What kind of research am I supposed to do if I’m planning on attending medical school?

[deleted947805]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I am looking at research opportunities that are offered at the medical school I’m planning on applying to in the future. The problem is that I don’t know what type of research I should be doing. I’m really interested in Alzheimer’s disease or other mental illness researches or anything that has to do with the brain. Some of the research programs I’m looking at have to do with collecting and interpreting data fro surveys, which I don’t find interesting.

My question is: why do medical schools want to see research experiences from undergrads? Is it to see whether or not they have clinical exposure or to see how students are experienced with data interpretation?

Thank you in advance. 🙂


Sent from my iPhone using SDN

 

[Xyzcannon18]

The one you enjoy and are productive with.

Not all schools care about research experience, but it's just a part of medicine really. It's a nice experience to have, but not ENTIRELY necessary.

 

[Shunsui]

Reason: to familiarize yourself with the scientific method
Type of research: any type is acceptable I believe. However I would base it off: what you’re most interested in or the lab which has high publication rate


Sent from my iPhone using SDN

 

[Detective SnowBucket]

The kind that makes you happy.

Actually, that's not wholly true. I made the mistake of finding a research topic I was interested in an spamming every professor whose research was related and got into a lab studying what I wanted to do. Lemme tell you, it's way more important to find a cool PI and even more important to find a cool grad student to work for in the lab. I could have been doing the most BS/uninteresting research imaginable but I would have been happier with a cool grad student to work for 🙁

 

[Lawpy]

The kind that makes you happy.

Actually, that's not wholly true. I made the mistake of finding a research topic I was interested in an spamming every professor whose research was related and got into a lab studying what I wanted to do. Lemme tell you, it's way more important to find a cool PI and even more important to find a cool grad student to work for in the lab. I could have been doing the most BS/uninteresting research imaginable but I would have been happier with a cool grad student to work for 🙁

Yeah for sure. It's critical to choose a lab based on the PI since that's what really affects the quality of lab experience. Having an awesome PI who's invested in your success will help you go a long way (and maybe land you in some cool papers).

 

[deleted947805]

Yeah for sure. It's critical to choose a lab based on the PI since that's what really affects the quality of lab experience. Having an awesome PI who's invested in your success will help you go a long way (and maybe land you in some cool papers).

I’m embarrassed to ask this, but what exactly is a PI?


Sent from my iPhone using SDN

 

[Moko]

Pursue research that will expose and allow you to be an active participant in the scientific process. Pick a field that you are interested in and can talk enthusiastically about, ideally one that fits within your application's narrative and theme (note: this does not need to be medically related). I agree with others that finding a supportive and welcoming lab is very important. You want your boss to be invested in your success, and not simply view you as cheap beaker-cleaning labor.

I’m embarrassed to ask this, but what exactly is a PI?

Principal investigator. This answer can be obtained by googling "PI lab". When you do secure a research position, avoid asking questions like this that can be easily answered with a simple search. Initial impressions matter, especially if your goal is to be trusted with additional responsibilities.

 

[Detective SnowBucket]

Pursue research that will expose and allow you to be an active participant in the scientific process.

^OP, this is why med schools want you to have research in the first place, to understand the research process that becomes transnational medical research which becomes clinical practice. You just have to be able to demonstrate this.

I agree with others that finding a supportive and welcoming lab is very important. You want your boss to be invested in your success, and not simply view you as cheap beaker-cleaning labor.

Find the supportive environment/PI/GRAD STUDENT (<- most important) by having them as a professor or TA ideally. If you like them and make an effort to get to know them and get them to like you, they will invest in your success. On the other hand, compared to their PhD and probable post-doc, you're the equivalent of an illegal day-laborer in terms of skillset. You will almost certainly begin as a beaker cleaner.
Cheers!

 

[deleted947805]

Pursue research that will expose and allow you to be an active participant in the scientific process. Pick a field that you are interested in and can talk enthusiastically about, ideally one that fits within your application's narrative and theme (note: this does not need to be medically related). I agree with others that finding a supportive and welcoming lab is very important. You want your boss to be invested in your success, and not simply view you as cheap beaker-cleaning labor.

Principal investigator. This answer can be obtained by googling "PI lab". When you do secure a research position, avoid asking questions like this that can be easily answered with a simple search. Initial impressions matter, especially if your goal is to be trusted with additional responsibilities.

Thank you for the explanation, but I typed PI, PI research, PI clinic and some other stuff and the only things that popped up on my screen were the 3.14 (Pi).


Sent from my iPhone using SDN

 

[deleted947805]

^OP, this is why med schools want you to have research in the first place, to understand the research process that becomes transnational medical research which becomes clinical practice. You just have to be able to demonstrate this.


Find the supportive environment/PI/GRAD STUDENT (Cheers!

I’ll even clean the floor if I have to. Cheers to that, mate!


Sent from my iPhone using SDN

 

[Goro]

I am looking at research opportunities that are offered at the medical school I’m planning on applying to in the future. The problem is that I don’t know what type of research I should be doing. I’m really interested in Alzheimer’s disease or other mental illness researches or anything that has to do with the brain. Some of the research programs I’m looking at have to do with collecting and interpreting data fro surveys, which I don’t find interesting.

My question is: why do medical schools want to see research experiences from undergrads? Is it to see whether or not they have clinical exposure or to see how students are experienced with data interpretation?

Thank you in advance. 🙂


Sent from my iPhone using SDN

It's for your benefit. Learning about the scientific process is what it's about.

It doesn't matter what the research is. You could go study clams in the South Seas. Just learn about forming and testing a hypothesis.

 

[Catalystik]

Learning about the scientific process is what it's about.

It doesn't matter what the research is. You could go study clams in the South Seas. Just learn about forming and testing a hypothesis.

Besides giving you an understanding of the scientific process, getting involved in research allows you to demonstrate your curiosity and teamwork skills. You may also earn an LOR that speaks to personal qualities med schools seek in their interview candidates.