Research?

[Sheri911]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I have been told that undergrad research is the key to acceptance...I was wondering if anyone knows how to get involved particular types of research? I actually have a proff who is doing some NIH research that I find very interesting, but I don't think he's using students to help out....can any of you guys point me in the right direction on this? Thanks! 😕

 

[Popoy]

I don't think that research is the key factor in an acceptance.... It may help but it's not the only factor.

I hate to say this sometime but GPA and MCAT's are more important....

Ask your university resources if there's a place or someone you can talk to to help you get a research setup with a prof....

Good luck

 

[Sm00th13]

Hey Sheri911,

Undergrad research isn't necessary to acceptance but it couldn't hurt. But if MD/Ph.D is what you want to do in Medical School, then doing undergrad research becomes a importance (there are cases where there are MD/Ph.D students in medical school that applied with no research exp.). If you still want to do research, then proceed on with the message.
First of all, know the type of research or interest that you would like to take up. Majority of research done in colleges and universities are usually funded by NIH or the gov't. Also know how much time you can devote to research, you don't want to have a midterm in a middle of a time-course experiment. Then go into the your college or university's website to find details and information on the professor that you want to do research in. It wouldn't hurt to read some of the professor's own publication. Try to understand the results and the questions that were being answer (e.g. Does so and so protein become degraded in the presence of protease?) in the publication. Also by reading and understanding his/her work would show that you are up to date in the professor's work and would make you look good in the process when you set up a meeting to talk about working in his/her lab. YOu said that you didn't know whether the professor was using any students, well first of all, ASK THE PROFESSOR. The worse the professor could say is, "At this point, I have all the help I could need, check back in 6 months. If the professor agree to letting you work in the lab, then depending on your experience, you'll assign to either washing glassware duty (only a temporary phase till you get your feet wet in a lab) or working with a grad. student on the research project or working a assign project by the P.I. (you professor). Let me know if you get in, then I could give a few more tips in surviving lab afterwards. 😎 😎 😎

 

[MacGyver]

Regarding the comments made by the poster above:

Yes, there are a very few people in MD/PhD programs with no prior research experience but they are literally one in a hundred. The VAST majority (i.e. 95+%) have significant research experience.

When I say significant, I mean 2+ years working in a lab or research thesis, etc. Many people have 3+ years of research behind their belt, but 2 years is probably a good average.

If you are just trying to get into MD programs, then research helps but is not a key to admissions.

however, for MD/PhD you might as well consider research a requirement. And I wouldnt apply unless you have SIGNIFICANT research experience INCLUDING original, creative work done on your own that you can talk about.

You'll have a tough time getting admitted to MD/PhD if all you did your 3 years in the research lab was do the small procedural stuff under your PI or grad student with no experiments or research proposals originating from you.

 

[Sm00th13]

Regarding the post above,

First of all, the OP asked about undergrad. research in general, (whether in regards to the MD or MD/Ph.D., it was never stated). I stated that there were some (NOT VASTLY) that went on to MD/Ph.D without research, in fact I know 5 students that I have taught the past 2 years that were accepted to MD/Ph.D. Even though they wanted to work in labs as the VAST majority of MD/Ph.D applicant do, they could not do so due to working full-time, taking care of their children, or ailing parents. But they showed strong interest in my lab classes by demonstating (e.g. posing question excellent questions, posing other experimental methods to get to the same result, taking part in experimental discussion with myself and professors). In their personal statement they stated why they wanted to do the MD/Ph.D program. I want to state that this does NOT AUTOMATICALLY get you into the MD/Ph.D, but showing intelligent and a VAST interest in research is something. Considering that Medical school want someone in the MD/Ph.D program that will FINISH the program through the END. I knew a couple of students that were extremely intelligent and dropped out of the MD/Ph.D program in favor of the MD in their 3rd year due to personal problems, lack of interest in research, and time. Medical school will not waste their time and accept any applicant who DOES NOT INTEND on finishing the Pd.D in the MD/Ph.D program. If you miscontrue the post then you need to read the post again. I never stated that, "RESEARCH IS NOT IMPORTANT WHEN YOUR APPLYING AS AN MD/Ph.D APPLIANT. Just like everything in life, there are exceptions.

