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December 18, 2018

How Important is Research for Medical School Admissions?

Why Medical Schools Value Research Experience

Research experience isn’t a requirement for med school admission. You won’t find a section about it on your application, but it is still valued and important. So important, in fact, that at some of the most competitive research-oriented med schools, 80-90% of admitted applicants have at least some research experience.

If research for medical school admissions isn’t required, why is such an emphasis placed on it? Why is it valued?

Here are 4 reasons why medical schools value research experience:

1. The science you learn in the classroom all comes from research.

Having research experience can deepen your understanding of what you learn in school. Knowing more about how hypotheses are formulated and how to investigate them can improve your med school experience and aid the development of skills that will help you in your medical career.

2. Research helps develop critical reasoning skills.

Research puts you in an environment that encourages you to understand the links between ideas, identify reasoning that is inconsistent or in error, and be consistent and systematic in how you approach problems. These are all skills that you will need in medical school and beyond. Participation in research shows that you are curious and able to think for yourself.

3. As a physician, you will need to continue learning throughout your career.

Research experience will help you read and evaluate journal articles to judge their findings and assess their legitimacy for treating your patients. Having familiarity with conducting scientific research will help you gauge how credible a given study is. Physicians need to be able to “think like a scientist.”

4. It will prepare you if you want to attend an MD/PhD program.

You need to have considerable research experience to be admitted to an MD/PhD program . Your ability to do research is a major factor in acceptance to these programs. Your letters of recommendation must emphasize your ability to conduct research and to impact the academic area you wish to study.

Once you’ve done your research you need to be able to share what you’ve learned with the admissions committee – both in your application and interview. Here are some pointers to make you shine as you discuss your research experience:

• Know every detail of your research. You will be the expert, so know all of the answers. Review your research before your interview to be sure you can handle any questions asked.

• Clarify the part you played in collaborative research. Be sure to specify what you did in the research project. Be prepared to discuss the importance of your role while giving credit to your team members.

• Change your emphasis depending on your interviewer. You should emphasize the parts of your research that are relevant to the person interviewing you.

8 Steps to Finding the Right Research Experience

Now that you know why research experience is an important part of your med school application, and how to share your knowledge with your adcom, let’s discuss how to find the ideal research opportunities for medical school admissions.

1. Get an early start.

It would be wonderful to have had 1-2 years of research experience before you submit your medical school application. The sooner you can find likely prospects, the better.

2. Identify your passions.

Are you more interested in Chemistry or Physics? Does Psychology really get you excited? Once you know where your real interests lie, check out the possibility of helping a professor in one of those areas. Adcoms can differentiate between someone who did research just to be able to say that they did it, and someone who was truly engaged in the experience. According to Faith Rushford, pre-health advisor at the University of Vermont Career Center, your experience should include “…contributing meaningful data, helping to improve or develop a new protocol, co-authoring parts of, or entire, manuscripts, and in some cases, presenting at conferences. This kind of substantive engagement, along with a strong letter from a principal investigator, can truly have an impact on an applicant’s profile.”

3. Get in touch with professors to see if they are looking for research assistants or lab volunteers.

Check to see if your school has a research office or centralized record of undergrad research opportunities. If not, you’ll need to explore what professors are currently working on (through department websites, etc.). Once you’ve identified possible positions and contacts, email them and inquire about speaking to them about your possibility of volunteering in their lab. Be sure to tell them about any background you have in their field – emphasizing prior research experience. Don’t lose hope if they don’t have any current openings. They may allow you to shadow them in their daily tasks, or you may need to find someone else to talk to. Your opportunity for research is out there!

4. Look at job lists.

Look for opportunities outside of your school. Hospitals, labs, pharmaceutical companies – even other universities – may be looking for research assistants.

5. Consider doing a thesis.

Different schools, and fields of study, may allow you to design you own research.

6. Investigate research programs exclusively for college grads.

If you’ve already graduated and realize that your research experience is lacking, look for programs designed just for you. The NIH and National Cancer Institute offer these types of programs, as do big research institutions.

7. Think about doing research during the summer.

You can spend 6-12 weeks working closely with faculty and doing research at a top US med school. You’ll have the chance to complete a research project and present it at the end of the summer.

8. Use the contacts you already have.

Network with professors, current students, and alumni. Do you have family, friends, or people you work with who may have contacts that can lead to an opening for research for medical school admissions? Do you know anyone that works in a lab or a college? Call your contacts and see if there are any research internship or job openings, have an informal interview to find out more about their work, or get names of further contacts.

It may take some legwork on your part, but finding the ideal research position will be well worth the effort.

Do you need help evaluating your candidacy and presenting a strong case for admission? Our expert medical school admissions consultants can guide you through every aspect of the application process. View our catalog of Medical School Consulting Services for more information on how we can help you get ACCEPTED!

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Research for medical school admissions: what do you need to know.

Reviewed by:

Jonathan Preminger

Former Admissions Committee Member, Hofstra-Northwell School of Medicine

Reviewed: 4/25/24

There are several ways in which you can make your application for medical school more attractive to the eyes of admissions committees.

While research experience is not a requirement for most schools, having a research background that is sound, aligns with your major and interests, is fundamentally strong, and overall complements your application’s theme is a perfect way to be a competitive candidate and enhance your possibilities of getting into medical school.

This guide will teach you all that you need to know about research for medical school, ensuring you’ll gain successful and meaningful experiences.

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Importance of Research for Medical School‍

Your MCAT , GPA, extracurriculars, and clinical experience all play a role in your admissions chances. But research is also key! Most but not all students accepted to medical school have research experience.

According to a survey of incoming medical students conducted by the AAMC , 60% of students participated in some kind of laboratory research for college students. Experts in the field have made their ideas about it very clear; Dr. Petrella, a Stanford University Ph.D. and mentor, states: 

“Our belief is that an exercise science curriculum provides students the opportunity to become responsible professionals of competence and integrity in the area of health and human performance.” 

