Leadership Question

[Youngm2194]

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Does a first author publication count as leadership experience? I know everyone can't be president of a club etc. but I was wondering if this is viewed the same way. Obviously first author implies you're in charge of it but I'm curious how it ranks on the leadership scale

 

[DrDorianTurkleton]

Listing it on your AMCAS as leadership might not be the way to go, but in the description of the activity, I would mention the leadership qualities you embodied as you went from research-->publication.

 

[Catalystik]

Does a first author publication count as leadership experience? I know everyone can't be president of a club etc. but I was wondering if this is viewed the same way. Obviously first author implies you're in charge of it but I'm curious how it ranks on the leadership scale

Did you train, monitor, coordinate and take responsibility for the efforts of your peers as they helped you with this project? Then include these factors in the description of your role in your Research entry. I agree that you certainly would not list this under Leadership, but if it sounds leadership-y via the description, adcomms will take note.

 

[Slave to the Game]

First author typically means that you did the majority of the work. Last author is usually reserved for the PI, who is the actual leader in the research project. He is your research mentor for a reason. You're not running your own lab, writing your own grants, delegating tasks to post-docs and graduate students, and coordinating with other professors/departments on joint projects or presentations. Unless you had subordinates directly under you in carrying out this project, this is not a leadership experience. Leading your own research project doesn't mean you were a leader.

 

[PremedSingh]