NO research interest?

[BEETLEVH]

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Hi everyone. Thanks in advance for reading my post. I have a bit of a nagging problem... I have zero interest in research. I mean none. I've tried attending info sessions, talking to other students who did research, but to no avail. Now I know not everyone needs to see life through a microscope, have a pet lab mouse, and eat off of petri dishes to be a good doc. However, it bugs me that I have no love for a very integral portion of what, if successful, turns out to eventually be clinical medicine, which I DO love. Does that make sense?

Anyone else like me out there? Any suggestions? Believe me I am NOT one of those people who can go do it just for the sake of being able to put it on a piece of paper one day to help sway an admissions committee. Please offer any decent advice you might have. Thank you.

 

[Adapt]

I hated research and so I never did any. I only volunteered and did community service things. I've had several interviews and acceptances. You don't need research if all you want to be is a clinician.

 

[jlee9531]

dont worry about it. many people get accepted without having any research.

 

[Spitting Camel]

Have you thought about clinical research - retrospective chart reviews that evaluate the adequacy of surgical procedures? You should look into it. It's more relevant to a career in medicine. I see basic science research as a drag too, so I stopped after one year.

 

[donuthole]

try clinical research in an area that really interests you--I'm sure you'll like it.

 

[osar92]

I was a bit turned off by research at first, too. But then when I actually got involved, it turned out to be a really interesting and cool experience. I knew at first that I didnt want to jump right into a project and then have to quit in case I didnt like it, so I kind of took baby steps towards getting an independent project. this kind of gave me a safety net and prevented me from getting on the bad side of any professors or reserachers. I first volunteered in a hospital lab (tissue typing). this comitment was for just 10 weeks, 3 hrs a week. no big deal, and plus i was getting volunteer hours out of it. I liked this, so then I got a job as a lab tech - this was really great. I got payed and got to help out some grad students with their projects. This is where i kind of learned how to do everything. After this, i decided i wanted my own project so i went for it and am now loving reseraching in a lab.

i guess my point is, that if you allow urself to get involved in reserach in a small way, you may find that you do really like it. And if not, then you know right away and havent really gotten yourself tangled up in a big mess with your own project.

Good Luck!

 

[thackl]

I have never, ever done anything even close to medical research.

 

[mlw03]

i'm in the same position as the thread's starter. i don't do research, and while i have gotten in at my state schools, i'm fairly sure that my lack of research is hurting my chances at the top-tier schools. so while you can certainly get into medical school if you're not into research, realize that it will be tougher to get into those big dog schools.

 

[elias514]

I hate basic science research with a passion. In fact, my brief stint as a scientific researcher (one summer a couple of years ago) actually pushed me into medicine as a career. The utter lack of meaningful contact with other human beings in scientific research really turned me off.

Notwithstanding my limited exposure to basic science research and my open disdain for it during interviews, I was still accepted to a top ten med school. So don't sweat it, man. The role of doctor entails working with PEOPLE, not freakin lab rats.

 

[dara678]

Hi,

Although research wasn't something I was ever interested in, I wanted to try it out just to see what it was like. I ended up learning a lot and seeing the very academic side of medicine; though it didn't induce me to continue doing research, I still value the experience that I received.

I would say, try it out, just for the experience. I think you'll end up learning a lot, and if you don't like it, at least you can say that you tried it and didn't like it. At least it shows you are willing and open to try new things. 🙂

On a side note, I heard recently -- from an adcom member -- that residencies like surgery and ER now require research. Anyone know if this is valid?

 

[Megalofyia]

I know that the neurosurgery program at the school I work at requires 2 years of research.

 

[Street Philosopher]

require is a strong word. most people i've heard from have said that it is a plus, but not a requirement. they always frame it as one of many factors that can make you stand out.

oh yeah, once you get into a residency, some require 1-2 years of research, as megalofyia mentioned.

see for yourself:
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/2997.html

 

[prmd4555]

The one piece of advice I can offer is just do what you want!! I think that through this whole process you just need to be honest with yourself and do what appeals to you and helps you challenge yourself and grow. I have already gotten acceptances to two top medical schools and I think it is because I was genuine about following my own interests...If you do research bc it will fill in some premed formula you will just look like every other cookie cutter applicant. There are so many other options to explore medicine - volunteer at a camp for children with terminal illnesses (there are many around the country), homeless shelters, study history whatever! Maybe even research in another area like epidemiology, health policy or philosophy. Do what you want!!