Today, we’ll talk about how to prepare for and strategically use research to enhance your application and make it more interesting and rich in the eyes of the admissions committee. But first, take a quick look at why you should gain research experience in your undergraduate career. 

What Counts as Research for Medical School?‍

While most research is good research, some things should be taken into consideration before jumping into the next opportunity available: 

• Clinical research is great but research in the humanities or social sciences also counts
• Good research experience develops your writing skills, critical thinking skills, professionalism, integrity, and ability to analyze data
• It’s important to contribute to the research for a long period of time—several months rather than a couple weeks
• You can participate in research part-time or full-time; both count
• You should get involved in research related to your major, desired career, and interests
• Be committed and deeply involved in the research—you’ll be asked about it in interviews!
• Being published as a top contributor of any related research papers looks the best 

Overall, there isn’t really “bad” research experience, so long as you’re committed, make clear contributions, and are genuinely passionate about the subject! 

How to Gain Research Experience as a Pre Med

There are several ways to become involved in research and find research opportunities during your undergraduate years. Research opportunities will be available through the university you’re attending, so make sure to maintain a good relationship and communication with your professors.

One of the best ways to secure a research position is to have a conversation with your professors. They may be looking for a student to help them with an upcoming project, and even if they don’t have any opportunities to offer you, they can easily refer to other staff members who might. 

Try navigating through your university’s website as well; many schools will have a student job board that may host research opportunities. For example, if you were a premed student at the University of Washington , you’d be able to check the Undergraduate Research Program (URP) database in order to filter and find research opportunities.

How Many Hours of Research Do You Need For Medical School? ‍

Since research is not a requirement at most medical schools, there’s no minimum number of hours you should be spending at the lab. Some students report entering medical school with over 2,000 hours of research experience, while others had no more than 400. 

This may seem like a lot but bear in mind that a semester or summer of research involvement sums up to around 500-800 hours. This can be more than enough to show your abilities, commitment, and critical thinking skills.

The hours you should dedicate to research widely depend on your personal circumstances and other aspects of your application. If you have the bandwidth to dedicate more hours to research, you should, but never compromise your grades for it. 

6 Types of Medical Research

There are six main types of research that pre-med students commonly participate in: 

Basic Science Research

Basic science research involves delving into the intricacies of biology in laboratory settings. It's one of the most common pre-med research opportunities and typically entails studying genes, cellular communication, or molecular processes.

Clinical Research

Clinical research is all about working with real patients to learn about health and illness. It's hands-on and great for getting a feel for healthcare. 

Public Health Research

Public health research focuses on analyzing population health trends and developing strategies for disease prevention and health promotion. It's a great area for pre-med students interested in community health, although it is a little harder to get involved in. 

Health Public Policy Research

Health public policy research examines the impact of healthcare regulations and policies on access to care and health outcomes. Although less common among pre-med students, it offers insights into the broader healthcare system, involving analyses of policy effectiveness and healthcare disparities.

Narrative Medicine Research

Narrative medicine research explores the role of storytelling and patient experiences in healthcare delivery. It's a more human side of medicine, focusing on empathy and connection. 

Artificial Intelligence Research

Artificial intelligence research can be difficult for pre-meds to get involved in, but it offers innovative solutions to complex medical problems, such as developing AI algorithms for disease diagnosis and treatment planning.

Tips to Make the Best out of Research Hours 

Now that we've covered the importance of research experience for med school application, we'll go over some tips to help you make the most of your research experience!

Have Noteworthy Research Experience

Having noteworthy research experience is a plus in your application, but it doesn’t end here. The ultimate goal of research is to actually become involved in the most recent projects, discoveries, and questions in your field of study, and prepare you for potential research later in your graduate career.

Use Research as an Opportunity to Gain Skills

Make your best effort to see research experience not only as a way to make your resume and application look better, but also as an opportunity to gain skills and face challenges that will help you become a dedicated professional, and will help you succeed in any your future endeavors. 

Be Clear With Your Goals

Before getting started with your research hours, make sure the research question is perfectly clear to you, and that you’re familiar and interested in what the research is aiming to find or prove. By doing this, you’ll be off to a great start, and your research experience will be valuable from the beginning.

Understand the Project and Be Engaged

Once you’re involved in research, make sure you try your best to perfectly understand every part of it. Shallow and meaningless research experiences won’t get you very far.

During your interview you'll be asked about the research project – regardless of your level of contribution, it’s important for you to be clear, confident, and perfectly articulate to make yourself a competitive candidate.

Take Your Experience Seriously

Also, take your time at the lab very seriously. Try approaching your research contribution as a job; show up in time just like you would show up in time for work, put your best effort in it, and above all, be professional. 

Build Relationships With Your Supervisors

Another tip for maximizing your research experience is to make a connection and form a relationship with the mentor or the professor that will, or is already working with you. By forming strong bonds and relationships, you’ll have the opportunity to ask your mentor for a letter of recommendation.

So, do take every hour spent seriously and work hard to make a good impression. This way, you’ll kill two birds with one stone: you’ll gain research experience while obtaining strong recommendations.

What Kind of Research do Medical Schools Prefer? (Science vs Non-Science)‍

That is a somewhat tricky question. The simple answer is that any research that can show your involvement and commitment and aligns with the theme of your application is beneficial. However, there are a lot of layers to it. 

Probably the most common type of research among applicants –which is also highly valued by medical schools – is science and lab research. If you’re a science major in college, this is probably the way you’d want to go; laboratory-based research. 

With that said, if your major is in the social sciences or humanities, getting involved in research related to your major and your interests is something that medical schools will find attractive.

After all, the majority of schools use a holistic approach to admissions and want their potential candidates to be widely and well-educated individuals.

