Pubs and MD-only Admissions

[Pathobio1]

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Do primary care schools give any weight to research-heavy applicants (multiple 1st author pubs)? What do students who have publications but average numbers do since it seems like all the research schools have the top students numbers-wise?

I understand it's not the worse situation to be in but I'd still like some advice.

 

[Goro]

It's not going to be a burden, if that's what you're asking. Any PI who's one the AdCom or doing the interviewing might very well think (and I've done this in the past) "I could use this guy/gal in my lab!".

But publications, even in Nature or Science, aren't going to get you into medical school...it's the whole package.

The students with avg numbers won't go to Yale or Wash U; they'll go to Drexel, Wake Forest or their state school.

Do primary care schools give any weight to research-heavy applicants (multiple 1st author pubs)? What do students who have publications but average numbers do since it seems like all the research schools have the top students numbers-wise?

I understand it's not the worse situation to be in but I'd still like some advice.

 

[Law2Doc]

Do primary care schools give any weight to research-heavy applicants (multiple 1st author pubs)? What do students who have publications but average numbers do since it seems like all the research schools have the top students numbers-wise?

I understand it's not the worse situation to be in but I'd still like some advice.

There isn't really such a thing as as a "primary care" school or a "research" school. There are schools that generate a lot of research $, and schools that wish they generated a lot of research $; the latter sometimes plays up the importance of primary care placement or other things because they have to play up something. Its basically like playing up an unattractive persons personality, because they don't have the looks. So they certainly don't dislike research heavy applicants. And so publications always look good. They may not be valued quite as much as some ECs at some places, but they always look good, to everyone.

 

[Pathobio1]

Thank you both, that makes sense!

 

[serendipity007]

It's not going to be a burden, if that's what you're asking. Any PI who's one the AdCom or doing the interviewing might very well think (and I've done this in the past) "I could use this guy/gal in my lab!".

But publications, even in Nature or Science, aren't going to get you into medical school...it's the whole package.

The students with avg numbers won't go to Yale or Wash U; they'll go to Drexel, Wake Forest or their state school.

I definitely agree with the first part: the whole package is what will matter, which by the way is precisely the reason why students with avg numbers can get into research heavy schools. Is it rare? Sure! But if you can provide a compelling application, excellent interview, and a bit of luck, you can get into a top school. The trick is not to keep your hopes up too high. Be realistic, OP, and you won't do yourself a disservice. 😀

 

[Pathobio1]

I don't really care about going to a top research school, I just wanted to make sure that my strength in research would mean something for "primary care" or state schools that usually value community service more. I could probably use some more volunteering regardless.

 

[serendipity007]

I don't really care about going to a top research school, I just wanted to make sure that my strength in research would mean something for "primary care" or state schools that usually value community service more. I could probably use some more volunteering regardless.

Ah you should be fine then. Research won't matter as much, but can only help in your case. Be prepared to talk about it in your interviews if you end up doing it though.

 

[Sephiroth]

I don't know. As people have said, I don't think research would hurt you, but in the context of your whole application, it might if you don't have a similarly large amount of community service type experience. At some of the interviews I attended at schools that were more community service focused, some of the interviewers seemed clearly displeased with the fact that my experiences section of my application was weighted heavily in favor of research over community service. So personally, I'd advise you to spend some time accumulating a lot of community service experience if you don't think you'll be that competitive for higher-ranking research schools and will be focused on more schools with a community service focus.

As an aside, I know a few people who got into good MSTPs with mediocre numbers but really good research experience, if u did want to do that.

 

[Pathobio1]

Yeah I was afraid of community service schools looking down on having more research than service. I've played with the idea of applying to MSTP at a few schools. We'll see... Thanks all for the input.

 

[zippyziggy]

I've played with the idea of applying to MSTP at a few schools.

this raises red flags to me, since it seems like you don't really want to do research. but (i'm assuming) your lack of experience with primary care and your intention to go into it is also somewhat alarming.

why don't you just apply to research-focused schools, and do primary care there? all research-heavy med schools will prepare you for primary care and may even prefer people that are interested in it, since they don't get many of those types of applications. or, apply to primary care schools, and stand out with your research. it's all in the way you frame your application: if your goals are clear, and you've demonstrated commitment and understanding of your intended field, then med schools are going to want you. going MSTP is not the safer option.

 

[Pathobio1]

I have no intention to do primary care, and am applying to research schools. I have the intention to become a doctor to do research AND treat patients, so I want to apply to as many schools that would want me. The point of this thread was to see if I should add primary care schools to my list of applications because I don't know if my numbers will be competitive enough for the research schools.

 

[zippyziggy]

ah, thanks for the clarification. i think you're in a sort of a bind then - my advice on framing your application still stands, but i think you should take care to look up every school's mission statement and cherry-pick specific words and show how your experiences meet them. do some great hand-waving for primary care schools, and heavily emphasize your research at research-intensive schools. say that your focus on doing great research took you away from your grades, or something like that.

other than that, apply broadly and early is probably your best bet. good luck.