Rsearch experience on my application

[mgo1230]

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During my sophomore year, I volunteered in a lab that did biomedical research. However, I was only there for about 3 months and I was wondering if I should still include this in my application? It was mostly benchwork.

 

[thatwouldbeanarchy]

Generally, sustained research experience is preferable... How many hours did you do?

 

[Nerdeka]

Some people I know only did summer research, so if it was full time put that baby on there.

 

[mgo1230]

Thanks for the replies.

It wasn't doing it full time because I was working and volunteering. I dedicated about 5 hours a week to lab work.

 

[Dandine]

It's worth putting it on if you had learned something you can comment on in your app/interviews, especially if this was your first research experience.

Although it may depend on what your other extracurriculars were--specifically for AMCAS if you think there are >=15 activites that you that are better--if it were me I'd find space to include it.

 

[Pagan FutureDoc]

5hrs/wk over 3 months? 60 hours-ish...

More substantial sustained research would be better but if this is all you've got, include it. I just hope you can speak well about the research itself.

 

[mgo1230]

I definitely learned from my experience in the lab. But how would I go about getting a letter from the PI? I only met with him once because he was always out of town giving presentations. I worked under a grad student the whole time.

 

[Dandine]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/letter-of-recommendation-from-research.1066342/

So I read up on this thread and it seems that you could get a LoR from the grad student monitoring your progress with a PI co-sign (if that is something that works for you).

I wasn't familiar with this kind of LoR but apparently it's been done; anyone want to comment?

 

[Catalystik]

During my sophomore year, I volunteered in a lab that did biomedical research. However, I was only there for about 3 months and I was wondering if I should still include this in my application? It was mostly benchwork.

I think you'd be fine to include it.

An LOR from a 60-hours-over-3-month research experience is unlikely to add much to your candidacy, but if you choose to proceed, the strategy outlined is acceptable . . . if the PI will sign off on such a short-term experience.