Questions on the quality and quantity of research experience

[Double Trouble]

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What do you guys think?

How many semesters of research do premed students complete on average?
What number of publications in what kinds of journal (well known vs. obscure) is average?
If you were an adcom, would a student who has one publication in a well known journal trump a student with three publications in average journals?


With respect to the questions above, how much research is "a lot of research"... aka the level that top 10s like to see?

 

[NickNaylor]

You're being way too nitpicky. Do as much research as you can if you enjoy it. An average amount seems to be a summer or two and/or a few semesters during school. Publications definitely aren't the norm.

There publications in average journals versus one publication in a top journal is a trite, useless dichotomy.

 

[scarshapedstar]

You're not really expecting to have a Nature article, are you?

 

[Narmerguy]

Once you are published, it doesn't matter if you are published in two journals or four or one. You're all in the same "elite research" boat.

The average that students complete is different at different schools, it's difficult to know that kind of figure without a school official reporting it. However, I imagine that a full year (including a summer) of research would be a nice place to start with these top schools (though of course by no means necessary).

 

[chemistryguy]

No undergraduae will have three papers published, and if they did cite three papers, I would be very suspiciOus. Publishing papers is very difficult, and a lot of grad students will get PhDs with just three papers published while in grad school, and many with less.

I do think if you have ur name on some paper that mostschools will respect it and give you some research points.

 

[NickNaylor]

No undergraduae will have three papers published, and if they did cite three papers, I would be very suspiciOus. Publishing papers is very difficult, and a lot of grad students will get PhDs with just three papers published while in grad school, and many with less.

I do think if you have ur name on some paper that mostschools will respect it and give you some research points.

Absolutes in medical school admissions are never true. Frankly you would be surprised at some peoples' applications: they're so unreal that they seem like they must be made up. There are some real superstars out there.

 

[235788]

Realistically Quantity > Quality. As long as you can talk about everything independently. Do as much as you can in the short period of time you have available prior to submitting your app.

 

[Double Trouble]

You're not really expecting to have a Nature article, are you?

No....?

I was just wondering what the averages were. I didn't start this thread as a guide for myself.

 

[jaygatsby]

From LizzyM's Ask Me Anything:

"Quote:
Originally Posted by FloridaMedicine
Honestly, Lizzy I've wanted you to do this for so long now that you have I almost don't know what to ask you lol. However I will say I defintely appreciate you and Catalystik for all the advice you have given to thousands over the years.

On another note, is it really pretty much pointless to apply to a school thats top ten with stellar stats, ec's, and letters without much research? If so, how much is enough research? Because I support myself and it's hard to mix in a lot of research, work, and take 16+credits a semester (not to sound like im complaining). Not sure if I could get a publication by graduation🙁

Most, but not all, students at most top schools have done some research. Can you do research for credit so that it counts toward your degree and is research, too?

Having a publication is rare, even among the group we choose to interview (an elite subset of all applicants we see).

Try to get at least 10 weeks (summer) of f/t research or 15 weeks (semester) of part time. "

 

[Double Trouble]

From LizzyM's Ask Me Anything:

"Quote:
Originally Posted by FloridaMedicine
Honestly, Lizzy I've wanted you to do this for so long now that you have I almost don't know what to ask you lol. However I will say I defintely appreciate you and Catalystik for all the advice you have given to thousands over the years.

On another note, is it really pretty much pointless to apply to a school thats top ten with stellar stats, ec's, and letters without much research? If so, how much is enough research? Because I support myself and it's hard to mix in a lot of research, work, and take 16+credits a semester (not to sound like im complaining). Not sure if I could get a publication by graduation🙁

Most, but not all, students at most top schools have done some research. Can you do research for credit so that it counts toward your degree and is research, too?

Having a publication is rare, even among the group we choose to interview (an elite subset of all applicants we see).

Try to get at least 10 weeks (summer) of f/t research or 15 weeks (semester) of part time. "

Yeah I just read that. I didn't realize that having any sort of journal publication was rare.

 

[MossyFiber]

No undergraduae will have three papers published, and if they did cite three papers, I would be very suspiciOus. Publishing papers is very difficult, and a lot of grad students will get PhDs with just three papers published while in grad school, and many with less.

I do think if you have ur name on some paper that mostschools will respect it and give you some research points.

Speak for yourself. I'm working on this. Mind you, I practically live in the lab much like a PhD student would.

Some premeds just like research so they'll do more of it. I'm sure that the top 10s would like students that peruse their strengths. If research is one of these, more is better. If not, if the student finds that they absolutely detest research work, quitting early is understandable.

 

[235788]

Speak for yourself. I'm working on this. Mind you, I practically live in the lab much like a PhD student would.

Some premeds just like research so they'll do more of it. I'm sure that the top 10s would like students that peruse their strengths. If research is one of these, more is better. If not, if the student finds that they absolutely detest research work, quitting early is understandable.

2 months bump. This thread is dead yo

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

No undergraduae will have three papers published, and if they did cite three papers, I would be very suspiciOus. Publishing papers is very difficult, and a lot of grad students will get PhDs with just three papers published while in grad school, and many with less.

I do think if you have ur name on some paper that mostschools will respect it and give you some research points.

I know someone who published three times in peer-reviewed journals during undergrad.