Summer Research Program--Too Late To Put on App?

[kikiu]

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[kikiu]

Anybody?

I'm sorry if this sounds stupid. I am just a bit confused here & could really appreciate the advice 🙂

 

[CoolWhipp]

It's been 20 minutes, SDN isn't a livechat program.

 

[kikiu]

i love how friendly people are here.

 

[CoolWhipp]

One single summer research program is not good enough for research orientated schools. You want to have at least a year or a year and half. Any solid work of research is always better than the quantity of research, which shows by having presentation(s) or publication(s). I'd say go for 2 years of research if you are trying to get into research orientated schools. Remember that there are always a select few who get into medical school with NO RESEARCH EXPERIENCE but you would imagine that their apps basically walk on water. You may be able to update your application, Stanford didn't let some of my friends update their app. You are going to have to look into this.

 

[tallandshort]

Hey,

I'm trying to figure out when I should pursue research.

Question 1- Would a summer program be "enough research" for research-oriented schools?

Question 2- If I apply in the summer after my junior year and also do a summer research program then, would I be able to still put that on my med school application if I send it in as early as possible?

Thanks!!

Hello kikiu,

I would say that for research-heavy medical schools I would advise more than a summer of research experience. I've known several pre-meds who have been accepted without any research, but they got accepted to schools that while good schools, were not research-heavy (and they were average applicants so you don't have to "walk on water"). So I guess it depends on what type of school you're looking to attend. I personally have a LOT of research experience, and I would recommend it to pre-meds that are interested. However, only do it if you're truly interested. I know first-hand how annoying pre-meds can be if they just get involved with research to check it off their list of things to do: all they care about is getting published and they get pissed if they haven't been after 3 months. Do the PI a favor, and please don't be that pre-med 😀

Yes, you can and definitely should add it to your application. Even if you just started it, it will add to your app so I would advise including it. You'll just have to do your homework quickly on the project you will be working on so you can explain it well on your application. I wish you the best of luck and feel free to PM me if you have any more research-related questions. Take care!

 

[CoolWhipp]

...I've known several pre-meds who have been accepted without any research, but they got accepted to schools that while good schools, were not research-heavy (and they were average applicants so you don't have to "walk on water")....

Hypothetically speaking, what incentive is there for me as an adcom for a research orientated school to admit a student with no research experience? Remember, we are talking about research orientated schools specifically. Because that's what the OP was talking about.