Medical schools and plant research

[DoctorAck]

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I just was notified of an opportunity for research on plants at my school. However, I dont' know how Medical school would view this type of research, since it obviously is not medically related. I dont' ahve any post-secondary research and I was wondering do anyone know if a medical school would look at this positively/negatively?

 

[C.P. Jones]

i did plant cell wall research at my undergrad....idk how the schools view it, but if it's what all you can get right now you might as well take it

i personally don't think it matters since right now (i'm assuming you are in undergrad) especially if the science behind the research can still be compared to medical research in terms of genetics, etc. i'm saying this b/c my lab was a molecular bio lab studying the cell wall structure, but the work i did into the genetics of the system helped me to better understand human genetics

also, if you are in undergrad w/ no research experience, then any lab would be great so that you can learn basic lab skills

 

[snobored18]

I started off with plant research...developing a marker assisted selection system for identifying genes that confer pest and disease resistance in soybeans...I've gotten acceptances so clearly it wasn't looked down by ADCOMS...I think it is a small part of the puzzle but I am going to out on a limb and suggest it certainly isn't going to hurt you and its a hell of lot better than sitting around doing nothing...

 

[monkeys!]

Another related question: I am a science major (astronomy). Astronomy research is drastically different from that of other sciences. I don't know if I am going to be able to get out of this research due to potential major requirements. I also have the opportunity to do Biology research, not necesarilly medically related. Just curious if anyone thinks it would be worth it to back out of the astronomy research and do the biology research.

 

[C.P. Jones]

i don't think you should leave astronomy research....anyway,that's something more interesting to talk about at interviews, it's not that hard to do biology research, so if you need it for your major, i would stay w/ the astronomy

 

[tigress]

Well this is sort of related. My friend spent a summer doing plant research (I think on photosynthetic chemicals or something), got an amazing LOR (the PI actually tried to convince her to go there for grad school!), and got into an excellent DPT (doctorate in physical therapy) program with a scholarship.

My husband did microwave research undergrad (he was a physics major) and he was asked in interviews why he did that type of research, and why he was a physics major. Apparently at least one interviewer sort of grilled him about this, but he was asked numerous times. So it might look interesting and stand out, and it definitely shouldn't hurt, but be prepared to answer questions about why you're doing it!

 

[waterlily]

i met a harvard med student who did plant research in undergrad...so it's fine!

 

[Hawkeye Kid]

If it's something that interests you and you'll get legitimate research experience (ie. not washing beakers) then do it. As tigress said, you could potentially get a great LOR discussing your work ethic, ability to think critically, interact with others, etc. As tigress also pointed out, you will stand out and have something to talk about in interviews (this could be positive or negative, most likely fairly neutral) as long as you're prepared to discuss it.

The other benefits, as I see it, are:
You learn research methodology, stats, critical thinking. Maybe you get a pub which is never a bad thing.
You get exposed to research early so that you have an idea going into medical school if it's something that interests you. Many people need to decide whether to spend their M1 summer doing research or clinical activities; if you've already decided where you stand on research, you've made that decision (just make sure that it's research you do/don't like and not the particular research you do in UG).

Bottom line--do it. LOR, experience, $$$. Do you need more reasons? Adcoms don't.

 

[Slackenerny]

Another related question: I am a science major (astronomy). Astronomy research is drastically different from that of other sciences. I don't know if I am going to be able to get out of this research due to potential major requirements. I also have the opportunity to do Biology research, not necesarilly medically related. Just curious if anyone thinks it would be worth it to back out of the astronomy research and do the biology research.

Go for astro research. You'll have plenty of opportunities in the future to do bio if you want. Play with expensive telescopes and instruments and find a fourier transform of something...you know...all those things that make phys science way cooler than bio.

(Oh yeah....I'm a physics snob).