Should I Include These In My Application?

[EllieGirl89]

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Alright, so looking over the successful applicants threads, I'm seeing that one thing a lot of the people who have posted have is research experience. I do not. I'm also a little worried because of my relatively low vet experience hours (~500). I've got a few other things going for me, but I still can't help but be anxious.

So here's my question.

My freshman year of college, we had a semester-long "research" project involving Drosophila melanogaster (the common fruit fly). I would need to go back to my notebooks and such (luckily I was VERY diligent about saving things from that year), but I definitely have everything from that section of the class and could brush up on it enough to be able to speak intelligently about it. Now, the research wasn't anything that hadn't been done before, but it was good for introducing me to research techniques and the like.

Also, my sophomore year I was in a Cell Biology class that involved not necessarily research, but experiments that required utilization of techniques often used in research, including homogenization/fractionation of samples of rat livers and running tests on them to determine concentrations of certain things in the fractions.

I want to mention these things in my application, because even if it wasn't exactly "research," they definitely served as introductions to research techniques. Could I include the Drosophila "research" in my application under animal experience? Is there a way I could fit in the techniques used in the Cell Bio class?

Thanks for your help!

 

[ORvetgirl]

I'm not sure about the fruit flies, but I don't think there is really any way to talk about the techniques you learned in cell bio unless you discuss them in your ps. To be honest, every bio and biochem course I took in undergrad had labs that utilized common research techniques...it isn't really something that sets you apart, but rather something I think is assumed when you list those types of courses.

 

[heylodeb]

yeah, unfortunately, I'm thinking the same thing. I also did a semester long "research" on fruit flies. However, since it was included in the class syllabus, it doesn't really count....As said above me, it's assumed that you did these things if you took those courses.

I think adcoms might look at it as "grasping for straws". 🙁

Perhaps there is a way you could wrap it into your explanation statement some how? Can't think of a way to do it but there are some pretty darn creative people around this forum! 🙂

 

[DVMDream]

I also do not have research experience. I had a microbiology course where we swabbed areas outside (rocks, leaves, trees, dirt, etc) and then grew them in dishes. Isolated one bacteria. Grew that bacteria until it was pure. Performed various tests on them and then determined what bacteria we had down to the genius and species. It was a semester long project. We also did something in animal physiology lab where we had to create our own research project, come up with a way to measure stuff, then do our project, get results, write up a lab report and present our report to the class and other professors in the department.

I wish I could use these experiences on my application but I also believe it is assumed that you do something along those lines if you have been in a lab class. I think they understand that you have been introduced to research and basic laboratory techniques. So, unless you are really creative it might be hard to fit that into your application.

 

[twelvetigers]

I'm doing something like what DVMDream described in my Molecular Micro lab right now,and there's no way I would include it. It's a lab. Now, it's cute because we're doing the DNA isolation, PCR, and Western Blotting steps over the next few weeks... I did SO many PCR/ electrophoresis and Westerns back in the day (lol) and it's weird how it all comes rushing back even after four years or so. But, having 'been there, done that'... I can see that doing it once in lab with a lab group is NOT the same. Sad but true.

I bet I'd give my research for your grades anyday, Ellie. We all have things we feel the need to improve. Just make the most of the hours you do have. Your PS is really quite good. I think you'll be a competitive applicant without research. 🙂

 

[snapcall]

I have nothing to add to this thread, but wanted to say that TT's avatar is my absolute favorite.

 

[twelvetigers]

Why thankyou!

I have a random and mostly unrelated question...

Would anyone be willing to send me a sample of how they listed their experiences?

I have mine listed the same way as I have the previous times, but I'm increasingly worried that I'm making myself sound silly (or, at least, not listing to where I can get the most out of each entry).

Feel free to PM me if you want. Thanks much!

 

[EllieGirl89]

Thanks guys, and thanks for the vote of confidence, TT. I guess I will just keep it in my back pocket in case they ask me in the interview why I never did research. Then I can give them a (probably not good enough) reason, and explain that I'm not completely inept when it comes to research and research techniques because I did this and this in these classes.