Research vs Scribing

[NamNam]

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Hello everyone,

I currently am deciding whether to do research next year or scribe. I do have previous lab experience: working in a lab(student hourly position), summer lab internship abroad, and a semester volunteering in a lab(cloning plasmids). However, I have not worked on an individual research project, but have to opportunity to do direct research for credit next year. I'm wondering what level of research is recommended for medical school. Is my current experience enough or is directed research more the norm. I'm also lacking clinical experience, so scribing is another option, but only if my current lab experiences are enough. Both would require 20+ hours, so doing both successfully would be very unlikely. Thanks!

 

[ed*26]

Since you're lacking in clinical exposure I'd go with the scribing. That's something that's valued (or required) at all medical schools and your previous research experience is fine. Just make sure you can speak clearly about your projects, their goals, etc.

 

[jtd2081]

I think you can do both. I have done both during my undergrad career. If you have to decide on one go with scribing.

 

[Espressso]

Hello everyone,

I currently am deciding whether to do research next year or scribe. I do have previous lab experience: working in a lab(student hourly position), summer lab internship abroad, and a semester volunteering in a lab(cloning plasmids). However, I have not worked on an individual research project, but have to opportunity to do direct research for credit next year. I'm wondering what level of research is recommended for medical school. Is my current experience enough or is directed research more the norm. I'm also lacking clinical experience, so scribing is another option, but only if my current lab experiences are enough. Both would require 20+ hours, so doing both successfully would be very unlikely. Thanks!

Scribing is an easy way to get paid for gaining clinical experience.

 

[bananafish94]

I've been scribing for about a month now, and I believe it's just about the best clinical experience you can get. Plus, you get paid! You have plenty of lab experience--go with the scribing.

 

[PreMedTex]

I would easily recommend scribing. I have been an ED scribe for about 8 months now and it has been seriously rewarding. It is basically a paid shadowing job and ive heard its a really great EC for your med school app. Most of the time the position will be part time so you will have time for research on the side as well. If you have the opportunity to scribe TAKE IT, just don't give up because scribing is pretty intense the first few weeks as there is a lot of training and knowledge cramming.

 

[Hospitalized]

Healthcare experience is valued more than research by adcoms

Ooh yeah... 😉 Thank you for saying that.

 

[NamNam]

Thanks everyone for the input! I will go with scribing.

 

[DocJuan]

Thanks everyone for the input! I will go with scribing.

Good choice! You already have the research experience and scribe companies often have flexible scheduling (granted you request off in advance) to accommodate student schedules. Plus you can diversify your letters of recommendation and talk about cool or influential cases that you saw while working alongside the physician. Granted some schools only accept research experience if you have a poster and others only if it's first author. You can still develop you research experience in the future.

 

[wuhsabee]

Good choice! You already have the research experience and scribe companies often have flexible scheduling (granted you request off in advance) to accommodate student schedules. Plus you can diversify your letters of recommendation and talk about cool or influential cases that you saw while working alongside the physician. Granted some schools only accept research experience if you have a poster and others only if it's first author. You can still develop you research experience in the future.

Where did you get that part from where they "only accept research experience if you have a poster or you are first author"? That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard.

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[DocJuan]

Where did you get that part from where they "only accept research experience if you have a poster or you are first author"? That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard.

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As "ridiculous" at it sounds I'm referring to a specific medical school. I heard it from someone accepted at Tulane so it's not like this information is coming from an ad com, but the point is I'm not saying they won't accept you if it's not first author, that'd be ridiculous. I'm saying you won't stand out among the other qualified applicants by doing more of it, even if you are published 3rd, 4th, w/e author. If you love research by all means keep doing it! But I don't think doing a lot more of it will add too much more to the application. Believe it or not, a LOT of people have basic research experience.

 

[DocJuan]

Where did you get that part from where they "only accept research experience if you have a poster or you are first author"? That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard.

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btw the poster bit did come directly from liaison to the NJMS admissions committee who asked about my research experience. When I'd described what I had done up until then, which was many years in a lab assistant and research assistant capacity, she asked me if I had any posters. She didn't really seem satiated until I told her about the current lab rotation I'm doing which is fairly involved.

 

[NamNam]

Thanks for the advice DocJuan, I should be able to get a publication by the end of the summer although it will likely be second author.