What kind of research

[wags]

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Hi,

2 questions...

When people mention that certain medical schools like U of Chicago are heavy on research, are they talking about clinical or basic sciences lab work or what ?

I have done some basic science research at UMich med school's Pharmacology department and have not run into very many MD's in the department. At the same time I honestly don't find the idea of lab work as a career very attractive, but think that I would enjoy clinical or another other type research because there is a greater deal of interaction with people. Many of my friends who are also applying to medical school tend to agree with me. How should I express this to medical schools ? Will it be looked down upon ? I'm thinking of kinda lying and only describing my positive views on my work.

What do u guys think ?
Thanks a lot.

 

[SMW]

Don't even think of lying about anything! You will not be looked down upon for not wanting a career in laboratory research, but you will be for being dishonest. You need to come across as yourself, which is hard to do when you're lying. I didn't do any research and still got 13 interviews, 5 acceptances and 6 waitlists. You need to have something on your application in the way of EC's that you can talk about enthusiastically, rather than sounding defensive about not not being all that enthused about your research experience.

 

[the_equalizer]

The point behind getting involved in research is not to place a check beside some box on your med school app. The importance behind research is that is shows your ability to be involved in an academic activity outside of schoolwork. Whether you're working alone or with others, working in this country or another, or researching science, language, history, etc.... is just details. If your experience shows your ability to apply your knowledge to novel situations then you should be fine.

On that point, I disagree with the other poster. Not having research is in my opinion a grave handicap. I'd like to know what schools that person was accepted w/o any research, and what they expressed that they'd like to do in the long term. I understand if they want to go into some type of political/law application of medicine, but if they want to go into practice, especially highly specialized practice, then not having any research is undoubtedly a disadvantage.

 

[Mike59]

Originally posted by wags
Chicago are heavy on research, are they talking about clinical or basic sciences lab work or what ?

The school itself is not likely to fuss over the specific types of research from prospective applicants. Be honest, if you didn't like something, explain what you learned out of the experience. Tell the school exactly the feeling you conveyed above .

Regarding clinical vs. basic science, there are hardly any premeds who do clinical research due to the knowledge required and the fact that you need to be networked with a medical institution to get involved in that type of work. Most people have lab experience in a bio or chem lab under a college professor. Like SMW, I also got into to a few schools without having ever stepped in a lab so just enjoy the ride and don't stress.

 

[superdevil]

I'd like to know what schools that person was accepted w/o any research, and what they expressed that they'd like to do in the long term. I understand if they want to go into some type of political/law application of medicine, but if they want to go into practice, especially highly specialized practice, then not having any research is undoubtedly a disadvantage.

I go to a state school with a med school that does not require any research experince because its main drive is to generate unspecialized primary care physicians. Some schools have different goals, and research may not always be seen as crucial (but it certainly doesn't hurt matters, either!).

 

[wags]

Thanks for your help.

I found your answer very satisfying. I entered into research partly because of my interest in science and partly because I knew it would help me get into medical school. I know I want to be a physician, but don't really want to go into much research. I don't really see too much connection between the two other than an interest in the sciences and wonder why medical schools place so much emphasis on it. A great amount of MD's don't participate in research (I think), so why do you guys think that medical schools look for students interested in research ? (Equalizer, I know u answered this, but I want different perspectives)

 

[DrSal]

😕

How'd the people without research experience compensate for it on their application??

Personally, i had one bad research experience, which led me to take a break, at the height of when i was supposed to be doing stuff. I decided to give it another go, this time in a lab whose work i find to be more interesting. So i'm going to start this fall with a different prof.

I'm thinking, worst case scenario is i do my best , and hopefully just get a nice LOR from the prof, and check that box on the application 😉 But of course, that hope of getting something worth publishing is in the back of my mind.

 

[Catalyst]

I think I might be able to provide a somewhat different perspective on research...

Most pre-meds (and science people in general), think of "research" as having to be in a lab with test tubes and chemicals brewing under a hood. However, you can research whatever you want, it doesn't have to be in a basic science. I've done research the past two summers (including this one) on socio-cultural issues surrounding music and healing. I've had an awesome time, and would encourage you to really think about your interests and not be afraid to have an interdisciplinary focus. The more you enjoy what you're doing, the more it'll come through when you apply. Obviously, I can't speak about the success of my applications (I'm applying now), but I am satisfied knowing that I did what interested me the most. If schools like my research, great; if not, that's fine too.

