research?

[me.]

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how much research needed as premeds for med school? how much did you do?

 

[constructor]

no research is needed.

 

[Mr. Seeds]

no research is needed.

But its fun as bloody hell and a lot cooler than most volunteering positions that could be adequately performed by a semi-******ed monkey. 😀

 

[SaltySqueegee]

But its fun as bloody hell and a lot cooler than most volunteering positions that could be adequately performed by a semi-******ed monkey. 😀

👍 Yep...

Give research a try for a small amount of time to see if you are interested. If it doesn't float your boat, don't waste your time doing it. Also, keep in mind that graduate level research is much more interesting and engaging than undergraduate level research (personal observation).

 

[YzIa]

But its fun as bloody hell and a lot cooler than most volunteering positions that could be adequately performed by a semi-******ed monkey. 😀

Strangely, I havn't seen any mentally challenged monkeys wandering around local hospitals, salvation armies, etc., but I agree whole heartedly. While I recognize the benefits of these positions, I feel like my brain rots each time I volunteer.

edit: I find that research provides great "mental accomplishment" in bursts. When problem solving, deciding the next step, and interpretting data, it can be a truly unique and satisfying experience. As a physician many of the skills used in research need to be highly developed and are constantly put to use.

 

[Jeffy]

Personally, I hated doing research and felt like it was for anti-social gunners that kiss up to professors. So in order to rip the research band-aid off really fast, I applied for an REU program for a summer. It gave me the opportunity to work on a project that I was really interested in and at a different school. Most importantly though, it was only for 10 weeks during a summer.

Great way to gain experience, demonstrate that you gave it a shot, and then get the hell out. Even I can agree that a little research is a good experience to have but if you don't like it don't commit yourself to three years of work with some dick professor on a project that doesn't interest you.

 

[Haybrant]

First author nature paper recommended; they'll settle for a Science level, but your chances drop dramatically..

 

[Jason110]

First author nature paper recommended; they'll settle for a Science level, but your chances drop dramatically..

They won't even consider you if you only made first author in the Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience. A paper in Science or Nature is a given (preferably both).



Jason

 

[Jeffy]

Agreed, boys. Whatever you do, don't publish in a Chiropractic journal (do they even have those? Hope not.).

 

[Haybrant]

Agreed, boys. Whatever you do, don't publish in a Chiropractic journal (do they even have those? Hope not.).

the number of journals out there is staggering and i bet you can find a chiropractic journal, maybe 2. Until i started research and publishing i totally didnt realize the amount of crap out there; its nuts....

 

[Jeffy]

Until i started research and publishing i totally didnt realize the amount of crap out there; its nuts....

People will do anything to validate their inconsequential or otherwise meaningless work. 🙄

 

[Haybrant]

for the op:


seriously tho, you dont need too much; just do what you are interested in. But there is a reason that top med schools are interested in researchers: they are generally a whole hell of a lot smarter than those pre-meds that arent involved in some sort of mind-stimulating activity. And if you dont fall into that trap of being antisocial and stay well rounded you'll be golden; but you really have to have an interest in the basic sciences. Lets face it, med school is pretty easy and pretty much any monkey can memorize facts (granted you have to spend the time, but isnt $25,000+ any incentive?), and any semi-sane human can take a patient history. The true brains lie in research and the better brains do both. You'll get the impression from this board that med school is the pantheon of the academic world; ask any md at an academic institution and they'll tell you it isnt. So do research to see if you like it, and if you do stick with it

 

[superdevil]

Personally, I hated doing research and felt like it was for anti-social gunners that kiss up to professors. So in order to rip the research band-aid off really fast, I applied for an REU program for a summer. It gave me the opportunity to work on a project that I was really interested in and at a different school. Most importantly though, it was only for 10 weeks during a summer.

Great way to gain experience, demonstrate that you gave it a shot, and then get the hell out. Even I can agree that a little research is a good experience to have but if you don't like it don't commit yourself to three years of work with some dick professor on a project that doesn't interest you.

although i love research and have been doing for 2 years, this is a great idea for most people. great sig, too, btw 👍

you don't need any research, but if you're planning on applying to big-name private schools or anything in the USNews top 25, its a huge disadvantage to not have any significant research experience.

 

[Jeffy]

Oh yeah, good point guys. If you wanna be a ho-hum doc like myself, research isn't going to be terribly important. But let's face it, a little bit of anything that you can add extra to an app can potentially help.

However, if you're going for big name schools, chances are that research is going to be very important simply because the vast majority who are competing with you for spots will have done research. Many will even have very impressive research backgrounds (multiple publications, etc.). So, it almost becomes a de facto requirement. Everyone that I know that went to a top school had at least some sort of research.

Hope that helps.

 

[uclabruin2003]

dont do research. its makes you look stupid. ha =) save the extra med school slots for me!

 

[BGGA]

Again you don't need a research experience to get into medicine but if you find that you have the slightest bit of interest in it you should investigate future. The 10 week summer program is a great way to do this. It is not too much of a time committment, there are many out there that pay you, and it is a great recommendation letter. I've been doing research since my sophomore year in college and have continued post graduation. I have found that a considerable amount of interview discussions have been related to the research that I've done. As long as you can tie your experiences to your desire to become a physician you are golden. 👍

 

[benelswick]

for the op:


seriously tho, you dont need too much; just do what you are interested in. But there is a reason that top med schools are interested in researchers: they are generally a whole hell of a lot smarter than those pre-meds that arent involved in some sort of mind-stimulating activity. And if you dont fall into that trap of being antisocial and stay well rounded you'll be golden; but you really have to have an interest in the basic sciences. Lets face it, med school is pretty easy and pretty much any monkey can memorize facts (granted you have to spend the time, but isnt $25,000+ any incentive?), and any semi-sane human can take a patient history. The true brains lie in research and the better brains do both. You'll get the impression from this board that med school is the pantheon of the academic world; ask any md at an academic institution and they'll tell you it isnt. So do research to see if you like it, and if you do stick with it

The reason why the academic world likes research and publishing is because it tied to money and prestige. Not just anybody can take a good history or more importantly care enough about what they're doing not to consider taking care of people mundane or mindnumbing. Who gives a **** about the pantheon of academia. While millions of people go without basic healthcare the "real brains" are sitting in ivory towers splitting hairs over minutia devising technology that very few can afford. I think there must be alot of good stuff being done but to each his/her own, I'll read about it and decide what exactly will help the 30 or so patients I'll likely see in a day. But think again if its brains alone that will get you through the trenches of the healthcare delivery systems.--Ben.