1. Is Research Experience More Important Than Clinical Experience For Medical School?‍

The short answer to this is no. Even though the majority of applicants have research experience, for many deans of admissions, clinical experience is equally and sometimes even more valuable. The clinical experience involves patient interaction, which is undoubtedly crucial preparation for a life-long career as a physician.

However, getting your first research experience as early as possible in your undergraduate years will help you determine if research is something you’d like to pursue in the future. Plus, it will make it easier for you to secure more research positions in your graduate years, so you should definitely go for it if it's of your interest. 

2. Is Research Experience More Important Than Physician Shadowing?

While both experiences are relevant, research has the added benefit of allowing you to gain hands-on experience. However, don’t forget that doctor shadowing also adds a lot of value to your application, since it serves the purpose of actually seeing what being a physician is, and such experience could determine your interest in moving forward. 

You should also take into account what your medical school of choice expects. For example, for research-focused schools like the Mayo Clinic , research experience will definitely be more important and you should plan on putting most of your energy there. ‍

3. Should I Take A Gap Year Before Medical School To Gain Research Hours?‍

Taking a gap year gives you the opportunity to refine your application and fully focus on what you want to improve. Whether it’s worth it or not depends on your personal and academic circumstances. Remember, it’s not necessarily about how many hours you complete, but the level of contribution you make and your interest in it!

4. Should I Participate In Many, Short-Lived Research Experiences Or In A Few Long Ones?‍

Always choose quality over quantity when it comes to research experience. One long research experience will impress the admissions committee far more than several short ones! More time spent on a project often means greater contributions made, and it demonstrates interest, persistence, and resilience.

5. Should I Look For Research Opportunities Even If My GPA Is A Bit Low?‍

If you’ve gone through a hard time and your GPA is suffering a little bit, definitely focus your energy on that before committing to long hours in the lab. Your GPA and MCAT scores are the non-arguable parts of your application; make sure these are as impeccable as possible, and as soon as there’s an improvement, move on to research.

That doesn’t mean that you should completely forget about the “extras” of your application; as long as you keep a balance between a good GPA, scores, work, and extracurriculars, you’ll be on the right path to creating a competitive application. ‍

6. What Does It Mean To Be Published In Research? Is It Important To Medical Schools?‍

Being published means that your name appears on written documents about research, and it is, indeed, important, but not necessary. We’re not talking about being the first author in a publication, since this is almost impossible for an undergraduate student. 

However, appearing as a co-author on any presentation, publication, or poster will help you build a reputation.

7. What Should I Do If I Don’t Have Research Experience?‍

Ultimately, if you don’t have any research experience and do not have time or do not plan on being part of any research, focus and invest time in your clinical experience as well as volunteering and community service. Also, work on maintaining a good GPA and improving your MCAT score.

Keep in mind, though, that MD-PhD candidates do need to get involved in research before applying, and a big emphasis should be placed on research in these cases. 

8. Does Clinical Research Count Also As Clinical Experience?

Clinical research can count as both clinical experience and research experience in your AMCAS application.

9. Is Research Required For Medical School?

Research experience is not required for most medical schools. However, having research experience will help you stand out and present yourself as a more competitive candidate during the application process.

Final Thoughts‍

Participating in research for medical school can play an important role in the quality of your application. For this reason, knowing how to make your experiences as valuable and rich as possible will play a key role in ensuring the research complements your application and overall profile. 

Research is the perfect way to build a strong skill set that will aid you as a medical student and make you a better physician! 

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Many med school applicants share  strong GPAs and impressive MCAT scores . So admissions officers look to other measures to make comparisons among candidates. Lab and research experience is one way to set yourself apart.

How Important is Research Experience to Med Schools?

While research experience is not a requirement for admission to med school (unless you are a MD-PHD candidate), it can definitely be an advantage on your application. An interest in research shows off your curiosity, maturity, and work ethic—all qualities of students who are prepared to handle the challenges of med school.

If you are considering a career in academic medicine, you should try to get involved in research projects early in your undergraduate career. Bonus: Your research mentors are terrific people to ask for letters of recommendation !

Where to Find Research Opportunities

1. sit down with your professor..

Treat a professor to coffee and ask about research and special project opportunities for undergraduates in her lab or department. Touch base with any teaching and research assistants you work with through your pre-med courses , as well.

2. Check out various science department websites at your university.

Department websites usually list information on current research projects or can direct you to your school's offerings for funded or volunteer research. E-mail principal investigators (the lead researcher for a grant project administered by a university) at your school and ask how you can get involved with their study.

Read More: How To Make Your Med School Application Stand Out

3. Investigate summer programs.

Medical centers host summer research programs for undergraduates and even sometimes high school students. The National Science Foundation sponsors its Research Experience for Undergraduates program at many college campuses throughout the summer. Check out the AAMC database for summer undergraduate research programs geared toward students interested in scientific research.

4. Talk to your pre-med advisor or your college advisor.

These counselors are extremely knowledgeable about academic opportunities on campus and can point you in the right direction. You can also make an appointment to talk with a staff member at your college's career center.

5. Check out study abroad and internship programs.

Consider programs conducting research in the field. Internships at national laboratories and research facilities are also great options.  

6.  Consider taking a year off to participate in full-time research.

Applying to med school the summer before you senior year of college, essentially means you only have three years to pack in pre-req and extracurriculars. A gap year gives you time to devote to something you missed out—like conducting research— and strengthen your application.

What Types of Research Experiences Do Med Schools Look For?

Med schools typically find value in a wide range of experiences covering basic and social sciences, clinical, and humanities research. But a full year of research, preferably in lab setting, makes your research background stand out.

What if I don’t have Research Experience?

Med schools care about the sum of your experience. If you haven't had the opportunity or don't want to partake in research, dedicate your time to raising your MCAT scores or investing in your extracurriculars.  Our med school admission experts can help you position your accomplishments and experiences on your application.

That being said, research-oriented medical schools are also more likely to prioritize lab research experience during the admissions process. MD-PhD candidates will write an essay for their AMCAS application that highlights their research background.

