This research thing is throwing me for a loop man

[fruitcake2511]

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How important really is research in the grand scheme of things? Is it mostly school dependent? Research is the one thing I have literally zero of. I do not even know where to begin to find such opportunities. When going through in my head the things needed for one's application, I've got nothing for the research section and felt I should probably fix that.

My shadowing, clinical/non-clinical volunteering, ECs, and leadership sections should be in pretty good shape. Always room for improvement and will be strengthening them along the way, they're just not the main worry atm. 3.5ish cGPA isn't great but do not think it has completely doomed me, science GPA should be higher. Have yet to take the MCAT. I know that exam a major deciding factor regarding what schools one can apply to and have a realistic shot at getting in. Preparation for that will begin in a few months, but I wanted to address the research issue. It has been bothering me.

Thanks for the help!

 

[lull]

The thing is, everyone does research and it’s becoming more of an expectation. I see it kind of as shadowing, you don’t need to go all out and have thousands upon thousands of hours with multiple posters and publications, but you gotta have something.

 

[Goro]

How important really is research in the grand scheme of things? Is it mostly school dependent? Research is the one thing I have literally zero of. I do not even know where to begin to find such opportunities. When going through in my head the things needed for one's application, I've got nothing for the research section and felt I should probably fix that.

My shadowing, clinical/non-clinical volunteering, ECs, and leadership sections should be in pretty good shape. Always room for improvement and will be strengthening them along the way, they're just not the main worry atm. 3.5ish cGPA isn't great but do not think it has completely doomed me, science GPA should be higher. Have yet to take the MCAT. I know that exam a major deciding factor regarding what schools one can apply to and have a realistic shot at getting in. Preparation for that will begin in a few months, but I wanted to address the research issue. It has been bothering me.

Thanks for the help!

You don't need research, but it's nice to at least understand the scientific process.

With a 3.5 cGPA, the research ****** are out of reach anyway.

 

[fruitcake2511]

In a 2013 AAMC survey* where 127 medical admissions offices responded, found research experience is only of medium importance at private schools and of low importance to public schools as an experiential factor in offering both interview invitations and acceptance. 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. This was further borne out in the 2015 AAMC Survey** where 130 medical school admissions found that both community service or volunteer in both medical and non-medical settings ranked higher in importance than physician shadowing

*https://www.aamc.org/download/434596/data/usingmcatdata2016.pdf#page=7
see page 3 (pdf p7) Table 1. Mean Importance Ratings of Academic, Experiential, and Demographic Application Data Used by Admissions Committees for Making Decisions about Which Applicants to Receive an Interview Invitation and Offer Acceptance (N=127)

** https://www.aamc.org/download/462316/data/mcatguide.pdf#page=21
See page 4 (pdf page 9) Table 1. Mean Importance Ratings of Academic, Experiential, Demographic, and Interview Data Used by Admissions Committees for Making Decisions about Which Applicants Receive Interview Invitations and Acceptance Offers (N=130)

Thanks so much for this!!

 

[EdgeTrimmer]

Is there are any data for top 20 research schools?

 

[Hyunmin24]

How important really is research in the grand scheme of things? Is it mostly school dependent? Research is the one thing I have literally zero of. I do not even know where to begin to find such opportunities. When going through in my head the things needed for one's application, I've got nothing for the research section and felt I should probably fix that.

I can't really advise on its importance but I can say that if you were looking for opportunities, I think most Universities have a UROP (Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program) or something similar.