Research required for MD?

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

AB92

Full Member
2+ Year Member
Joined
Jul 10, 2019
Messages
125
Reaction score
93
Points
1,101
  1. Pre-Medical
First question- can you get into an MD school without research experience?

Second question- how have other non-trads found research experience AND fit it into their schedule. (I’m worried the only answer to this is quit my job and find a full time research position).

About me: typical non-trad, working full time as an engineer for the last 5 years. I have all the other EC’s on track (hospital volunteer, hospice volunteer, shadowing). My grades are pretty decent (3.5-3.6 range), and I’m doing a DIY post bacc (at a community college) with all A’s.
 
I'm an RN and was able to go PRN for the summer (one shift a week at the hospital) to do a summer medical research fellowship at UT Southwestern. Considering you're a non-trad and working full-time, I don't feel that it's completely necessary. Granted there are research heavy medical schools (Like UTSW), that might hold it against you, but otherwise you should be okay at most mid tier schools. My friend who was a traditional got in with a 506 MCAT, average EC's, GPA and no research. Just do well on the MCAT (which is something I can't say that I did). I applied 50/50 DO and MD, but am more than likely going DO and I am okay with that. 🙂
 
I'm an RN and was able to go PRN for the summer (one shift a week at the hospital) to do a summer medical research fellowship at UT Southwestern. Considering you're a non-trad and working full-time, I don't feel that it's completely necessary. Granted there are research heavy medical schools (Like UTSW), that might hold it against you, but otherwise you should be okay at most mid tier schools. My friend who was a traditional got in with a 506 MCAT, average EC's, GPA and no research. Just do well on the MCAT (which is something I can't say that I did). I applied 50/50 DO and MD, but am more than likely going DO and I am okay with that. 🙂
For MD, I'm shooting for my state schools, honestly. And at the end of the day, I'd be okay with DO as well. So maybe, I'd be better off focusing on my clinical and volunteer experiences (and the MCAT) and do those really well, instead of trying to spread myself too thin and stress about throwing research in as well.
 
First question- can you get into an MD school without research experience?
YES

Second question- how have other non-trads found research experience AND fit it into their schedule. (I’m worried the only answer to this is quit my job and find a full time research position).
They're good at time mgt.
 
Top Bottom