Do I Need Research Experience to Get Into Medical School? | OldPreMeds Podcast Ep. 263

[@austincoppinger2653]

Dr. Gray, this statistic that "93%" of admitted students have research experience is from MSAR. So if I understand correctly, the medical schools are directly publishing this information. Many of the med schools I have looked at, which are not research-heavy, have a similar percentage, while community service would be something like 80%. This is coming directly from the AAMC, so idk what to make of it and would appreciate it if you can explain a little further.

[@antonhsiao644]

This is spot on. My undergrad is a very research heavy institution and every premed I’ve talked to is obsessed over getting a research position, often just for the sake of putting it on their application.

[@alphaspartan]

That's the game we play, unfortunately. Gotta check the boxes. I know some people say you can get in without box checking and do whatever you're passionate about, but it seems like the premeds who don't check the major boxes (shadowing, clinical volunteering/work and non-clinical volunteering) don't get accepted.

[@acd1168]

Yea well if you want to get in, then play the game

[@imgood2023]

I got in without any! Definitely possible

[@3liter6]

I didn't have any research, which I would say definitely hurt me at some schools, but in the end I got 3 acceptances from 3 interviews of the 9 MD schools I applied. I may have dodged a bullet as at one of the schools we ran out of time on the interview and I saw his next question was going to be about research...

[@olaalnoman2099]

if you don't mind me asking, what were the three schools you got accepted at?

[@nevermindmine]

which ones did you apply to ?

[@alphaspartan]

Thanks for saying it out loud. MSAR made it seem like it was necessary, with 98% of students supposedly having research experience. I got in without it!

[@acd1168]

At an MD?

[@alphaspartan]

@@acd1168 no lol. DO but I know people who got into MD without it. And that's not considering the Caribbean schools which are MD.

[@acd1168]

@@alphaspartan Thanks for clarifying 👍🏾

[@Thewiz729kdojdj]

Completely agree, I was never once asked about my research (of which I did quite a bit) during numerous interviews. Was asked a lot about clinical experiences tho

[@xhulioa8731]

Hey doc I was wondering does volunteering as a covid vaccine observer count as clinical experience? I help and interact with patients, like take their temp, help them fill out forms, oreint them and then oversee them for 20 min after they take their vaccine shot. Is that something that counts as clinical experience?

[@HunkyMonkey1203]

Absolutely

[@rohinkrishnan7212]

It’s not important until you get into residency. So in the long run ... it’s important.

[@acd1168]

You mean to get into a residency?

[@Priya-rv7ji]

Really needed this!!! Thank you.

[@Mercyforthewicked]

I got in without it but i thinkit would have helped me secure better schools

[@raspberryK1]

i love mappd. it's so useful. i like having everything in one place! :)

[@vistian]

Numbers come from the MSAR.

[@magic_key7773]

Thank you so much!!

[@leedlejones3343]

Very helpful. Thank you

[@qman1131]

I like when the "free" MAPPD two week trial requires a credit card.

[@MedicalSchoolHQ]

you can skip the credit card entry :)

[@raspberryK1]

:)

[@michaeloca2448]

thank you so much!