The Research Question Again.

[elGonzoo]

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I know this has been asked a few times (as I see from scouring this site), but I figured I'd start a recent thread.

So, how important is research? I am a non-trad starting a post-bacc, but the one thing I'll be missing once I apply next year is research. Let's say I want to go to a decently ranked school like Pitt or Case Western. I feel like I am competitive with the GPA's and volunteering. But they have research/ lab experience in about 95% of applicants, according to the MSAR.

What exactly does this number mean. Does this include one summer of research before applying, or something mroe expansive? Do research-heavy schools just want one summer of small-time research or lab experience, or something bigger, like publications?

Thanks to anyone who chimes in.

 

[Goro]

Non-trads get cut some slack because they have lives to live. >90% of matriculated MD students have some research. It's less important for DO applicants.

Based upon posts from SDNers, research hours tend to be in the 100s to 1000s of hours. If you've spent the entire summer on a project, that's fine.

I know this has been asked a few times (as I see from scouring this site), but I figured I'd start a recent thread.

So, how important is research? I am a non-trad starting a post-bacc, but the one thing I'll be missing once I apply next year is research. Let's say I want to go to a decently ranked school like Pitt or Case Western. I feel like I am competitive with the GPA's and volunteering. But they have research/ lab experience in about 95% of applicants, according to the MSAR.

What exactly does this number mean. Does this include one summer of research before applying, or something mroe expansive? Do research-heavy schools just want one summer of small-time research or lab experience, or something bigger, like publications?

Thanks to anyone who chimes in.

 

[elGonzoo]

I will expand my learned colleague's comments. In a recent AAMC survey where 127 medical admissions offices respondent, found research experience is only of medium importance as an experiential factor in offering both interview invitations and acceptance at private schools and of low importance to public schools.
In ranked order healthcare experience, community service/volunteer experience, experience with underserved populations, navigated through cultural barriers or challenges, leadership experience were considered of higher importance in factors for interview invites and offers of acceptances

THanks both of you for the quick response!

I've heard that a school like Pitt will look down upon you if you don't have something published. Is this some SDN myth or the truth? They are a semi-private university, so not sure where they fit in - but I know they are huge into research.

Do you know if having an analytical job not in medicine is also an adavantage and can mitigate some of the fact that you don't have research experience?

 

[Goro]

It's hard enough for grad students and post docs to get papers; you think UG students have it easier??? You heard wrong.

THanks both of you for the quick response!

I've heard that a school like Pitt will look down upon you if you don't have something published. Is this some SDN myth or the truth? They are a semi-private university, so not sure where they fit in - but I know they are huge into research.

Do you know if having an analytical job not in medicine is also an adavantage and can mitigate some of the fact that you don't have research experience?

 

[elGonzoo]

It's hard enough for grad students and post docs to get papers; you think UG students have it easier??? You heard wrong.

Soo you're saying I'm completely uninformed about this topic?? Sounds about right.

I just wish the MSAR had more detail about their stats. What does the 95% mean? I wonder if I called a school like Pitt, if they would give me an answer to what they are looking for in regards to research, or if you're competitive in other areas, they will let that slidde.

 

[Goro]

What???? It means that 95% of their matriculants have engaged in some form of research. And research doesn't have to be bench research study oncogenes or interventions in type II diabetes, it can be anything that gives you an understanding of the scientific process, even if it means studying new species of shrimp from Tahiti.

To quote the wise DrMidwife: "you've preferably had some exposure to research so you can be convinced that [Andrew] Wakefield used malicious dirtbag methods and is not the savior of the world's children."


I just wish the MSAR had more detail about their stats. What does the 95% mean?


It can't hurt to talk to the Admissions dean. But I suspect s/he'll tell you exactly what I did.
I wonder if I called a school like Pitt, if they would give me an answer to what they are looking for in regards to research,

Non-trads get cut some slack. My read on the research powerhouses (like Pitt) is that they LIKE research in your background.

or if you're competitive in other areas, they will let that slide.[/QUOTE]