Professional Conferences? EXPLAIN YOURSELVES PLEASE

[Neuralicious]

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Hello world!

Well I am going into my third year at a university and am planning on applying to MD/PhD programs. I have been doing research for 2 summers and an academic year so far, so in order for more research I am considering staying another year at my undergrad institution (5 years total).

Now my research has had TERRIBLY unsuccessful at results. Now don't get me wrong I work about 20 hrs/wk during the year & 40+ hrs/wk both summers and have learned A LOT in biochemistry. It's a bit upsetting too, because I know students with less insight in their project and have spent less time on it but are significantly closer to publication.

Now what I am wondering is how do you guys find conferences to present your research at? I have presented the same poster twice at two poster presentation days at my university, but I am talking at a national level.
I know I need at the very least some solid preliminary data, but I have been told I can also present efficient protocols of my research.

Do you guys (the students) find conferences? Or do your PI's find conferences and things of that sort?

Last question... how important is a publication really when it comes to the admissions process as a whole?

THANK YOU SDN!

 

[Fencer]

UG projects often end up in dead-end streets. What matters is the amount and depth of experience. Clearly, an individual with multiple publications will have a better story. Nevertheless, you can't remake your past but only your future. Getting a presentation at a national conference will help you. You need to talk frankly with your PI about your career goals and needs for been competitive. Your PI should suggest to you venues or meetings where to present your research.

 

[Neuralicious]

Soo... essentially because my PI gave me a bad project I will be hurt in my application cycle?... Seems unreasonable, but ok. How can I make this clear that I have the dedication & knowledge of a student with a publication?

And my PI doesn't present his data at conferences (as far as I know...), how do I approach him about conferences for me to present at?

EDIT: Sorry folks... this statement came off harsh. I definitely didn't mean it the way that you're taking it as (try to understand the meaning of what I am saying and not the literal translations... my English isn't the best).

 

[geeyouknit]

Soo... essentially because my PI gave me a bad project I will be hurt in my application cycle?... Seems unreasonable, but ok. How can I make this clear that I have the dedication & knowledge of a student with a publication?

Wow, that's kind of an arrogant tone to take. Your PI is not out to screw you over. He has better things to do with his time. Which is why he can't spare a lot of it into finding and handing you a project that he thinks you will have a good chance of succeeding in in a 20 hr/week for 1-2 year setting.

What he was saying is that not all projects succeed. Sometimes it's bad luck. But I think a lot of that has to do with the lack of training and/or resources the undergraduate to follow up.

And while it's unfortunate that unpublished applicants like you and me might suffer, it's just what it is. You have to be able to explain to your interviewers what your project was (in great detail), its results and significance, what your role was, etc. They want to see, that at the very least, you understood what you were doing and weren't just following a script of things to do.

This is how I understand it from talking to other scientists. More experienced people can correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Neuronix]

Wow, that's kind of an arrogant tone to take. Your PI is not out to screw you over.

Agreed.

And while it's unfortunate that unpublished applicants like you and me might suffer

I don't know how many times I have to say it. You will not suffer. This is a relatively unimportant part of your application.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=539268

3) Do I need to publish to get into a program or into a top program?

NO. For the one millionth time. NO. It may help, but it is certainly not required. We know that a lot of factors go into publishing and many times these factors are completely out of an undergrad's control. I had nothing published when I applied and that is true for at least half of the people in my year (including the international student).

As for submitting your work to conferences, that is a good discussion to have with your PI. You need to find out what conferences are appropriate for you. You also need to find out how you might get funding or time to go to a conference.