Should I do more research if I am currently okay with where I am?

[kgamon8]

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My dad is a professor and always instilled in me the importance and satisfaction I would get from doing research. I worked in a lab on campus my freshman and sophomore years and did two summer research programs the past summers.
This year I decided to take a break for the sake of my mental health..As much as I love reading scientific papers, it's sometimes draining to have to read to be prepared for a lab meeting or a new experiment. I also didn't like messing up and facing my boss or postdoc. I have many good and valuable experiences from research and I have learned a lot, which further influenced my interest in medicine. But now, I work at my university's health center doing presentations on safe sex and flu hygiene and am a TA. My question is: does it look bad if I just stopped doing research? I know how important it is, and my GPA isn't like extremely high to counteract any lack of involvement.

 

[SpartanWolverine]

My dad is a professor in pharmaceutical sciences and always instilled in me the importance and satisfaction I would get from doing research. I worked in a lab on campus my freshman and sophomore years and did two summer research programs the past summers.
This year I decided to take a break for the sake of my mental health..As much as I love reading scientific papers, it's sometimes draining to have to read to be prepared for a lab meeting or a new experiment. I also didn't like messing up and facing my boss or postdoc. I have many good and valuable experiences from research and I have learned a lot, which further influenced my interest in medicine. But now, I work at my university's health center doing presentations on safe sex and flu hygiene and am a TA. My question is: does it look bad if I just stopped doing research? I know how important it is, and my GPA isn't like extremely high to counteract any lack of involvement.

No. If you've had good, productive experiences and learned how to think critically/analyze research, that's more than fine. Not everyone enjoys research.

Focus on preparing for medical school and on endeavors that you enjoy. The work at your health center sounds great. Being a TA is great. I would wager that these interesting, diverse experiences add much more than another couple semesters in research that you don't like.

 

[workaholic181]

My dad is a professor in pharmaceutical sciences and always instilled in me the importance and satisfaction I would get from doing research. I worked in a lab on campus my freshman and sophomore years and did two summer research programs the past summers.
This year I decided to take a break for the sake of my mental health..As much as I love reading scientific papers, it's sometimes draining to have to read to be prepared for a lab meeting or a new experiment. I also didn't like messing up and facing my boss or postdoc. I have many good and valuable experiences from research and I have learned a lot, which further influenced my interest in medicine. But now, I work at my university's health center doing presentations on safe sex and flu hygiene and am a TA. My question is: does it look bad if I just stopped doing research? I know how important it is, and my GPA isn't like extremely high to counteract any lack of involvement.

It sounds like you have more than checked off the research box already.. I understand your sentiment of wanting for to show commitment but you're augmenting your app with other experiences which frankly will help prep you for this career also. I think you're totally fine OP.

 

[Catalystik]

My dad is a professor in pharmaceutical sciences and always instilled in me the importance and satisfaction I would get from doing research. I worked in a lab on campus my freshman and sophomore years and did two summer research programs the past summers.
This year I decided to take a break for the sake of my mental health..As much as I love reading scientific papers, it's sometimes draining to have to read to be prepared for a lab meeting or a new experiment. I also didn't like messing up and facing my boss or postdoc. I have many good and valuable experiences from research and I have learned a lot, which further influenced my interest in medicine. But now, I work at my university's health center doing presentations on safe sex and flu hygiene and am a TA. My question is: does it look bad if I just stopped doing research? I know how important it is, and my GPA isn't like extremely high to counteract any lack of involvement.

You've already got well over the average amount of research listed by applicants. It's fine to move on and embrace additional experiences that will round out your med school application, besides beefing up your GPA via the extra study time you should have at your disposal.

 

[LizzyM]

In all likelihood, no one will ever ask why you stopped after 2 years (much longer than average, I will add). If anyone does ask, or if you feel the need to explain it in a personal statement, you can say that while you enjoyed x, y and z of research, you were more interested in helping people and you were glad to have the opportunity to be involved with a, b, c which gave you the opportunity to tutoring and peer health education.

 

[kgamon8]

You've already got well over the average amount of research listed by applicants. It's fine to move on and embrace additional experiences that will round out your med school application, besides beefing up your GPA via the extra study time you should have at your disposal.

thanks for the help🙂

 

[kgamon8]

In all likelihood, no one will ever ask why you stopped after 2 years (much longer than average, I will add). If anyone does ask, or if you feel the need to explain it in a personal statement, you can say that while you enjoyed x, y and z of research, you were more interested in helping people and you were glad to have the opportunity to be involved with a, b, c which gave you the opportunity to tutoring and peer health education.

thanks!