Research

[tonymarc]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Tried looking around the forum, but found nothing.

How do medical schools look at SURF programs? Do they have a preference? Also will doing a senior thesis effect your chances at all?

Thanks in advance ya'll!

 

[Lya]

SURF programs are common among pre-meds, so they are certainly positive but might not be as unique as, say, Peace Corps. I would think that they might have some preference towards their own SURF program at their institution rather than other locations, especially if your SURF mentor(s) wrote a letter of recommendation.

I am not sure about senior thesis, but publications probably improve your application more significantly than senior thesis.

 

[tonymarc]

So your SURF mentor writing you a LOR isn't a good idea?

I just thought minor + senior thesis would be looked at differently. If not then there isn't really a point in putting more work in. Just thought research heavy school would like it. I'd like to hear what goro and gyngyn have to say about this.

Tony

SURF programs are common among pre-meds, so they are certainly positive but might not be as unique as, say, Peace Corps. I would think that they might have some preference towards their own SURF program at their institution rather than other locations, especially if your SURF mentor(s) wrote a letter of recommendation.

I am not sure about senior thesis, but publications probably improve your application more significantly than senior thesis.

 

[Lya]

So your SURF mentor writing you a LOR isn't a good idea?

I just thought minor + senior thesis would be looked at differently. If not then there isn't really a point in putting more work in. Just thought research heavy school would like it. I'd like to hear what goro and gyngyn have to say about this.

Tony

It is a good idea if you felt that mentor knows you well and you made a good impression with great contributions. About the senior thesis, as I said above, I am not certain. (Since this is somewhat common among pre-meds, I would not be surprised if the senior thesis does not weigh as heavily as we think.)

@Goro @gyngyn

We would like to know your thoughts here.

 

[Oso]

Meaningful research will always help your app, be it a formal research program or senior thesis. Publications are extra nice.

Research probably won't make you super unique (unless you have some pretty sweet papers), but it will be appreciated by adcoms and will help when you're compared to applicants with minimal research. Definitely a good thing to have if applying to top 20's.

Find some research that you find interesting and can make a serious commitment to, and don't worry too much about the specific impact it will have on your app. Good luck.