Research

[korndoctor]

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A lot of premeds mention that they do research in their undergraduate years. What type of research do you usually do (i.e. does it have to be medically related or can it be in a physical science such as physics?) and how do you apply for them?

 

[Law2Doc]

A lot of premeds mention that they do research in their undergraduate years. What type of research do you usually do (i.e. does it have to be medically related or can it be in a physical science such as physics?) and how do you apply for them?

Research can be in any field, although the most common ones are medical research and basic science research. The former is easier to obtain if your school is affiliated with a medical school. You can usually get research jobs by speaking with science professors at your school or via academic pysicians. Teaching hospitals usually have research coordinators who may accept applications for research spots as well. Salaries vary (down to zero), and the chances of being on a publication depend on your ability to contribute usefully, and the beneficence of your PI.

 

[BerkeleyMD]

A lot of premeds mention that they do research in their undergraduate years. What type of research do you usually do (i.e. does it have to be medically related or can it be in a physical science such as physics?) and how do you apply for them?

Research should be medically or biologically related. The more clinical, the better. But any research (phys/chem..) is better than no research at all.

However, during undergrad (esp as a fresh/soph), most research = grunt work. You aren't really going to be developing projects until you really understand the concepts, which won't be until at least jr/snr year. Most of my hardcore "research" friends in undergrad washed petri dishes in a lab for free after class. It don't mean much, and it won't help you in a interview.

Since graduating my friends are actually functioning in benchtop research (PCR's, Western Blotting, running gels...). I chose the more clinical aspect of things, and am working on clincal research/clinical trials. Both are really different and depend on your interests.

But don't do something just because it looks or sounds good, it will just catch up with you later on... like when you discuss the research you did freshman year in an interview and can't really talk coherently about the signal transduction or protein receptors involved.

good luck!

 

[p00psicleSTICK]

I did basic science research... research focused on evolution. Best experience of my undergrad academic life. I highly recommend it. On top of research you get an excellent LOR from your research professor so it's a double whammy! 😀

 

[p00psicleSTICK]

Research should be medically or biologically related. The more clinical, the better. But any research (phys/chem..) is better than no research at all.

OK, I agreed with you on the MCAT prep course thread, but don't make baseless statements like that please. It hurts my fragile heart. 😉

 

[QuantumMechanic]

A lot of premeds mention that they do research in their undergraduate years. What type of research do you usually do (i.e. does it have to be medically related or can it be in a physical science such as physics?) and how do you apply for them?

I've done physics research, although it was quite medically related! It has been a good experience and I will probably get to be a second author on it some day. Research is always a plus, however, I would make sure to get some pure clinical experiences as well, unless you want to be asked "Why MD instead of PhD?" and then struggle to find a defendable answer!

 

[Law2Doc]

I've done physics research, although it was quite medically related! It has been a good experience and I will probably get to be a second author on it some day. Research is always a plus, however, I would make sure to get some pure clinical experiences as well, unless you want to be asked "Why MD instead of PhD?" and then struggle to find a defendable answer!

Clinical experience (and this doesn't include clinical research) is pretty much a prereq for all med school applicants. Schools want to know that you have a sense as to what you are getting yourself into. Research is less of a prereq (except for a handful of the more research intense schools) and is usually regarded as a plus.

 

[OrganLibrarian]

I would say, like others have, that any research is better than no research. At all of the interviews I've been to where someone has asked the candidates if we've done research, all or almost all of our hands went up. I personally did basic research in chemistry, and I think it's greatly increased my chances of getting in to med school - although I must say that my research was very much my own independent project.

SO, in conclusion, find a faculty member you like a lot, attempt to get a research project going that gives you at least some amount of independence, and GO FOR IT.

 

[newguy357]

I'm sure medically related research is best, but non-medical research beats no research. I had a couple years of physics research and zero medical research in undergrad and have been accepted. It's hard to say how much it helped.

 

[ND2005]

Most of my hardcore "research" friends in undergrad washed petri dishes in a lab for free after class. It don't mean much, and it won't help you in a interview.

Heh. When I was looking at some different psych labs to work as a research assistant in undergrad, one professor's list of URA duties actually included keeping his fridge stocked with Diet Coke.

I passed on that lab.

 

[Thundrstorm]

Research should be medically or biologically related. The more clinical, the better. But any research (phys/chem..) is better than no research at all.

Blanket statement #1. Research does not have to be biomedical and certainly not clinical in order to be beneficial in med school admissions. Getting involved in research as an undergrad allows you to develop a unique skillset, show dedication to a longterm project, experience interests outside of medicine, and learn to think critically and independently. You can do all of these things in the field of neurodegeneration or materials science or flat fish (all research I've done, ALL of which has come up in interviews).

However, during undergrad (esp as a fresh/soph), most research = grunt work. You aren't really going to be developing projects until you really understand the concepts, which won't be until at least jr/snr year. Most of my hardcore "research" friends in undergrad washed petri dishes in a lab for free after class. It don't mean much, and it won't help you in a interview.

Blanket statement #2. I started doing research in my sophomore year, and I never did grunt work. Didn't wash a single petri dish. Finding the right lab is key.

Since graduating my friends are actually functioning in benchtop research (PCR's, Western Blotting, running gels...). I chose the more clinical aspect of things, and am working on clincal research/clinical trials. Both are really different and depend on your interests.

Running gels is just as mindless as washing petri dishes if you aren't intellectually involved in the development of the project. The OP should look for a PI who 1. allows him/her to carry out these kinds of techniques, and 2. teaches him/her how to ask the right questions.

But don't do something just because it looks or sounds good, it will just catch up with you later on... like when you discuss the research you did freshman year in an interview and can't really talk coherently about the signal transduction or protein receptors involved.

Finally, something we agree on. 😉

OP: Do what you like, not what you think you should do. Research is very different from medicine, and you do not need to do it to get into med school. Research is awesome though, and you might find that you love it.

 

[thegymbum]

On a similar note. Anyone have any input on research in psychology..? Psych is one of my majors and the only area I've done research in so far.. and I'm worried that it won't really count for anything. Anyone have any opinion on that..? I'm also majoring in biochem so was going to maybe try to find some research related to that, although I'm teaching chem labs and working at a doctor's office this semester so I'm not exactly sure where I'd fit in extra research. 😕

 

[p00psicleSTICK]

Psychology research prolly won't be regarded as high as scientific/clinical research. But I think if you show dedication and get published or something I think that can be a huge plus because it'll make yourself look very unique. I'd personally be pretty intrigued to talk to someone who's done a lot of psych research. If you can somehow tie that to medicine I think it'd be great also.

 

[ND2005]

On a similar note. Anyone have any input on research in psychology..? Psych is one of my majors and the only area I've done research in so far.. and I'm worried that it won't really count for anything. Anyone have any opinion on that..? I'm also majoring in biochem so was going to maybe try to find some research related to that, although I'm teaching chem labs and working at a doctor's office this semester so I'm not exactly sure where I'd fit in extra research. 😕

I thought my psych research was a very good experience. I don't think it's in anyway inferior to "hard-science" research. I learned a lot about experimental design and procedure from my lab work (more than from my experimental methods course, interestingly), and thought the actual work was very interesting. If you're really interested in the subject, that will show up in your interviews, so I wouldn't worry too much.