Magical formula for how to get into a Top Medical School:

[Spinach Dip]

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So I'll summarize your OP. You wanna get into a top medical school? Be outstanding in everything you do.

Damn. Why do you have to make it SO hard?

 

[GomersGoToGround]

I agree, but I'd just like to add that the quality/quantity of the research/pubs/posters doesn't necessarily reflect the student as a potential researcher.

An extreme example, a lot of research in the physical sciences takes years to publish.

Hell, even biomed science research isn't quick either.

If the PI or postdoc the student works under isn't competent, the student isn't likely to have impressive things to discuss in a poster or show off a pub, even if they've done their job. I'm admittedly a bit biased because I've written off trying MD/PhD partially for this mentioned reason.

I'm at a research powerhouse, but even I recognize that lower-ranked or smaller schools often do not present their students with the "sufficiently autonomous" and consistent research positions med schools love. Summer programs then?

So it sounds like there may be other "factors" at work for the magical formula...

\rant

Of course, I would hope that people recognize this.

My point was not that you must have pubs. My point was that you do not have to go to a 5 star powerhouse that is well-recognized, in order to be considered by top medical schools. You have to demonstrate significant research involvement.

Whatever that means, it's on a case-by-case basis.

 

[altblue]

Of course, I would hope that people recognize this.

My point was not that you must have pubs. My point was that you do not have to go to a 5 star powerhouse that is well-recognized, in order to be considered by top medical schools. You have to demonstrate significant research involvement.

Whatever that means, it's on a case-by-case basis.

Definitely.

I'm just a bit bitter about research to be honest and just want to whine about it. Oh well....

 

[GomersGoToGround]

Definitely.

I'm just a bit bitter about research to be honest and just want to whine about it. Oh well....

If you're not bitter, then you're not doing research!

I understand. It's quite the drag. When I was in undergrad, I hated research (aside from my PI and a few other students), mainly because of a couple of arrogant students. This arrogance, combined with the dread of my own experiments not turning out the way I had wished, was the perfect recipe for disaster.

Research is tedious, frustrating, often boring, but very necessary, and, if we're lucky, fruitful.