Thoughts on Research During Undergrad.

[philios]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I thought Id post this after reading numerous threads regarding research during undergrad. I was talking with a friend recently about how research did not interest me because I am more drawn towards the patient-care aspect of medicine. Do Adcoms mind if most of my volunteer work is shadowing physicians, volunteering in the ER/Patient Care Floors/OR, and volunteering as an EMT? Ive considered doing research to help make myself look more diverse, but my other activities at school keep me very busy, and I would rather spend what little free time I do have working with actual patients. Thoughts?

 

[deleted128562]

I can understand where you're coming from - I wanted nothing to do with research because it didn't interest me per se, and I said the same thing you did about being interested in the patient interaction part of things. But, in the interest of being competitive I decided I should do it. So I talked with several professors and finally found one who was willing to let me work for him over the summer - (and really do research, not just clean beakers). And lo and behold, it turned out to be one of the best experiences I've ever had. I enjoyed it so much that I have continued on doing research and hope to do more during medical school and even beyond. Point being, you really don't know that you won't like it until you try it, so I'd suggest you give it a go. If you hate it, oh well, at least it's on your app. And who knows, you may be like me and be glad that you gave it a shot.

Could you do research over the summer while you're out of classes? (Or are you taking classes over the summer?)

 

[luv2sd]

I can understand where you're coming from - I wanted nothing to do with research because it didn't interest me per se, and I said the same thing you did about being interested in the patient interaction part of things. But, in the interest of being competitive I decided I should do it. So I talked with several professors and finally found one who was willing to let me work for him over the summer - (and really do research, not just clean beakers). And lo and behold, it turned out to be one of the best experiences I've ever had. I enjoyed it so much that I have continued on doing research and hope to do more during medical school and even beyond. Point being, you really don't know that you won't like it until you try it, so I'd suggest you give it a go. If you hate it, oh well, at least it's on your app. And who knows, you may be like me and be glad that you gave it a shot.

Could you do research over the summer while you're out of classes? (Or are you taking classes over the summer?)

so did you just randomly pick a science professor in the department and asked him/her to let you work for him/her conducting a research?

 

[whatintheworld?]

If you don't want to do research, you don't have to.... unless you want to go to a top, research-heavy school or apply MD/PhD.

I didn't do any research, and I was still accepted.

 

[deleted128562]

so did you just randomly pick a science professor in the department and asked him/her to let you work for him/her conducting a research?

Well no, not exactly randomly. An advisor gave me a list of professors that she thought might be possibilities. I approached each of them politely and explained that I was interested in doing summer research and asked if they might have any opportunities open. Some professors were going to be gone for the summer, and others didn't need or want the help. But after some effort, I found a prof. who had some work that I could do, and I gladly took the opportunity. And that developed into a longer-term opportunity which I have really enjoyed.

 

[skinnylindsay]

You could also ask professors you've had about working in their labs. Those were the first people I contacted. Even if they don't have space in their own lab, they can usually refer you to other labs who are looking for undergrads. It's a little more rare on my campus that someone emails random professors in the science departments, but it does happen and people do find spots that way too.

 

[philios]

If you don't want to do research, you don't have to.... unless you want to go to a top, research-heavy school or apply MD/PhD.

I didn't do any research, and I was still accepted.

so im guessing harvard would be one of those research-heavy schools huh...i really really want to go to school in Boston, so my top 3 med schools are Harvard, BU, and Tufts. Does anyone have any experience with these school's affinities for students who have/have not performed research?
And research during the summer really isnt an option, this summer Im working/studying for the MCAT and next summer is already booked as well.

 

[jae9970]

there are a lot of research opportunities for undergraduates during the summer. Look into REU programs and other NIH etc funded programs.

You need to fill out the application, send letters of recommendations, etc

 

[da8s0859q]

If you don't want to do research, you don't have to.... unless you want to go to a top, research-heavy school or apply MD/PhD.

I didn't do any research, and I was still accepted.

mhm. Research is nice to have, but it is by no means a requirement.

Works for me, since I mostly hate doing research.

 

[HailMary]

If you can snag a spot doing clinical research you get the research exposure along with the patient care. I initially thought I'd have no interest in research, but when you get to also spend time with the patients that it impacts, it makes it really interesting. I actually had success with the random e-mails. Pick a field of medicine that interests you, and see what the researchers in your area are doing. If you're in Boston, you should have no problem finding a research department of a field that you're interested in. PM me if you have questions, I did it for the second half of my senior year and it worked out really well.

 

[philios]

If you can snag a spot doing clinical research you get the research exposure along with the patient care. I initially thought I'd have no interest in research, but when you get to also spend time with the patients that it impacts, it makes it really interesting. I actually had success with the random e-mails. Pick a field of medicine that interests you, and see what the researchers in your area are doing. If you're in Boston, you should have no problem finding a research department of a field that you're interested in. PM me if you have questions, I did it for the second half of my senior year and it worked out really well.

actually the thing is, Im from Acton which is about 30 minutes outside Boston (not bad because I can take the T in after a 15 minute drive). Also I go to school in upstate NY, where there is no large hospital that does any sort of research. at school the only research opportunities are more science based (ie biomolec/chemistry) instead of clinical based. Id love to do research in Boston this summer but I have no idea where to look for clinical research positions. Im working 5am-1pm so that leaves me a decent amount of time in the afternoons/weekends to be able to do something. Thanks for any suggestions/help!

 

[BC7106]

Hey Philios,

Don't sweat the research thing.

I think as long as you stick to your guns and can support your decision not to do research, you'll do fine. I was in your same boat, not wanting to do research and all that, so I got a job working as a unit secretary. It was the best experience I could have had because it got me the patient contact I needed and it allowed me to shadow many doctors. It really taught me what it was like to be a practicing physician.

Then when my interviewers asked me why I hadn't done any research, I just told them it didn't interest me and that I had chosen other experiences instead. IMO, admission committees aren't really expecting you to publish great works and be on the cutting edge. They just want to see that you can be passionate about something and commit to it.

I actually just graduated from medical school last year, and even when I was applying for residency, I was faced with the same question about doing research just for the sake of doing research. Trust me, there are plenty of people who don't do research and get into good medical schools.

That having been said, I think it is true that if you want to go to a Harvard or another prestigious institution, you probably will need to do some research. BUT the truth is that if you don't like research, you probably shouldn't be applying to Harvard. I went to Tufts for medical school and the training there is much better if you just want to practice clinical medicine.

By the way, if you're interested in learning more about what it's like to be a medical student/intern, check out my blog: http://drbyron.blogspot.com

Hope this helps.

B