Summer Research Question

[bwest406]

---

Members do not see this ad.

So I will be applying to med schools this summer and have limited research experience ( 1 semester, 4 hours a week, working on a project involving an arthritic strain of mice). I would love to be able to get some more experience, but I attend a small school and the only research opportunity available this summer is as follows:

eight weeks of reptile research, staying in field stations and/or camping in the Santa Monica Mountains, Santa Cruz Island, and around Eagle Lake in northern California. We will be capturing non-venomous snakes and lizards in the interests of investigating (1) differences in stress physiology between urban and wild populations, (2) population and individual-level responses to environmental change, and (3) the evolution of island dwarfism.

Does it sound like this type of research would even be beneficial to have on a med school application? or does research need to be more closely related to the field of medicine?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[kyamh]

This, and any research is good for medical schools. The point is to learn to think like a scientist and to appreciate the care and hard work...and failure...that research is all about. The point is also to learn to solve problems independently and not give up in the face of obstacles. That said, if you are applying this summer then it is a really bad idea to be camping out somewhere...unless I am misunderstanding the type of research you are talking about. You are going to have your plate full with secondary essays so you need to plan to dedicate hours each day to getting your essays polished over the summer months.

 

[bwest406]

Thanks for the response! So the research only lasts 8 weeks, and I would be home on the weekends. This would allow me to continue my clinical volunteering on saturday mornings, and then have the rest of the day and sunday as well to work on applications. Is that not enough time? Does it depend on how many schools I end up applying to?

 

[medmedman]

Thanks for the response! So the research only lasts 8 weeks, and I would be home on the weekends. This would allow me to continue my clinical volunteering on saturday mornings, and then have the rest of the day and sunday as well to work on applications. Is that not enough time? Does it depend on how many schools I end up applying to?

1) Yes that research is fine. Your research can even be in history and med schools would still like it
2) Yes that is enough time; if you want to get ahead of the game, view the essays for past year secondaries and start writing general essays for each