Starting research junior year...

[sunnyd1]

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Is starting research junior year ok? I took a research class this semester but it seems like next year (junior year) will be my first year performing research. I do have other EC's (clinical and non clinical volunteering, shadowing, tutoring, etc.)

 

[BABSstudent]

Is starting research junior year ok? I took a research class this semester but it seems like next year (junior year) will be my first year performing research. I do have other EC's (clinical and non clinical volunteering, shadowing, tutoring, etc.)

As long as your grades and MCAT score are fine, then you will be okay. Research is not necessary to get into medical school but some schools pretty much require it (i.e. close to 100% of their matriculants have it).

Starting in junior year is better than not starting at all. I start my research my senior year and things turned out fine for me.

 

[CognitiveSci]

It's fine. If you continue into the summer you're applying, you will have a solid year of research which is pretty good!

 

[survivordo]

Not ideal but doesn't sound like you can do anything to change it. As others have said, it is better than no research at all! Instead of focusing on things you can't change work on the parts of your application you can!

Survivor DO

 

[Meihua]

As others have said, it's fine. Even if you're dead-set on attending a research-heavy school, junior year + summer + commitment to continuing through senior year is sufficient, given that the other parts of your application are strong.

 

[M51]

I'm in the same boat. I am starting to do research next week, and I'll be applying for med school in Summer 2014. If possible, why not start in this upcoming summer to get a leg up a little earlier? I'm doing an REU this summer. 🙂

 

[Doctor Strange]

I only did research during the summer before my senior year. I had no problems at all.

 

[sunnyd1]

I only did research during the summer before my senior year. I had no problems at all.

Did you take a gap year? So far, I am not planning on taking a gap year.

 

[Doctor Strange]

Did you take a gap year? So far, I am not planning on taking a gap year.

No gap year. Research was going on while I was applying.