Something to think about...

Sachin

 

[Lux Aeterna]

Originally posted by the_equalizer


On that point, I disagree with the other poster. Not having research is in my opinion a grave handicap. I'd like to know what schools that person was accepted w/o any research, and what they expressed that they'd like to do in the long term. I understand if they want to go into some type of political/law application of medicine, but if they want to go into practice, especially highly specialized practice, then not having any research is undoubtedly a disadvantage.

I've lurked on this board for quite awhile before I started posting, and SMW was a very prolific poster back in the day. I think she's (he? sorry, SMW!) is going to a really great school, Columbia or Cornell or something like that.

I think at least having a research experience is important b/c it allows you to decide if this is something you wanna follow up on, or is it definitely not for you. I never thought I would ever like research, but I joined a lab just to see if I was missing out on anything-- and I had a great experience which I can talk about in interviews and secondaries.

But there are so many forms of research. Doesn't have to be just lab. And I don't even think it has to be in the sciences. The experience of research in general--if you have a worthwhile one-- helps enhance the mindset of exploring issues and mapping out ways to explore your hypothesis/proposal, etc. As doctors, we will have to do alot of that.

 

[Hallm_7]

wags,
I think med schools look at research positively b/c clinical medicine must first start in a lab. You can't have MDs who treat patients without PhDs working in labs developing those treatments. Also, doing research allows you to have a level of understanding of that particular field that you won't grasp just through a classroom setting. I did a SURF this summer with my own project, and i learned so much more about cell bio/bichemistry through that than I could ever dream of at school. Something about hands-on activities and designing experiements heightens the amount you absorb.

Lastly, undergraduate research helps b/c it shows that you have at least considered research as a career. Remember, most likely at least one of your interviewers will be a research scientist. Researchers don't really appreciate the attitude "I've wanted to be a doctor my whole life and I haven't considered anything else." I think they almost take it as a slap in the face if you have that attitude. However, they WILL respect your decision to pursue medicine if you've at least considered research and determined it wasn't for you. They won't hold it against you if you've done research and just didn't enjoy it.

 

[SMW]

Originally posted by DrSal
😕

How'd the people without research experience compensate for it on their application??

I "compensated" with music and volunteer/internship experiences. But I have to say I did not think of it as "compensating." I never even considered doing any research; I was too busy with other things. No one ever asked me why I hadn't done research; we were too busy talking about what I had done.

 

[Nanon]

I have to agree that it isn't so much what disapline you do your research in, it's how much it matters to you. I work for a public health study. Not only do I get a big, fat paycheck every month, I also get an incredible education on how these things actually work, from grant writing to project building. Lots of pre-meds get hired on, and ALL who have applied have gotten into med school -usually more than one.

The most amazing thing that's happened is that I've become enamoured with public health because of this job, and it's opened me up to a bunch of other really cool volunteer opportunities that I absolutely love.

So, do what you feel. I tried lab work for about a week, and found it to be interesting, but not my cup of tea.

Nanon

 

[dara678]

Some schools encourage you to talk about your research experiences in your major, and it seems to be a pretty favorable thing. So I'm guessing that if you have done research for a senior thesis or something that would demonstrate to them that you have the drive to know and to explore.

Personally, I think medicine is not about regurgitating facts; it's about manipulating the facts you know in new ways. This, in part, is a skill that research helps you develop ... I've only done research this past summer and I've already noticed a difference. I encourage those people who haven't done it yet to at least trying working for a semester or two in a lab or other research type setting.

At the same time, it's important to do what you love. I'm glad that people like SMW devoted their whole hearts to doing things outside of science that they loved. It's important for doctors to be well-rounded people, and not just have interests in the sciences ... for those people who are pursuing non-science majors, I think it's a good idea to do research in your own fields. I'm pursuing a thesis on C.S. Lewis next year, and hopefully it will be something interesting to talk about in the interviews. 🙂