Research experience

[aquafina90]

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Hello everyone,

I am a 2nd year student and I have been working in a research lab at my school since last summer (2009). I have been worried about how this will play a role in my future because the subject that we are researching is not really related to medicine. Since I plan to apply for MDPhD programs in medical schools, will this be a problem or is it the research experience that counts and not the subject?

Also, another quick question is how should I balance clinical volunteering and time in the lab? Should I have more of one than the other?

Thanks a lot for any responses!

 

[CielloStelatto]

Well, what type of research is it, and how far away from medicine is it? Yes, the type of research you do will affect how schools view your application, but it doesn't have to be clinical research or disease-directed research. if it's art history research.... md/phd's probably won't see that as research. math/psych is sort of middle ground, from what i've seen. but wet lab / bench research is what really counts for md/phd's.

In terms of volunteering vs lab time, I've seen that mdphd programs like to see some sort of volunteering and clinical exposure - something just significant enough that you've experienced it and still think medicine is for you, and that you've given at least something back to your community. A summer, or a year once a week would be plenty. Research is a separate issue. Programs like applicants to have done significant, ideally self-directed research. 1+ full years minimum. 2+ years looks better.

 

[gbwillner]

Hello everyone,

I am a 2nd year student and I have been working in a research lab at my school since last summer (2009). I have been worried about how this will play a role in my future because the subject that we are researching is not really related to medicine. Since I plan to apply for MDPhD programs in medical schools, will this be a problem or is it the research experience that counts and not the subject?

Also, another quick question is how should I balance clinical volunteering and time in the lab? Should I have more of one than the other?

Thanks a lot for any responses!

I don't think the subject's relation to medicine will matter at all in your candidacy. As long as it is science and not theology research.

 

[Freak]

If you can tell us what field of research (or the topic of your project), that would help.

I would not say that non-medical fields of research are not valuable ... I think some of the coolest advances could potentially come from being able to think outside of the box. This will all depend on how you present your research.

If you are studying one enzyme in yeast or flies and no real correlate to medicine (other than a very long winded explanation citing a zebra) ... welcome to MD/PhD basic science research. Most MSTP's I know actually don't do clinical translational research (bench-to-bedside).

On the volunteering front. I would suggest shadowing a doctor rather than the standard "standing around in an ER running samples". It will probably give you a better flavor (at least of primary care) and be more interesting.

 

[aquafina90]

Thanks for the responses so far. Yeah, the research is in molecular biology so I guess its science but it falls almost into the environmental area of biology not really medicine. Well if it's just scientific research that they are looking for then I'm happy.

I'm currently working on my 150 hours at a hospital and I think thats as much as I can manage without sacrificing the quality of my lab time and grades. Is this enough clinical time or should I be doing more?

 

[Freak]

So in terms of that ... NIEHS (Environmental and Health Science) actually funds NRSA Kirschstein fellowships for MD/PhD, so it definitely has some relevance.

http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-209.html

 

[DendWrite]

I'm currently working on my 150 hours at a hospital and I think thats as much as I can manage without sacrificing the quality of my lab time and grades. Is this enough clinical time or should I be doing more?

It is PLENTY.