Medical students in a large class size, do you feel like you have to compete for resources?

[puahate]

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One thing i hated in undergrad is competing for opprunitites like research. A lot of med students in decent MD schools have noted how abundant opprunitites are and how easy it is to get involved.

My first question is, is that true?

My second is, do larger class sizes increase the competition to get involved in opportunities especially research opportunities?

 

[DrFortiusNatando]

One thing i hated in undergrad is competing for opprunitites like research. A lot of med students in decent MD schools have noted how abundant opprunitites are and how easy it is to get involved.

My first question is, is that true?

My second is, do larger class sizes increase the competition to get involved in opportunities especially research opportunities?

As someone who helps medical students find research mentors, there are a lot of factors here. One of the most important factors is whether the school pays the students for their research time or whether any payment comes out of the individual labs. At schools where the PI does not have to pay each student themselves, there are more PI's who are interested and able to take on students.

Also, of course it is supply and demand. Even a large class size of students can be accommodated if the school has a large research faculty - you can estimate this by looking at the USNWR rankings for research. While not perfect, a school with a large class size and low research school ranking will probably have issues with there being enough opportunities for everyone.

And lastly, it will somewhat depend on an individual school and in what sub-specialty the individual student has an interest. Even at our research heavy institution, there are times when the top researchers in a smaller field who work well with students (in ENT, or DERM, or ORTHO, for example) have no more room for another student, especially if there are a lot of other students currently interested in the same field and/or the student emails the PI in Spring for a Summer project.

 

[puahate]

As someone who helps medical students find research mentors, there are a lot of factors here. One of the most important factors is whether the school pays the students for their research time or whether any payment comes out of the individual labs. At schools where the PI does not have to pay each student themselves, there are more PI's who are interested and able to take on students.

Also, of course it is supply and demand. Even a large class size of students can be accommodated if the school has a large research faculty - you can estimate this by looking at the USNWR rankings for research. While not perfect, a school with a large class size and low research school ranking will probably have issues with there being enough opportunities for everyone.

And lastly, it will somewhat depend on an individual school and in what sub-specialty the individual student has an interest. Even at our research heavy institution, there are times when the top researchers in a smaller field who work well with students (in ENT, or DERM, or ORTHO, for example) have no more room for another student, especially if there are a lot of other students currently interested in the same field and/or the student emails the PI in Spring for a Summer project.

Do top schools usual fund for research stipends? Also i assumed most students just volunteered in a lab? I did that in my home institution and thought it was the same

 

[ciestar]

Nope, and I haven’t heard anyone else complain it was difficult either.

The only thing competitive were internships after first year. You had to apply and interview for them. Otherwise, my school just gives a nice list about ongoing projects willing to take people on.

 

[DrFortiusNatando]

Do top schools usual fund for research stipends? Also i assumed most students just volunteered in a lab? I did that in my home institution and thought it was the same

Typically, students do not get paid if they work in a lab during the school year. However, there are some research institutions that fund students for the first year summer and for a 5th year research year. Sometimes, all students are eligible and at other schools, there might be a competitive process to apply for the funding.

At other schools, students need to get their own funding extramurally or from a PI if they want to get paid for the summer or a 5th year, if allowed. This is information that can be obtained on interview days or during second look, if not obvious from on-line materials in the research tab of the school's website. One could also call the research office at the medical school to find out about how or if student research is funded during the summer after first year or for a fifth year.

 

[puahate]

Typically, students do not get paid if they work in a lab during the school year. However, there are some research institutions that fund students for the first year summer and for a 5th year research year. Sometimes, all students are eligible and at other schools, there might be a competitive process to apply for the funding.

At other schools, students need to get their own funding extramurally or from a PI if they want to get paid for the summer or a 5th year, if allowed. This is information that can be obtained on interview days or during second look, if not obvious from on-line materials in the research tab of the school's website. One could also call the research office at the medical school to find out about how or if student research is funded during the summer after first year or for a fifth year.

Thanks for the advice. Research is definitely a big deal for me

 

[Lucca]

Very school specific.