Research Experience

[bonaparte]

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Hello! I am a graduating biology major applying to vet schools this summer/fall. I was hoping to get advice regarding research labs:

I just joined a 2nd research lab at my university. This lab is studying effects of meth use on different types of learning in rats, so, obviously, lab animals are used. Would this count as biomedical research? Technically, it's more neuroscience/psychology than anything else...

I guess the actual question is this: What would be the best way to categorize this experience (i.e. animal/veterinary/biomedical/etc)?

My other research lab is a chemistry lab, which I'm assuming can only be classified as "extracurricular" experience, despite relevance to the pharmaceutical industry?

Thanks for taking the time to read this! 😀

 

[luplodw]

I'd say it is animal experience unless you were supervised by a veterinarian, in which case i'd say veterinary

 

[zeebra44]

I classified my undergraduate research/lab experience under veterinary because it was supervised by a professional. According to VMCAS, experience under a health professional (and related to animals) counts as veterinary experience. A PI or a professor in charge of a lab meets that criteria.

 

[bonaparte]

Thanks, both of you, for such a rapid response!

It's good to hear that it could be considered veterinary experience even if not supervised by a veterinarian-- I was just about to say that it seemed odd that the same research experience would be classified differently based solely on the supervisor.

 

[twelvetigers]

I would list it as veterinary, personally, but the best bet is always, always, always... ask the schools you're applying to. 🙂

 

[bonaparte]

I would list it as veterinary, personally, but the best bet is always, always, always... ask the schools you're applying to. 🙂

Absolutely, just thought I'd get a general idea here. 😉

 

[sumstorm]

Assuming the PI is a DVM, MD, or PhD, I would list it as veterinary. That is how VMCAS would classify it. Some schools may not, but they will reclassify it if need be.

 

[bonaparte]

Clearly I'm terrible at navigating through the VMCAS website, but I was wondering... where can I find the information on how VMCAS classifies experiences? Or is this info part of the instructions not made available until VMCAS opens for Fall 2011 applicants?

Thanks again, everyone.

 

[sumstorm]

Or is this info part of the instructions not made available until VMCAS opens for Fall 2011 applicants?

Thanks again, everyone.

I think you nailed it on the head! I don't remember seeing the details till I started my actual app.

 

[lei325]

I think you nailed it on the head! I don't remember seeing the details till I started my actual app.

Same. They have a little chart on the application that helps you figure out whether it should be classified as veterinary or animal experience. But yes, the best way to figure out what it will be considered is by contacting the schools, or using the discussion board VMCAS sets up for applicants (but this doesn't start until after the app opens).

 

[rileyroo]

You'll have instructions in each section as you fill in the vmcas, but this past year it was stated that if your research is with a DVM, MD, or PhD it's classified as veterinary. My research experience was put under veterinary.

 

[bonaparte]

Thanks for the info -- I guess I'm just chomping at the bit. 😉