Question regarding first authorship

[idontwatchgreysanatomy]

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Hello everyone. I've read in the past that first authorship on a publication looks pretty good on an application. I have a first author paper that is supposedly getting printed in a well-respected journal in this specific field. However, the paper is essentially a literature review followed by recommendations regarding a specific medical protocol. Does this fact change the impact that the article has on my application? I am just happy to have this opportunity, but I am curious as to whether or not it matters as much as others are telling me. Thanks!

 

[Lysinee]

Any peer reviewed pub helps the app. Don't expect it to cover up other application deficiencies (gpa, mcat, etc). If you still have time, maybe join a basic science or clinical project too.

 

[idontwatchgreysanatomy]

Any peer reviewed pub helps the app. Don't expect it to cover up other application deficiencies (gpa, mcat, etc). If you still have time, maybe join a basic science or clinical project too.

The rest of my app is pretty solid. I'm already involved in a clinical research project, another epi project that I created, and just applied to 15 or so summer research programs. Basic science is great and all, but as a future MD/PhD applicant, my focus is on epi at the moment.

 

[Lysinee]

The rest of my app is pretty solid. I'm already involved in a clinical research project, another epi project that I created, and just applied to 15 or so summer research programs. Basic science is great and all, but as a future MD/PhD applicant, my focus is on epi at the moment.

That's great. These research projects should help the app, especially since you're applying md/phd.

 

[idontwatchgreysanatomy]

That's great. These research projects should help the app, especially since you're applying md/phd.

Thank you, I sure hope so lol

 

[Wolf3D]

Few committee members will ever look up the damn paper, and even fewer will ever want to read it. That being said though most of the time it's easy to tell by the title that it's a review article, especially in visible journals that have similar conventions. I have never cared much if it was an original investigation or review. Both are research and teach you stuff, that's the end goal that matters

 

[Lost in Translation]

The rest of my app is pretty solid. I'm already involved in a clinical research project, another epi project that I created, and just applied to 15 or so summer research programs. Basic science is great and all, but as a future MD/PhD applicant, my focus is on epi at the moment.

Don't forget about volunteering and clinical experience.

 

[idontwatchgreysanatomy]

Don't forget about volunteering and clinical experience.

As a sophomore, I have 200+ hours of clinical volunteering in a free clinic working 1-on-1 with a physician. I plan on continuing that through medical school (if I stay in the same city) because I love it. I also serve on two medical boards, one of which is with my state medical school. Leadership experience consists of working upper-management for a company for several years prior to undergrad (non-trad here). Shadowing so far is limited to 20 hours but working on more. 3 current research projects, all epidemiological in nature, one of which I started and have been involved with grant proposal, research design, and IRB submittal. 90% of all this is tied around a central theme of a specific underserved population, which is my primarily interest of medicine. Hope that covers everything, I wont be applying until 2017 so that should be plenty of time to keep building my application.

 

[idontwatchgreysanatomy]

Few committee members will ever look up the damn paper, and even fewer will ever want to read it. That being said though most of the time it's easy to tell by the title that it's a review article, especially in visible journals that have similar conventions. I have never cared much if it was an original investigation or review. Both are research and teach you stuff, that's the end goal that matters

Yeah it is pretty obvious by the title lol. Definitely learned a lot from this paper that I wouldn't have doing wet lab research so I'm grateful for that.

 

[Lost in Translation]

As a sophomore, I have 200+ hours of clinical volunteering in a free clinic working 1-on-1 with a physician. I plan on continuing that through medical school (if I stay in the same city) because I love it. I also serve on two medical boards, one of which is with my state medical school. Leadership experience consists of working upper-management for a company for several years prior to undergrad (non-trad here). Shadowing so far is limited to 20 hours but working on more. 3 current research projects, all epidemiological in nature, one of which I started and have been involved with grant proposal, research design, and IRB submittal. 90% of all this is tied around a central theme of a specific underserved population, which is my primarily interest of medicine. Hope that covers everything, I wont be applying until 2017 so that should be plenty of time to keep building my application.

You're already doing better than many on these forums. Keep it up.

Just stop being a sharks fan.

 

[idontwatchgreysanatomy]

Thank you. And you think I'd learn by now...

 

[Psai]

Few committee members will ever look up the damn paper, and even fewer will ever want to read it. That being said though most of the time it's easy to tell by the title that it's a review article, especially in visible journals that have similar conventions. I have never cared much if it was an original investigation or review. Both are research and teach you stuff, that's the end goal that matters

They ask about it though, I went to a few interviews where everyone wanted to know about what I did

 

[kwu]

I see just the fact you have your name on a scientific paper will look good on your application. I am not saying it can cover for bad GPA or MCAT but it is a good way to differentiate you amont others.

 

[Law2Doc]

...but it is a good way to differentiate you among others.

MD-PhD applicants all tend to be strong in research. It won't really differentiate OP but it means OP is keeping up with the pack. Which is important.

 

[Wolf3D]

They ask about it though, I went to a few interviews where everyone wanted to know about what I did

Yes they will ask. My point was just that no one will really read it. Research is good as long as you can speak intelligently about it