should i work with a MBA professor on research project?

[JaYwOo55]

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i was recently offered a position to do undergraduate research with a professor in the business school at berkeley. the project has to do with stock market analysis... in other words, nothing related to science.......

would this extracurricular bolster my medschool application in any way? if i do this research, i can for sure get a letter of rec from the prof... but will medschools take it seriously considering this was a business school research project?

 

[Shredder]

i was recently offered a position to do undergraduate research with a professor in the business school at berkeley. the project has to do with stock market analysis... in other words, nothing related to science.......

would this extracurricular bolster my medschool application in any way? if i do this research, i can for sure get a letter of rec from the prof... but will medschools take it seriously considering this was a business school research project?

i think it would a fabulous experience, but i think it would in fact hurt your app. apps are silly like that. ppl might get the impression you want to be financially successful in life, you know. consider checking the md/mba forum

one thing is that you wont be doing such research in med school, its not what brings the schools money or glory. they prolly want to see students with a record of sciency research who will likely continue it forever. it would be very hard to spin stock market analysis in a way that relates to medicine at all. but it does sound interesting. if youre concerned about app strengthening, youre definitely better off looking elsewhere.

 

[NehsNairb]

i'd have to agree with shredder, a friend of a friend who is a third year now interned at goldman sachs for a summer during his undergrad. he said that alot of interviewers asked him why he wanted to do medicine if he had a strong interest in business also. but since you got the offer, might as well do it. it sounds like a good opportunity.

 

[Sanctuary]

I think you are missing the underlying question here: Do YOU want to do stock market analysis research? Personally, if give the opportunity, I would not. But that is because I have zero interest in that type of research. Contrary to some peoples' belief, medical schools are not dumb. They have an odd sense of figuring out if you are doing something because you think "they will think it is cool on my application", or if you are doing it because it truly interests you.

For starters, I'd figure out what it is that interests you about research, if anything at all, and then pursue that. Wasting your time on stock market research just to simply add a line or two to your application is a big waste of time. That is just my view. 🙂

 

[LizzyM]

If I were reading your application I would rate this along with taking a dance class, performing in the band or writing for the college paper: that is to say, something you did because it interested you. It demonstrates an interest outside of medicine/science. Everyone has hobbies and interests and it is good to have one or two to put on your list of ECs.

However, this will not substitute for basic or clinical research, nor will it substitute for volunteer or paid employement of a clinical nature (EMT, ER, hospice, children's hospital, etc) or non-clinical work with underserved populations (soup kitchen, homeless shelter, tutoring, etc).

 

[Shredder]

OP if you even smell like money when you walk in, youre in trouble. ridiculous but what can you do. be careful about it. im a cynic, but somebody has to be the cynic.

app reads: "stock market research"
app reader reads: "oh, so this guys looking for supplementary income and a way to shift away from 100% utter devotion to patients, tsk"

OP are you planning on going top 20? mid tier you can get away with it. top 20 you must sell your soul to medicine.

 

[LizzyM]

Docs are notorious for being bad with investments. You might actually garner the admiration of an adcom member or two if you show evidence of trying to educate yourself.

 

[burton117]

Go for it dude!!

 

[DrKitty]

I think you should go for it if it interests you. This will demonstrate to the adcoms that you are an open-minded, well-rounded person who has various interests, and it will also make you stand out/unique. Of course, this experience will not substitute the lack of biomed research, clinical work and volunteering. I think your application will be super strong if you show your committment to medicine in addition to having done research in business field.

 

[Shredder]

maybe im being overly pessimistic, but honestly you should consider if it will arouse subconscious negativity within the adcom. no matter what websites and premed guides say, you have to read between lines and consider human psychology. do you want to enter apps and interviews on the defensive or on the offensive?

this issue is near and dear to me, because i faced the same questions when i decided, whether wisely or unwisely im still not sure, to express interest in md/mba in my current app cycle. on one hand it sets you apart and makes you unique. on the other hand (the fav phrase of economists like myself) it requires all sorts of justifications and explanations. like many things, its a tradeoff. i think in the end youre better off doing the usual science work and putting out a paper if you can. it will certainly serve you better in apps.

 

[mshheaddoc]

If I were reading your application I would rate this along with taking a dance class, performing in the band or writing for the college paper: that is to say, something you did because it interested you. It demonstrates an interest outside of medicine/science. Everyone has hobbies and interests and it is good to have one or two to put on your list of ECs.

However, this will not substitute for basic or clinical research, nor will it substitute for volunteer or paid employement of a clinical nature (EMT, ER, hospice, children's hospital, etc) or non-clinical work with underserved populations (soup kitchen, homeless shelter, tutoring, etc).

Well said.

If its something you are interested in go for it.

I also agree that doctors are notorious with investments. As a business major/MBA graduate (almost) and pre-med I can say I take care of the finances in the household 😉 Its great to have an understanding b/c especially investments are hard to understand and interpret sometimes. I'd get the experience while you have the chance. It would be invaluable personally.

 

[rehanyazdani]

I think you should do it. I am a business/CIS major. Medicine has become a business and med schools have realized this, so they offer the MD/MBA program. Every doctor I've talked to so far has said that it is was a good idea to major in business. This would definitely give you experience and help you out in the long run. Go for it!

 

[kdburton]

I think you should do it. I am a business/CIS major. Medicine has become a business and med schools have realized this, so they offer the MD/MBA program. Every doctor I've talked to so far has said that it is was a good idea to major in business. This would definitely give you experience and help you out in the long run. Go for it!

I'm a finance major and when I've mentioned it to some doctors after they asked what I study they all thought that it was a good thing that I wasn't doing the same old... Of course they arent on adcomms. Doing stock market research might also be a great way to show that you can be a critical thinker as well, so I think that you could always put a positive spin on it during an interview. Even if an interviewer does question your motives for certain items on your application, its all about how you address those situations when they come up. I say go for it, especially if it is something that interests you.