 

[ckent]

Originally posted by Sheri911:
•I have been told that undergrad research is the key to acceptance...I was wondering if anyone knows how to get involved particular types of research? I actually have a proff who is doing some NIH research that I find very interesting, but I don't think he's using students to help out....can any of you guys point me in the right direction on this? Thanks! 😕•

Have you asked the professor whether or not he would be willing to take on a student? Just because there are no students currently working for him, doesn't mean that he would not be willing to train a student. Especially if you don't need to get paid, most professors won't say no to free labor, and you might get some good experience and a letter in return. If he doesn't want any students, you can always try e-mailing faculty on campus and asking if they would be willing to take on a student. Most college faculty have a research interests page with their e-mail address on it.

 

[impassivemd]

Research isn't the key to admittance. Rather, those who engage in and who follow through in research projects are generally very bright, and already have what it takes to get into medical school. This does not apply to all individuals who partake in research, but it is what I have observed.

 

[Sonya]

Undergraduate research isn't neccesary.

If you are headed more for academic medicine and/or Md phd, it's important. If you want a life of primary care, why do research?

But, if you want to do research. I approached a research position by
1. Reading about all the profesors in the departments research. (the department may have a book/webpage summarizing this)
2.Deciding which ones interested me.
3. E-mail all those who interested me.

The profs who had opening interviewed me, and i than i decided which i like the best.

What they'll probably be looking for is your interest in the project, ability to work on you own, and commitment. They want someone who will stick around for few years.

This (summer) is the time to contact them! They lost some students in the spring, and want people to fill the slots.

Definetly contact that prof you're interested in. If he doesn't take students, he'll tell you. It can't hurt to ask. But i would definetly contact more than one prof.

This is what you want to look for in profs:
How many public in what type of journals.
What do others in the lab think of the work there. Does he respect student opinion?
What is the size of the lab. How many people? This is usually just a reflection of the Prof style, but if it is a very small lab or just the prof, be careful. Perhaps the prof is unable to get people to stay, or something. In a very large lab ( more than about 15), It may be hard for you to get to know the profesor during your time their. You'll probably be just working with a post doc.

hope this helps.

Sonya

 

[Vader]

Originally posted by Sonya:
•Undergraduate research isn't neccesary.

If you are headed more for academic medicine and/or Md phd, it's important. If you want a life of primary care, why do research?
•

That's not entirely true. A research experience can enhance your application considerably, especially if it was a meaningful contribution to a long-term project. There are different types of research, such as clinical or basic science. Often, you will be able to get a letter of recommendation from the principal investigator, which can help demonstrate your potential to the admissions committees.

Even if you are interested in only primary care, research experience has benefits that provide you with more than simple fodder for your medical school application. It can help you learn to think through complex problems and make decisions, qualities you'll need as a physician (i.e. evidence-based medicine). Moreover, current Western medical practices are rooted in applications of basic science. You'll learn to read the literature, which can help make you more aware of pertinent biomedical issues in the future. It will help your patients if you keep yourself well-informed. Moreover, communication with colleagues is important. If you present at conferences or meetings or publish your work, it can be a great learning tool for conveying complex issues to others who may not be familiar with your area. Think of how you will one day be communicating with patients--the same skills overlap.

By the way, most basic scientists do not look favorably on students who only wish to do research as a means to an end of getting to med school. This completely flies in the face of the innate curiosity about the world that motivates scientists. It is unfortunate that many students today feel that research is simply a "requirement" and has lost its original meaning as an opportunity to learn the skills of exploration and discovery.

So I'd definitely recommend to anyone interested in medicine to pursue SOME kind of research project, whether it be basic science or clinically-oriented. Not having done research certainly won't preclude you from being admitted. But having done research will certainly strengthen your application, while teaching you fundamental principles and skills that you will use as a physician. Hope this helps. 🙂

 

[Sheri911]

Thanks to all of you who replied. Your insight has been very helpful. I do not plan on MD/PhD but at the same time I am interested in research so who knows....Thanks again to all of you!

Sheri 😛