Want to get an edge over the crowd?

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Do You Need Research Experience for Medical School?

• Apr 11, 2024
• Reviewed By: Liz Flagge

Medical school applicants often ask the same question: Do you need research hours for medical school? Becoming a doctor means making a commitment to lifelong learning. Among the many experiences premed students can engage in, research stands out as a crucial component of your application. It ties into this idea of evolving into a lifelong learner.

Engaging in research builds your understanding of scientific inquiry and cultivates essential skills for success in medical school and as a physician. In this article, we’ll explore why research is important for premed students, how to get involved, and the invaluable benefits it offers.

Why Research Matters for Medical School

Research is the cornerstone of medical advancement. It pushes the boundaries of knowledge, fosters innovation, and drives improvements in patient care. For premed students, engaging in research provides a firsthand opportunity to contribute to the ever-evolving landscape of medicine. It offers a chance to explore scientific inquiries, tackle challenging questions, and make meaningful discoveries that can potentially impact patient outcomes. 

Moreover, research equips premed students with invaluable skills that are highly sought after in medical school and beyond. If anything, this reason alone is why you need research for medical school. It hones critical thinking abilities, fosters analytical reasoning, and nurtures a spirit of inquiry. 

How Many Research Hours Do You Need for Medical School?

There is no set number of research hours you need for your medical school application. However, the AAMC reported that matriculants in the 2022 cycle averaged 1,360.7 hours of research lab experience .

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Where to find research opportunities for premeds.

Getting your start in research may seem daunting at first. However, it can be accessible to everyone. Here are some steps to guide premed students on your journey into the world of research:

1. Identify Your Interests

Reflect on your interests within the field of medicine. Are you passionate about neuroscience, public health, or genetics? Identifying your areas of interest will help you narrow down potential research opportunities. Peruse faculty websites or journal articles to get a sense of what excites you. 

Or, take this quiz to see what kind of doctor you should be first!

2. Reach Out to Faculty

Take the initiative to reach out to faculty members at your undergrad institution who are conducting research in your areas of interest. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and demonstrate your eagerness to learn. Usually, they are happy to share their work with people.

Many universities offer research programs specifically designed for premed students. Explore these programs and consider applying to gain hands-on research experience under the mentorship of experienced researchers.

Attend research seminars, conferences, and networking events to connect with researchers and fellow students who share your interests. Building a strong network can open doors to exciting research opportunities and collaborations. These connections can serve you throughout your career. Plus, if your relationship is strong enough, they might write you a letter of recommendation for medical school.

4. Be Persistent

Securing a research position may require persistence and patience. Still, don’t be discouraged by initial setbacks or rejections. Keep reaching out, exploring different avenues, and demonstrating your commitment to research!

Benefits of Research Experience Medical School Applicants

Engaging in research as a premed student offers a TON of benefits that extend far beyond your med school application . Here’s how research experience can enhance your journey through medical school and prepare you for a successful career as a physician:

• Enhanced Critical Thinking: Research challenges you to think critically, analyze data, and draw evidence-based conclusions. These skills are indispensable for success in medical school. Additionally, as a med student, you’ll be required to navigate complex medical cases and make informed clinical decisions.
• Understanding of Scientific Methodology: Research familiarizes you with the scientific method and experimental design. This lays a solid foundation for understanding medical literature and conducting evidence-based practice in clinical settings.
• Communication Skills: Engaging in research involves presenting findings, writing reports, and collaborating with fellow researchers. These experiences sharpen your communication skills, which are essential for effectively communicating with patients, colleagues, and interdisciplinary teams in healthcare settings.
• Professional Development: Research fosters professionalism, resilience, and adaptability—qualities that are highly valued in the medical field. It teaches you to manage time effectively, overcome challenges, and work collaboratively towards common goals.

Final Thoughts

Research is not just a checkbox on your medical school application. It’s a transformative experience that enriches your understanding of medicine, sharpens your skills, and prepares you for the challenges ahead. By immersing yourself in research as a premed student, you’re not only investing in your academic success but also laying the groundwork for a fulfilling and impactful career in medicine. 

Still, if you can’t fit research into your packed premed schedule, don’t worry. You can still strengthen your application with a competitive MCAT score. Blueprint MCAT  students increase their MCAT scores by 15 points, on average.

Whether you need the flexibility of a  Self-Paced Course , the instruction of a  Live Course , or 1:1 attention of a  private MCAT tutor , we have the MCAT prep option that works for your learning style!

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Here’s Why Premeds Should Gain Research Experience to Get into Medical School?

• May 1, 2022

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If you are looking to pursue an  MD program , having research experience will make the process smoother and easier. Many medical school officials and physicians recommend premedical students to find some undergraduate research opportunities. Conducting academic research can improve your chances of gaining admission into medical school. Students with strong academic records and compelling research experience can easily gain a spot in a medical school.

Finding some undergraduate research opportunities allows premeds to improve their medical school application. It helps premeds to develop essential skills and qualities required for becoming a competent doctor. Let’s figure out  why premeds need research experience  and what type of research premedical students should participate in.

Reasons to Get Involved in Pre-Med Research Opportunities

Having an impressive research background makes you a successful medical school applicant as it will develop important skills essential for a medical school student. Conducting research enables students to obtain knowledge, bolster confidence and augment your medical school application. Participating in different research projects also hones your technical knowledge and prepares you for a medical career.

–   Enhance Your Medical School Application

If you are applying to medical school, obtaining some research experience is a great idea to improve your candidacy. According to medical school admissions experts, premed research projects provide students with deeper insights into the practical lives of physician scientists. No matter the type of research project premeds conduct, lab-based or any other. The key is to gain a significant amount of knowledge and become a successful medical student.

Moreover, participating in different research projects shows the medical school admissions officials that you are passionate about the specific project. Completing a research project as an undergraduate is the biggest achievement and helps you stand out as an applicant.

