Question about research and how adcoms view it

[pritomd]

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Hey, I was just wondering what adcomcs think about independent research topics.

Currently, I am working in a biology lab that studies electric fish found in S. America and Africa. My friend says I am wasting my time since med schools would rather have research pertaining to medicine or under the medical school.

This leads me to my question: how much do adcoms care about what research you are doing? will they not consider my research experience as much because it does not pertain to the human body as much?

This also brings me to another topic..I am in the engineering school, but I am doing this research with a professor in the BIOL dept on a topic in biology..would med schools consider this weird? I got the project because I was asking during the summer since I wanted a summer job as well as research experience and this professor was the only one that had an opening.

Anyway, thanks for any advice you have..all in all i'm just looking to hear about what you all have to say about medical research vs. the research I'm doing now about fish vs. whether or not I should look for a new project pertaining to my major in engineering.

 

[harvman11]

For the most part, your research is to show that you have the ability to think logically, design experiments, and do independent research. Most adcoms won't care if your research isn't directly related to medicine. As long as you understand why you're doing the research and the research is logical and rigorous, they shouldn't care.

Also, just because your researching some fish doesn't mean it doesn't pertain to medicine... the cell cycle was discovered by people researching yeast, we use other organisms as models all the time.

Finally, I'm a BME major, but I've been doing either Genetics or Biochemistry research for the past 2 years. I've never done any actual engineering research. I know several people in a similar position, so I don't think they'll find it that weird.

My advice depends mostly on how involved you are: If you have an independent project that you are enjoying and making progress on, then stick with it. If you can get a publication, then all of a sudden you have something most applicants don't, giving you an edge. Even if you don't, sticking with something shows dedication, and you may still get a poster or conference or something.

 

[pritomd]

Thanks for the response. Any other comments from anyone?

I am thinking about switching out of the project; first of all, I've been thinking about the big picture and even if I don't go to med school, the industry I'll be getting into, and I am having a hard time seeing how this project is relevant besides giving me a taste of independent research. i am thinking about changing projects to a Materials Science/Biomaterials project next year.

 

[rHinO1]

If you like it then stick with it. The type of research doesn't matter as much as how involved you are and how well you are able to talk about it. If you get a poster/presentation then that will look good, and if you get a publication that will be even better.

 

[Narmerguy]

Nope your fine. At this level, research is research to them.

 

[ShinyDome19]

My undergrad / graduate research was on the culturability of bacteria from desert soils and how it was affected by climate change...my interviewers seemed to be somewhat interested in this because it wasnt necessarily related to medicine. Though, one of my interviewers did ask if my research could in anyway be useful to the field of medicine...but, if you think hard enough, I think you can come up with some aspect of any research that could be used in medicine.

you'll be fine.