Research philosophy and math

[Wiesal]

How is research and publications in either the fields of philosophy or math perceived by ADCOMs? I may want to take time off STEM research to pursue research in either philosophy or math. I'd like to do so because I genuinely enjoy these subjects. Will this hurt me?

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[StilgarMD]

No. It won't. the goal of adcoms is to figure out if you want to be a physician scientist, and have a reasonable shot of succeeding. They'd likely see your broad academic interests as a strength rather than a weakness, assuming you've done enough STEM research to convince them that you know what the PhD will be like. Where that line is drawn is tricky, but I think Neuronix guidelines remain reasonable.

 

[s_med]

*I may want to take time off STEM research to pursue research in either philosophy or math

Agreed with Stilgar above, although I would be careful not to make this* statement a focal point (or perhaps not at all) in essays/interviews. Time-to-graduation is an important metric for programs - and more importantly, their benefactors. I'd suggest sharing your previous involvement with non-STEM research, but, separately, make it clear that you understand the demands of an MD/PhD program (particularly the time constraints on the PhD). You are more likely to actualize the potential of doing the research you are interested in once you have matriculated into a program.

 

[JETER]

I may want to take time off STEM research to pursue research in either philosophy or math.

I might just be a simple knuckledragger, but doesn't the "M" in "STEM" stand for math?

Anyways, no, A broad interest is always a good thing, assuming that it results in some scoreboard items (papers, abstracts, etc)

 

[Wiesal]

I might just be a simple knuckledragger, but doesn't the "M" in "STEM" stand for math?

Anyways, no, A broad interest is always a good thing, assuming that it results in some scoreboard items (papers, abstracts, etc)

yes it does i don't know why i worded it that way