–   Prepare You for a Rewarding Career

Participating in different types of research projects will help you determine your academic and career goals. There are a number of possible fields of research including natural sciences, physical sciences and engineering, social science and humanities, and public health research – to name a few. Getting involved in different research opportunities will help you gain certain research techniques, laboratory skills, historical analysis and much more. When you engage in different types of research projects, you can better decide which medical field would suit you best.

–   Develop Important Skills

Getting involved in research projects allows aspiring physicians better understand medical science and develop important skills required to become a  successful medical student . For instance, working with a research team hones your teamwork and communication skills essential for working in the field of medicine.

Finding a research opportunity in any field is a great advantage as you will definitely develop certain skills. However, getting involved in the research project in the field that interests you more is a great feat. It will impress the medical school admissions committee that you have certainly enjoyed the experience and are passionate about the medical field.

Remember, the field of your research is not as important as the skills you develop. Conducting premed research allows you to develop research skills, gathering and analyzing data, critical thinking skills, analytical skills, verbal and communication skills, and the list goes on and on.

How to Find PreMed Research Opportunities?

Finding a research opportunity for getting scientific exposure and technical knowledge is a daunting process. Gaining an impressive research experience requires significant time and effort. Premedical students are advised to start undergraduate research early in college. It will give you ample time for experimentation, data analysis and polish your research skills. Narrowing down your interests and focusing on the subjects that interests you more will make the premed research process easier.

If you want to gain some research experience, here are some easy tips to find premedical research opportunities.

Reach out to Medical Schools

Many medical schools offer research opportunities for premeds. Reaching out to medical schools is the easiest step to get involved in research opportunities. Professors and teaching assistants are personally involved in research projects as they are completing their PhD programs. You can ask them if there is any position vacant in the research team. Teaching assistants usually look for assistants for their research projects who can help them complete their project.

Join Pre-Med Clubs

Joining premed clubs allows you to find research opportunities. Ask your seniors about their research experiences. They have contacts with professors and can better guide you on how to reach out to those professors who need research assistants for their projects. Furthermore, older students help you find research opportunities at hospitals, clinics, and laboratories. Senior students who shadowed a physician might know which physician is currently involved in a research project and are looking for an assistant. Your premed peers and seniors will definitely help you and point you in the right direction.

Reach out to Hospitals

As a medical student, you are supposed to participate in extracurricular activities, gain  physician shadowing  experience and perform volunteer work. These activities will help you learn new skills, develop new relationships, and find research opportunities. Reach out to the physicians you shadowed; they will definitely help you connect with the research team looking for the assistants for their projects. You can also check the websites of hospitals, research institutes, and medical centers to check if there is any vacancy available for research assistants.

Look for Summer Research Programs

Many medical schools offer research programs that are especially designed for students interested in research. Students enrolled in summer research programs to gain some research experience, build important skills and connect with healthcare professionals. Completing these research programs helps you improve your medical school application.

Aspiring physicians interested in research can look for many premed research opportunities to experience new ways of learning. Performing undergraduate research projects preparers students to become a successful medical school applicant and pursue a rewarding medical career. Research in medicine helps students gain useful skills, provide exposure to different fields, and make advancements in the healthcare field.

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Why all medical students need to experience research

• Post author By Website Publications Officer
• Post date June 4, 2016

Medical students are very busy. The demands of studying medicine are extraordinary. Why then is it so important, on top of all there is to learn, to bother engaging in health and medical research? It is particularly important to consider this question at a time when, nationally and internationally, medical schools are including a research project as either a requirement of their program or a highly encouraged option. In fact, the Australian government is now supporting research by medical students with a specific category of scholarship funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) available to students undertaking in a combined MBBS/PhD or MD/PhD program. [1]

As a Dean of Medicine, and passionate advocate of health and medical research (HMR) in Australia, I support the inclusion of research in medical programs. Research training and experience are not just ‘nice to have’ but a ‘must’ for our doctors of the future. Increased research training in medical programs is beneficial for a student’s professional pathway, their evolving practice and, most importantly, for the health of the patients and communities they serve. [2,3]

Demonstrated research experience at medical school is increasingly important in obtaining positions in training programs post-graduation. [4] Recognition of the importance of HMR in developing and applying the skills and knowledge acquired in their medical studies has seen many of the specialist colleges including research training and productivity (for example publications) in their approach to selection of trainees. Competition for vocational and advanced training places is fierce, and a professional resume that includes research productivity and qualifications is and will continue to be important. Some colleges may even move to requiring a PhD for entry into advanced training.

A research experience may be the first time a student has had to write and record what they do, think, and find coherently, concisely and precisely. This can contribute to developing lasting habits of critical thinking. In a landmark and classic essay, C. Wright Mills commented that there was never a time he was not thinking, reflecting, analysing, and writing – he was always working on an idea. [5] This is the mindset that research can build up, and this is surely the mindset we want in clinical medicine and population health, where continuing critical appraisal of new evidence and engagement with new ideas is vital. In addition to stimulating ongoing interest in learning, this intellectually curious mindset contributes to a sense of personal satisfaction and eagerness to engage in discovery and learning as part of a team. [3,6] Research achievements are rarely made by individuals in isolation. Developing a mindset of critical inquiry in individuals and teams clearly encourages research productivity in grants and publications in the longer term, [3] which can ‘future-proof’ careers at a time when research performance is important in professional esteem and progression. Even more importantly, involvement in research appears to improve clinical practice. Research-active healthcare providers appear to provide better care and achieve better patient outcomes, [7] making the investment of time in research training for medical students potentially very important to building a healthier society in the long term. Given the potential benefits to early career clinicians and to patients, it is important to expose recent medical graduates to research as well, and successful postgraduate training programs are also taking steps to include research training. [3,8]

