Publications - how important are they

[skiracer123]

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Hey,

I want to know how beneficial it is to have my name on published papers. Does it matter what the paper is about? What field it is in? What journal it gets published in? How many publications? How much can they help your application beyond the research experience they imply?

thanks

 

[e-spin]

OK, as far as publications go they certainly can't hurt. Best if you are first author. If your name is buried in a 10 author paper, dont think it will score you that many points.
Are you undergrad or grad?? I think if you are UG and you can get a paper even in an obscure journal that is pretty good. If you are grad...hope you at least have a manuscript in progress. Do research in a field that interests you...I think a paper will show you take initiative. As far as journals...we'd all love to get a Science or Nature paper right?? But take we what we can get..your PI will have an idea what journal your manuscript is best suited for....Good Luck!

 

[skiracer123]

I'm a post-bac student, still doing undergrad courses but out of college.

Also, if I'm doing research, will it help to be doing it with doctors at the medical school I want to attend?

 

[e-spin]

Almost forgot...If you are doing MD/PhD...yeah, papers can make you I think especially out of UG. 🙂

Much Luck,
Spin

 

[VienneseWaltz]

Certainly, they will notice if you are first author, but even just being a named co-author as an undergraduate is impressive. I can't speak for other disciplines, but it is difficult to get published in economics (especially health economics), even for professors, so I am quite proud of the 3 articles I've co-authored as a master's student, even though in citations I am buried in the et al.

By no means are publications necessary to get into med school, except perhaps for MSTP (but I will let an MSTP person comment on that).

 

[e-spin]

VW...that is awesome bout the papers...didnt mean to imply that being 1st author is the end all be all of getting your papers noticed by adcoms!!! Especially in ECON...that is really tough.
I would definitely take being and et al than not being at all!!!!! 🙂
Hope to get a 1st author paper out soon...too bad not it time for this app cycle...OH well!!
Spin

 

[VienneseWaltz]

Originally posted by skiracer123
I'm a post-bac student, still doing undergrad courses but out of college.

Also, if I'm doing research, will it help to be doing it with doctors at the medical school I want to attend?

I'm sure it won't hurt, but I wrote 2 papers with a Duke med professor ... got waitlisted there. Papers look good, though (they seemed impressed at JHU), so don't sweat whether it's a particular topic, particular journal, first author, certain professor, etc. It matters when you are up for tenure, but not at this stage.

 

[GeneralTso]

I had five journal articles (some experimental and some reviews) and one book chapter at the time I applied and it was always a good way to frame interviews at the more top tier schools. I have no clue how its factored in at other schools where research is not a focus and NIH money is scarce.

I can also attest for the impossibility of getting your name on a econ paper as an undergrad. I think convention is to stick you in acknowledgements or someother bs place regardless of the level of contribution you make to the paper.

 

[Adcadet]

I would hope adcoms are realistic and realize that publications aren't a clear-cut measure of research experience and ability. Don't worry if you don't have publications - just get your PI to write a good LOR. If I were an adcom I'm much prefer to admit a student with no publications but with a good LOR than somebody who just has a publication or two. I think as long as your PI can write a good LOR that clearly states that he/she has committment, works hard in the lab, and has learned a lot, you'll be fine.

 

[Flack Pinku]

Not many students do research as an undergraduate when they apply to med school.

Of those who did some research, very few have their name published, especially as a first author. It's very rare believe it or not--there are many on this board because this board has some really rare personalities.

Therefore, it sets you apart as one in a few if you have published, and especially first or second author. Presentations also count--if you can't publish, but can present the paper at a conference, that could be something you can put down.

If you enjoy your research, you should try to approach your professor about doing your own project.

You don't have to find the cure for AIDS, it can be however "insignificant." Just having published something that has been reviewed by peers and accepted says a lot more than you can during your interview.

As for recommendations, I think publications speak for themselves. Recommendations are an icing.

 

[sunflower79]

I think Flacku Pinku provides perspective. I'm biased, of course, since I haven't any publications (yet), but I think your role in your research project and your interest in it is even more important. It takes a lot of time and effort (if your study is sizable) to produce a manuscript. Even producing an abstract (first author) can take significant effort, and adcoms recognize that. When I interviewed the fact that I've presented my abstract at regional and national conferences seemed to be impressive. And of course it helped that I'm passionate about the mission of my project and had a blast explaining it to people!

 

[Adcadet]

I have publications, and I've noticed that for years I had none yet had done good work. Then, out of the blue (well, not exactly, but I was by them years away from that work), some stuff gets published, and people assume I'm great at research, yet the only thing that changed was time. I know people who have publisehd who have done much less than others who have not published- the published people were just in the right place at the right time. Granted, this isn't first author stuff.

 

[standoc]

Hey,

I might be an exception, but I have 0 publications but have done research three of my summers and during one school year. However, that hasn't stopped me from getting interviews at competitive research schools, and even a couple acceptances so far. My perception from my interviewers is that they value the fact the student is interested in the research and knows what hes talking about (can explain well)...the enthusiasm for it seems key, not necesarily the publication track record. Also I'm sure the strong LORs are important too.

Standoc