I'm a freshman finishing my first year of undergrad, and I'm in the honors program at my school. As one of the requirements for the program, I have to complete a senior honors thesis by doing independent research related to my major (biochemistry). However, I'm not too interested in doing my own independent research project; I'd rather assist with clinical research projects with a research team. Would completing an honors thesis in my major really make me stand out more to med schools and in interviews? Or will it be okay if I pursue other research opportunities in my area? I'm actually interested in doing research, just not my own independent project.
Senior Honors Thesis
- Thread starter nico31
- Start date
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2012
- Messages
- 321
- Reaction score
- 156
I think this would depend on your school, ultimately. For sci majors at mine, there was the option of a senior thesis but also alternative internships and capstone projects that we could pursue. So I'd suggest asking your college major advisor or honors advisor if there are alternatives to the thesis to see what's out there. If not, though, it's probably something you'd have to do as part of the program.
That said, you have time to find opportunities, and you might even find that being involved in research may open you up to curiosity about it that may lead to a potential project. But definitely, if you're interested in research, find a place to get involved first...and with helpful mentorship!
In terms of research importance, med schools generally want to see what you got out of a research experience and how it shaped you. Thesis or not, you have to be able to express what you did and what you learned.
That said, you have time to find opportunities, and you might even find that being involved in research may open you up to curiosity about it that may lead to a potential project. But definitely, if you're interested in research, find a place to get involved first...and with helpful mentorship!
In terms of research importance, med schools generally want to see what you got out of a research experience and how it shaped you. Thesis or not, you have to be able to express what you did and what you learned.
Would you say there's any sort of advantage in medical school admissions with having a thesis or not?
- Joined
- May 15, 2011
- Messages
- 9,906
- Reaction score
- 10,039
no.
the research experience is what's important. if you're getting a lot out of the clinical research gig, then keep on with that.
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2016
- Messages
- 328
- Reaction score
- 110
Whether or not you decide to do an honors thesis won't have a significant impact on your chances of getting into medical school. In my opinion, it's more important to do research on a topic you like and work in a research lab that provides a great environment to learn in. Even though you may not want to do your own independent research project now, you may end up finding an interesting project idea to propose later down the line.
Also, if you do research on a topic you like, you're more likely to demonstrate that interest during an interview as opposed to completing an honors thesis research project in Biochemistry and not liking it.
Also, if you do research on a topic you like, you're more likely to demonstrate that interest during an interview as opposed to completing an honors thesis research project in Biochemistry and not liking it.
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2006
- Messages
- 35,570
- Reaction score
- 15,499
Even if you're planning to wait to apply until after your senior year when the thesis is complete, the answer is still, "No."
- Joined
- Oct 20, 2015
- Messages
- 2,503
- Reaction score
- 5,782
Thesis Shmesis -
Just hit up the research you like, OP! More likely to get publications from projects that are not independent anyway. Science doesn't happen independently!
And, who knows, you might actually learn a thing or two! 😉
Just hit up the research you like, OP! More likely to get publications from projects that are not independent anyway. Science doesn't happen independently!
And, who knows, you might actually learn a thing or two! 😉