So, what is the best way for medical schools and postgraduate training programs to provide research training that maximises these benefits? It is clear from the literature that the most important thing is to have protected time to pursue research. Whether the research is a programmed experience as part of a course (as is increasingly the case), or something pursued independently by the individual student or trainee, giving as much time as possible is key to getting the best quality outcomes. For recent graduates, hospitals need to allow time to do research. [8] For students, time should be set aside within the program. [4] Students and trainees also need to be mentored by experienced researchers to get the best results. [3] Research experiences for students and trainees that combine mentorship and protected time can deliver the biggest benefits to our future clinical leaders and society as they are most likely to result in high quality outputs that are published and improve knowledge and practice. Where possible, trainees without research degrees should try to enrol in these at the same time as pursuing their research experiences, through a university that offers flexible research training and options to submit theses by publication, as earning a research degree such as a PhD is increasingly becoming a prerequisite for obtaining research funding that can support a clinical research career.

In summary, more than ever before, being a doctor in the 21st century is a career of lifelong learning. The combination of continued, rapid growth in knowledge and advancing technology bringing that information to your fingertips, have brought both a richness to the practice of medicine as well as a challenge. There is a growing appreciation that researchers make better clinicians. Research exposure increases understanding of clinical medicine; facilitates critical thinking and critical appraisal; improves prospects of successful application for post graduate training, grants, and high impact publications; develops teamwork skills; and increases exposure to the best clinical minds. The government is lifting its investment in health and medical researchers like never before. The establishment of the Medical Research Future Fund by the Australian Government, for example, offers the promise of continued durable investment in HMR and innovation, and the NHMRC’s substantial investment in research training scholarships for current students and recent graduates signals the Government’s commitment to developing clinician researchers for the future.

I encourage all students to make the most of research opportunities in medical school and beyond, not only for the personal and professional benefits, but in contributing to the health of their patients and to the Australian community.

[1] NHMRC Funding Rules 2015: Postgraduate Scholarships – 6 Categories of Award – 6.2. Clinical Postgraduate Scholarship. 2015. https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/book/6-categories-award-3 (accessed Nov 2015).

[2] Laidlaw A, Aiton L, Struthers J, Guild S. Developing research skills in medical students: AMEE guide no. 69. Med Teach. 2012;34:754–71.

[3] Lawson PJ, Smith S, Mason MJ, Zyzanski SJ, Stange KC, Werner JJ, Flocke SA. Creating a culture of inquiry in family medicine. Fam Med. 2014;46(7):515–521.

[4] Collier AC. Medical school hotline: importance of research in medical education. Hawai’i Journal Med Public Health. 2012;71(2):53-6.

[5] Mills, CW. On intellectual craftsmanship. In: Seale, C. Editor. Social research methods: A reader. London: Routledge, 2004.

[6] von Strumm S, Hell B, Chamorro-Premuzic T. The hungry mind: intellectual curiosity is the third pillar of academic performance of university. Perspect Psychol Sci. 2011;6(6):574-88.

[7] Selby P, Autier P. The impact of the process of clinical research on health service outcomes. Ann Oncol 2011;22(Suppl 7):vii5-vii9.

[8] Chen JX, Kozin ED, Sethi RKV, Remenschneider AK, Emerick KS, Gray ST. Increased resident research over an 18-year period – a single institution’s experience. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2015;153(3):350-6.

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6 Ways to Get Research Experience for Medical School Applications

January 25, 2020

Research for Medical School

Research experience looks great on medical school applications and there are often specific sections to describe your research or your publications. Students often regret not seeking out research opportunities prior to starting their applications and will be competing against applicants with Masters or Doctorate degrees. Here are 6 ways to get research experience as an undergraduate student:

Volunteer in a Lab

The simplest way to get research experience is to volunteer in a lab. You won’t get paid or gain course credit, but you will get basic research experience, learn lab techniques, and see if you like it. Start by reading professors’ biographies online to see what research they do. If their research sounds interesting to you, send them an email enquiring about volunteer research positions in their lab.

Directed Studies / Research Experience Courses

Some universities have “courses” in which you do original research with a faculty member. These courses are different than traditional lecture or lab courses; however, you still have to pay tuition fees for these courses and they will appear on your transcript. Research experience courses can be one or two semesters long, with your research topic appropriate to your length of commitment. You will have to arrange a faculty supervisor prior to the start of the semester.

NSERC Undergraduate Science Research Awards

These awards provide financial support to engage in 16 consecutive weeks of full-time research for a faculty researcher. Research must be in the natural sciences or engineering and you may do the research in the fall, spring or summer semesters. You will have to make arrangements with a faculty supervisor and submit your application, including your proposed research project, well in advance of your start date (e.g. January for summer research). Each university is allocated a number of awards, and they are awarded based on your academic record and research aptitude.

Other Undergraduate Research Awards and Prizes

Similarly, your school may offer its own undergraduate research awards for students who wish to participate in research under the direction of a faculty member. These provide financial support for one semester of full-time research, often for the summer term. Be sure to watch application timelines as these may only be awarded once annually.

Honours Thesis

The most significant research option for undergraduate students is an honours program. Honours involves completing a year-long (Sept-Apr) self-directed research project alongside regular coursework in your fourth or final year of studies. Honours is a significant commitment and will add seminar and other required classes on top of the Major degree requirements. Accordingly, you will graduate with an Honours degree instead of a Major degree. Plan to apply to honours in your third year and check that you meet GPA requirements. This option is recommended if you plan to pursue post-grad research such as a Master’s degree or a combined M.D./Ph.D. program.

Co-op Programs

Co-op programs generally require you to apply early in your degree and work full-time during four non-academic semesters. Not all co-op jobs involve research, but many do. Co-op usually extends your degree by up to a year, but in return you will graduate with Co-op designation on your diploma and significant work experience on your résumé and medical school applications.

Now that you know 6 different avenues to gain research experience during your undergrad, check out this blog  here  for helpful tips to secure a research positon.

