classes and study for the mcat...well...thats not good. most people can. thats a fact. maybe you can study for the mcat over the summer for the august one? that way you can devote more time to class and work. but im sure you can do it all...everyone (well almost everyone) has done the same....good luck.

 

[sfbear]

What everyone wants to devote their time to is different. Sure most people *can* do all that, but it may not be the best plan for everyone. You're only in college once - enjoy it while you can. I already added my $.02 about teaching/tutoring. I think those jobs can give you some really good experience working with people from different backgrounds, etc. (depending on where you are). If you really want to do research, consider taking the august MCAT and then taking a year off to work/prepare your app. You'd have your MCAT scores well before you had to turn in AMCAS, and plenty of time to work on everything. Besides, I personally think there's a lot to be said for taking a year off. Just a thought . . .

 

[fourthyearmed]

I wouldn't use up all that time doing research especially since you've already done some. Studying for classes and the MCAT is WAY, WAY MORE IMPORTANT. Lots of people in med school (including me) have never done research at all. Unless you're really interested in going into research, it would actually look better to spend that time volunteering in a hospital or shadowing a physician since you've already done some research. For example I volunteered one night a week in the local ER during my junior year. Also, enjoy some free time while you have it because once you start med school and residency you won't have much!