Medical Question about listing research experiences

[GoSpursGo]

So I have been a research assistant with a psychology lab for about a year now. My duties at the lab involved basic RA stuff. However, I was also awarded an undergraduate research fellowship for a project that I designed from the ground up. From this project, I collect data from human subjects. I also anticipate getting a publication from this, and as part of the fellowship requirements, I have to present a poster at my university's undergraduate research symposium. How many entries would all this count on AMCAS? Is it: research (for the basic RA stuff with the lab), another research entry (talk about designing the project, writing the grant and actually obtaining a fellowship), then poster/presentation (for the symposium) and publication? So would all this be considered 4 separate entries? The fellowship, poster, and publication are all from the same project so I'm confused about how to list these. Getting the fellowship will also be one of my most meaningfuls, is this a good idea? Also, the fellowship was only for $350 (max was $500), is this a red flag since its not a lot of money? Thank you in advance!

Assuming that this project was still completed under the same PI, I would list it all as one research experience. The fellowship is an award, which should be a separate section, but you can mention it in the research experience. Then correct, you have a poster. If the paper is accepted by the time AMCAS opens, then that is also a publication.

And don't be silly, there is no amount of money that is insignificant/a red flag 😛

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[GoSpursGo]

Thanks so much for responding. I'm worried that I won't have enough space to discuss everything even if I list as most meaningful...

Then you're saying too much. 2-3 sentences per entry, max.

 

[GoSpursGo]

Alright, I understand, thank you. Also, since you're here, I had another question for you. Is there an edge for applicants who indicate that they want to practice medicine with the underprivileged? And if so, how would one show this? Would volunteering at a free clinic do it?

Not really, because doing some sort of volunteering for the less fortunate is something that most if not all applicants have somewhere on their app. It is honestly a mild red flag if you DON'T have something to check that box somewhere.

There are a handful of schools with specialized tracks, but I wouldn't pursue these unless you actually want to practice in that setting and have strongly demonstrated that.

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

No, don't say. DO. Anyone (and many do say) that they want to do rural medicine and help the underprivileged for free and work all night...but then they don't. The best way is to show the ACOM by volunteering.

Oh, and this is one research experience. Put the highest level, whether it be publication or poster, on there. Don't "pad" your app.

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

Thanks for the response. I'm in the process of founding a club that provides free BP screenings to the homeless. Would this count as "doing" not "saying". And how is this for an experience?

Yes, it would.

 

[GoSpursGo]

Once you actually do it, sure. If you’re submitting your app and it’s one of your projected activities, not so much.