Research experience or work experience?

[TheLadyVanishes]

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I used the search function for this question, but I wanted everyone's fresh take on my particular situation 🙂

I worked for years as a lab assistant at a research lab, mostly setting up experiments and doing maintenance for postdoctoral scientists, but I never conducted independent research and was never published. Is this research or work experience?

I would feel funny calling it a research experience, as I never did my own, but after buying the MSAR and seeing how many schools have >90% of students with research experience, I am terrified to apply without it.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Goro]

Did you actually devise ecperiments, troubleshoot, and think of the next things to do?

or did you merely follow orders?

If the former, then research. if the latter, then it was work. There's a difference between a job and a career.


I worked for years as a lab assistant at a research lab, mostly setting up experiments and doing maintenance for postdoctoral scientists, but I never conducted independent research and was never published. Is this research or work experience?

Don't worry about it. It's your grades, ECs and MCAT that really count.


I would feel funny calling it a research experience, as I never did my own, but after buying the MSAR and seeing how many schools have >90% of students with research experience, I am terrified to apply without it.

 

[ErrantWhatever]

I've always experienced a "broad brush" approach to the term. I'd list it and be prepared to explain it in interviews and/or clarify further on your AMCAS app.

 

[ImhotepIII]

Hey so I'm curious to know if you can use the experience as a apart of your pre-med journey? I'm actually doing the same thing but at a Aids specimen bank as a lab assistant.

 

[kimposibl]

Is there a distinction between a type of lab? I mean, if you're an assistant at a RESEARCH lab, technically, it is research experience. But if you work in a QC lab, I don't think it's considered research. Because even if you are a lowly minion, in a research lab, you still have to understand the projects that are being done, why you're doing them, and why those experiments are being set up. But that's just my opinion, I guess.

 

[Shjanzey]

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[ErrantWhatever]

I worked in a meth lab, and nobody gave me any credit 🙁

...and that's where you're wrong...