 

[Tezzie]

Correct me if i am wrong here.

When someone tries to match for residency (even for a not so hard to get in field like IM) at the top places (UCSF, Hopkins, MassG,...), doesn't he/she need some research also through med school? I hear that apart from class ranking, prestige of institution, AOA etc , some places you need research to match.

True or not?

 

[superdevil]

i strongly recommend to the OP (and anyone else, for that matter) that you TRY some research. i was unsure at first, too, but when i tried it for a summer i totally LOVED it. now i do research in two labs at school.

will having zero research hurt you at top schools? probably. can you get into med school with zero research? absolutely.

unless you have your heart set on harvard or washU, don't worry- but you should try it anyway (imo).

 

[Lux Aeterna]

I used to hate basic science research, but wanted to give it a try. I'm now hooked! I think the key is to find a lab where you can see how the science you do really correlates to making a change in patients' lives. I work w/ MDs and MD/PHDs at CHOP and its really neat to talk to the attendings and discuss how the work we do translates therapeutically..It's all about the kids! hehe

 

[Pinkertinkle]

Without research experience, you'll certainly be at a disadvantage compared to another applicant with your stats, ec's and research, especially at the top schools in the country.

 

[DoctorWannaBe]

I've never done any research either, but I don't really like the intro bio, chem, organic chem, and physics labs I've taken. Is this any indication that I wouldn't like basic science research?

 

[IluvMCAT]

I'd like to point something out, and perhaps some people will disagree with me. I think that there's a big difference between doing research as an undergrad or postbac (when you have little knowledge about the field in which you are working) and when you are a physician (when you have an in depth knowledge of the field). In the former case, you usually are only doing grunt work for your PI in an effort to pad your resume. This is not always the case, but I think it is more the rule than the exception. In the latter case, you have an opportunity to make a significant contribution and to determine the direction of your research. My main point is that if you aren't interested in research now, you may decide that you love it later in your career.

It's kind of silly to me that having your name on a paper is thought of as such a great thing by applicants and Adcoms because most of the time the student researcher has contributed little to the project. I think one's time is just as well spent learning a foreign language, reading, or doing something that you really love. Of course, we'll see where this attitude gets me, lol..... and if you really enjoy research, then of course you should be involved in it. Why did I write this? I'm just trying to pass the time until I hear bacl from schools. aggghhhh!

 

[Lux Aeterna]

Originally posted by DoctorWannaBe
I've never done any research either, but I don't really like the intro bio, chem, organic chem, and physics labs I've taken. Is this any indication that I wouldn't like basic science research?

I don't think so. I hated labs in school with a passion, but that's cuz they were so lame. I feel like in a research lab, you can see the light at the end of the tunnel with the stuff you do. I really think who your mentor/PI is makes a ton of difference in cultivating a good research experience.

 

[musiclink213]

i had the chance to do "research" over the summer. i talked to some people who did this same program, and they said all they ever did was play video games on the computer, and prepare the occasional microscope slide. i'm sorry, but i don't see what this has to do with medecine in the slightest. i do more in my labs for school. i don't think this will put me at a disadvantage cause i have other stuff besides just research. besides, think this all goes back to doing what you do. the adcoms will be able to tell when they ask you about your research if you really enjoyed it, or if you did it so it looks good on your app.

 

[Pinkertinkle]

I think it would be stupid to do research if that research consists entirely of playing games or doing bitch work (This is also true for hospital volunteering). However, this is not always the case. You can find a good research position that is a great learning experience and leads to you doing self directed research. The strategies involved in doing your own undergrad research are similar to research many top tier universities may expect you to do, and medical schools will definitely be happy that you have had such experiences. So, don't just rule out research out as a worthless experience.

 

[Rendar5]

I've had 6 years worth of doing science research. You don't need it if you don't have any interest in it. In fact, if you don't have much interest in it, don't do it because you just won't get anything out of it. Do try clinical research once, though. It is very different from fundamental research and you might end up liking it. Anyway, do some volunteering and community service instead since that is probably just as useful for getting into med school.