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• Premed Research

How Important is Research for Medical School

How important is research for medical school? Research is a critical part of your medical learning, and its important for both how to prepare for med school applications and of course your entire medical career. Research experience of any type is a valuable asset on medical school applications, and clinical research experience even more so. If you’ve completed a stint in a clinical research position, these can count towards how many clinical hours you need for medical school . Some of the most competitive or research-focused medical colleges even require students to have prior research experience to be accepted. Not every med school asks for research experience, but every medical student will need some research experience under their belts by the time they graduate. In this blog, we’ll look at how important research is for medical school, what research experience can do for you and where to look to find medical research opportunities. 

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Article Contents 6 min read

How important is research for medical school.

There are two sides to this question. The first is whether research experience is important for medical school applications. The second is whether gaining research experience is an important part of attending medical school. The answer to both of these is undoubtedly yes, research is very important for medical school.

Of course, there are some qualifications to this importance. Having research experience is not a hard requirement for the vast majority of medical school applications and students can still be accepted without pre-med research experience. For highly competitive medical schools, such as Stanford Medical School , or medical schools with a heavy focus on research, it may not only be a requirement but a huge asset and a way for you to ensure your medical school application stands out . For a majority of competitive, research-heavy medical colleges, up to 90% of matriculating students have prior research experience.

Check out our video for more advice on how to find premed research experience

It’s a good idea to check Medical School Admission Requirements ( MSAR ) to see if your choice of med school requires applicants to have any research experience, and if the admissions board has any preference for what type of research experience. A majority of schools will gladly accept students with research experience, but your priority should be on crafting an excellent med school app first and foremost. If you have a strong application and you have the time, you can consider looking for pre-med research opportunities to add to your application as a bonus.

But even if your choice of med school doesn’t require research experience, it is still extremely important to your journey as a med student and your future career as a doctor. If you are planning to apply to a very competitive medical school program, intend to pursue an MD/PhD program or are applying to a research-intensive medical college, research experience is an absolute must. And if none of these apply to you, eventually you will want to add research experience to your medical school resume, too.

First, let’s look at what research experience can do or your medical school applications.

Research experience for medical school applications

Research experience might be a necessary requirement for many med school applications, depending on the school and the program, but the type of research experience can vary significantly. For most med schools, they aren’t choosy about the type of research you have experience in, even if it’s not directly related to the medical field. Having any kind of research position in a scientific discipline will lend you invaluable experience and skills that will transfer to your time at med school.

But something that can help you stand out, and which medical schools value more heavily is clinical research experience. To gain clinical research as a premed might not always be possible for all students. Many try to find virtual research for premed students or look into virtual shadowing opportunities. But straight research experience and even shadowing experience is not considered actual clinical experience, and if you have any direct clinical experience on your med school application, it is considered an asset no matter where you apply.

Even if your choice of med school isn’t bothered by a lack of premed research experience or you don’t plan to pursue a career in medical research, this doesn’t mean you’re off the hook. Research is still an important aspect of medical school and being a practicing physician. Research experience provides you with pivotal skills you’ll employ as a doctor, but it can also broaden and deepen your medical knowledge and medical skills. Doctors rely on research to inform them and broaden their understanding of the medical field. And plenty of clinical physicians take the time to do their own research or publish research as a way to further their careers and open up new opportunities. Research experience also serves as a way to make your medical school resume stand out when you’re applying for jobs in residency and beyond. It might even be a requirement if you want to apply for research training positions or specialty medical research jobs.

For medical students in particular, they will be expected to undertake research projects and will be provided dedicated, protected research time to not only conduct their own individual or team research but to read the work of other researchers, too. Not all of your research experiences need to come directly through school, either. You can and are encouraged to pursue research opportunities outside med school as well. Any experiences you can add to your portfolio will be to your benefit. In short, research is a foundational part of the med school experience and in developing your skills as a medical professional.

So how can research experience help you in medical school? What advantages and benefits can it bring you? We’ll take a closer look at how important research is for medical school students and how it can be a long-term advantage in their careers.

In the vein of critically evaluating research work, conducting research will naturally develop your critical thinking and analysis skills. Throughout med school you will be asked to participate in, read about and conduct research, as doing so is part of the foundation of your medical knowledge. Research experience can also be influential in developing other important medical skills, too, such as better communication, teamwork and writing skills. It\u2019s also been shown through research that doctors who continue to learn about medicine and study medical research provide better care to patients overall. If nothing else, making a habit of regular research and study will keep you fresh and up to date on the medical field and its latest developments. "}]">

How to find medical research opportunities

Students who do want to attach some research experience to their applications or resumes often wonder where to start looking. Whether you’re a premed, current med school student or graduate student, gaining some research experience is important for your career. There are a number of places to look for opportunities, but the best ways are to use your network of contacts and ask them for recommendations. There are many programs, internships and study programs which offer research experience of any kind, and your school professors, mentors and advisors will have more insight into where to find them.

Research is a critical and eventual must-have skill and experience for medical school. Whether you add some research experience as a premed, med student or medical graduate depends on where you want to go to school and what your chosen career path as a medical professional will end up being. While you will almost certainly be given some research opportunities in medical school, it’s to your advantage to pursue some outside of your studies as well, to give yourself a competitive advantage in the job market, to continue your lifelong medical learning and to ensure you become the best doctor you can be for your future patients.

Research can a big advantage on both medical school applications and on medical school resumes for graduate medical students. Research experience is also very important to gain during your time at medical school, as it is a foundational skill you will need to become a physician.

Yes; research experience is not a definite requirement at most med schools and students without experience can still be accepted with a strong application. However, good research experience should not be considered a substitute for poor academic performance.

A majority of medical schools don’t require research experience for med school applications, with some exceptions. However, as a matriculating med school student you will be expected to gain research experience and participate in research projects during your school years.

