No Research?

[bgreet]

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I was just wondering how many people get in without some form of research? I will be a junior next year and have yet to have done some type of research, should I be frantically searching for some to do?

*Edit sorry I really meant for this post to be in the pre-do forum but I guess it will be ok to leave it here

 

[(nicedream)]

I was just wondering how many people get in without some form of research? I will be a junior next year and have yet to have done some type of research, should I be frantically searching for some to do?

*Edit sorry I really meant for this post to be in the pre-do forum but I guess it will be ok to leave it here

You don't need any research to get into medical school. I would guess that 95% of accepted students haven't done any. For certain residencies, it's a different story, but medschool, no.

 

[luckystar]

I've noticed that it's always either/or when it comes to research. Either you love it or you hate it. While you definitely do not need it when it comes to applying for med school, you might want to try it just to see if you're interested in that sort of thinking. And if you do commit to a project, expect to be asked about it during the interview, and also may be asked if you desire to pursue more research as a med student. That can be a plus, if you do. At least at DMU, people are rewarded for wanting to do it, and some of the professors heavily advocate for it.

On the other hand, if you really don't enjoy research, your time can be spent doing equally "valued" activities, such as getting more experience in the clinical setting, volunteering, etc.

 

[Amy B]

I had no research experiences and I got in. Don't worry about it. Just make sure you have done other things and not having research won't hurt you.

 

[drdrtoledo]

Word. If you don't have the research it won't be a big deal. If you want, you can volunteer at a lab one summer. But very few have done much research. Most have done clinical experiences at hospitals. Just keep it real and DON'T LIE! They will ask you about the research if you list it.
ATnS

 

[brianjc]

I have a somewhat different opinion. Sure you don't need research to be competitive at D.O. schools. However, if you have time for it by all means it is something that you should pursue. Trying to do research in medical school is difficult, especially at a D.O. school because the emphasis and the variety of research just isn't there. But when residency applications role around it is something good to have under your belt. So if you can do it in undergrad by all means do so.

Also, research teaches you how to problem solve and think out of the box. It also solidifies the science you are using in such a way that you will never forget it.

Research is also something that whether you like it or not is an integral part of medicine and the practice of medicine. When we are all docs and done with residency we will still spend hours a week reading journals and studying others research. As such it is of importance to have research experience to be able to help ourselves critically think through an article and decide if it will be of importance for our patients.

 

[luckystar]

brianjc brings up a good point. I'm doing some clinical research now, and am so glad that I have experience in this sort of thing because I am expected to work independently and get things done before I was even told to do so. If you get exposed as an undergrad, you will learn the process and what is important in a good research project. The impression that you will be able to make should you choose to take on more research as a med student will be far greater if you already know the ropes.

 

[bgreet]

Cool 🙂 Thanks for the input and different viewpoints guys. I think I will try my hand in research, now just comes the point of finding some to take part in. Do you guys do it at your school or at the local academic medical school/hospital?

 

[luckystar]

In undergrad, I just did it at school. Now I'm doing it at a local hospital. My friends who are still around this summer have projects on campus. It might be easiest to try and hook up with one of your science profs, who will be able to teach you better if they regularly have students working in their lab. Even if they don't have ongoing projects, they should be able to point you in the right direction if you show interest. Good luck!