Too much research?

[Xcited392]

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Hi all,

I know this has been talked about in the past on other threads, but is there such thing as having too much research?

I will have a little over two years of research in the same lab (no publications, a couple of posters, a summer fellowship, and an undergraduate grant to fund my own independent project). Now, I know my research experiences are maybe slightly above average but nothing extreme. However, in the processing of gathering my LORs, one of my writers (who has taught me in a class, but has never served as my research mentor), expressed concern that I might have too much research. Now, with this particular writer our conversations outside of class has always been research related. He/She asked how my project(s) are going, and I ask how their research is going. Also, I always run into this person at various research functions. So, this person has always assumed that I was going to get a PhD. My writer has told me that I should apply to MD/PhD programs. I am planning to apply to one non-MSTP MD/PhD program, but frankly I know I am uncompetitive (due to my GPA) and I should focus solely on getting to medical school first. I have reminded this person that I have almost 60 hours of shadowing, and almost 200 hours of clinical volunteering.

Now, I'm just a little anxious that he/she will write down that I should not go to medical school. I'm thinking about meeting again with this person to reiterate my intentions of medical school.

Also, I told another letter writer that I'm worried about my abundant research experience. He/She said that I should taper my research description, omit some aspects or "useless" experiments, and play it down. Any thoughts on this?

Note: I do not plan on applying to many research heavy-MD schools, as I do not have a very high GPA. I'm aiming for lower-tier schools.

Thanks.

 

[Stumpyman]

If you don't feel confident he/she will give you a good LOR, then don't get it from this person. Or, get the LOR and get it checked by one of those LOR checking services.

 

[EBTrailRunner]

You don't have "too much" research experience. As long as you have sufficient exposure to clinical medicine and a persuasive PS, your interest in medicine won't be called into question. Don't apply MD/PhD if that's not the path you want to take, and be honest with your letter writer. If you don't feel she will write you a strong letter, don't bother asking for one.

 

[Xcited392]

You don't have "too much" research experience. As long as you have sufficient exposure to clinical medicine and a persuasive PS, your interest in medicine won't be called into question. Don't apply MD/PhD if that's not the path you want to take, and be honest with your letter writer. If you don't feel she will write you a strong letter, don't bother asking for one.

I'm using the pre-med committee, so in my interview I'll be sure to emphasize my intentions. Again, I have lots of shadowing and clinical volunteering experience.

The thing is, I do see myself being a physician-scientist regardless if I pursue an MD/PhD. I know lots of MDs involved in research and have talked to them. So, I'm well aware of the many pathways of getting there. I have other interesting ECs and I think that I make a better MD applicant than an MD/PhD applicant.

Thanks for all your suggestions. I'm going to talk to my LOR writer next week to make sure he's aware of my goals.

 

[tima]

If you have a lot of research experience, then you should be able to back it up with poster presentations, and/or a publication. Plus, a strong LOR helps.

 

[TriagePreMed]

LOL too much of something for medical school? Yeah, that's not gonna happen.

 

[Cinclus]

No worries, man. I had about 3.5 years of research going into the application season. Many of my interviewers ate it up, and my acceptance letter from Baylor (they personalize them for everyone) mentioned my "love of research" as one of the reasons I was chosen.

 

[gumbyj]

How is it "too much research" with no publications?

 

[235788]

Never too much, never too much research.

 

[catzzz88]

I don't know... I have way more research than you and most people tell me it is a huge advantage. I hope there is no such thing as "too much" research.

One thing you can do if you are confronted about... "why aren't you getting a PhD...?" etc. etc. is to respond that you DO have a lot of research experience and although you have taken away a lot from it, you have also become more aware of the fact that research is not completely fulfilling. In other words, you have just enough research to know that you don't want to focus on research for the rest of your life.

Good luck!

Best,
C