Premed students can find valuable research positions through summer internship programs or by consulting with a college advisor. Professors and mentors are also a good option for finding research opportunities. Premeds can also look into study abroad programs that offer research experience.

No; most medical schools consider direct clinical experience more important than lab or field research for admissions. However, if you plan to apply for medical research positions, to a research-intensive med school program or want to pursue an MD/PhD, then research experience will be considered more important to have.

Research is part of the foundational skills med students will learn and will take with them into their future careers. Research experience can also provide a competitive advantage in the job market and prepare them for residency positions or work as a practicing physician.

Even if this is the case, research is a large part of being a physician and you will be required to gain at least a little experience with medical research throughout your med school career.

Generally speaking, no. Medical schools aren’t picky about the type of research experience you have, or even if the subject of the research undertaken was non-medical. Any research experience is valid.

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Why Research Is Important for Medical Students

The way information is being shared is rapidly changing.

People can get all the information that they need in a matter of seconds through the internet. Because of this flooding of information, people are changing their attitudes towards research and education. That is having an impact on medical students.

There is a worldwide decline in the number of so-called physician researchers.

Research for Medical Students

Many medical students do not see themselves having a career that emphasizes research. The question is should students be consumers of the products of scientific research only or should they be conducting their own research?

Medical students are already busy as it is. Should they burden themselves with doing research as well?

The answer is yes, medical students should and must engage in research as part of their studies and here are some of the reasons why:

• Research experience in medical school is increasingly becoming an important factor when it comes to obtaining training positions post-graduate. Competition for such training positions are very fierce and having research experience is a distinct advantage.
• Research training could also be the first time that students get to write what they think and do so in a coherent and concise manner. This contributes to the development of habits that are crucial in a medical career.
• Doing research while in medical school can also encourage the production of papers and research later on. This can help in boosting careers.
• It also appears that research-active physicians provide better care to patients.
• Medical doctors must understand and appreciate the research process. They must be able to critically appraise the literature. This is very important today, since patients get all kinds of information through the Internet and when there are so many articles out there, and the majority of them are published without checking for quality and legitimacy, just for money. Doctors must know what is legitimate and what is not, because the patient will ask about things he read in the newspapers, or in journals, or found on the Internet.

Given all these benefits, it really is obvious that research is very important for medical students.

So, now that it is clear that research is very important for medical students, how can they be provided with adequate research training?

The main thing that medical schools and training programs should provide students with is protected time during which research can be conducted.

This should be done whether the research is actually a part of a student’s course or is an independent study being undertaken by an individual. Hospitals should also allow their doctors who are recent graduates to conduct research.

Time is not the only thing that should be provided by medical schools and hospitals. Students should also be guided by experienced mentors in order to ensure that they will be getting the best research results possible.

The combination of guaranteed time and experienced mentorship will increase the likelihood of research outputs that are of high quality. Students should also be encouraged to get research degrees.

How Saint James School of Medicine Promotes Research

So, how can Saint James School of Medicine help when it comes to research?

Students get the opportunity to do research and Get essential and enduring knowledge in medicine. These are the things that you will get from research in SJSM:

• Unique learning opportunity.
• Opportunity to be part of a team.
• The opportunity to apply what you learned in class.
• Strengthen your residency application.
• Intellectual challenge.
• Close work with faculty members, practicing physicians and PhDs.
• The opportunity to publish your research in respectable journals.
• Opportunity to present your research at respectable scientific conferences.

At the end of the day, becoming a doctor today means a life that will be spent in study. Part of that study should be devoted to serious medical and scientific research.

Modern technology has made innovations in the way that people learn but it has also come with obvious challenges. It is up to the students and the medical schools to make sure that they meet those challenges head on and one of those challenges is to conduct adequate research because, as we have seen, physicians who have experience in research provide better care for patients.

Research in medicine is not only laboratory work. It is lifelong learning. It is never ending looking for evidence, it is the retrieval of information, it is a critical analysis of the literature, and many many more.

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• Medical School Application Articles and Resources

Do I Need Research Experience for Medical School Admissions?

Dr. Freedman answers this common question.

Dr. Freedman answers: Do I need research to get into medical school?

Often I am asked: Do I need research for medical school admissions?

Here’s the thing:

Research is something that I consider to be a prerequisite for medical school.

Does it have to be medical or scientific research?

No! It doesn’t necessarily have to be scientific research.

For example:

If you’re an art history major, you can do art history research. It’s important to understand how research is done, and understanding how to analyze data.

You should also know how to critically evaluate data, how to draw conclusions, and how to do a literature search.

All of these things can be applied to medicine.

It get’s better:

More traditionally students will do either basic science research in a lab or they will do clinical research.

Why, you ask?

This tends to be something that most students can find more easily. Students might be more interested in this type of research and sometimes it is more directly applicable to medicine.

The bottom line:

Some type of research, to me, is a prerequisite for for medical school.

It is not an option.

I consider those two types of research to be requirements.

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Get Expert Help With Your Secondary Essays!

One of the most common questions I get is whether or not research experience is required to get into medical school.

So, do you need research for medical school?  No, it’s not required to get into medical school. Although there’s one exception that I know of, and that’s the University of Utah . When you look at their homepage for their admission requirements, they actually require a minimum number of hours.

Today I’m going to explain how you should think about research experience as part of the medical school application and part of your premed path.

Listen to this podcast episode with the player above, or keep reading for the highlights and takeaway points.

[01:15] Do You Need to Do Research for Medical School?

Many students go into research with the assumption that they need to publish research in order to get into medical school. They think they need to get into a journal to prove that they’ve done research. And that’s just not the case.

It’s hard to start a research project and get the data published in a journal. You actually have to write it, submit it, and have it accepted for publication. This is not necessary to prove that you’ve done research as a premed. You just need to get involved to see if you like it. Go to a primary investigator in a research study. Go to your school or the hospital.

[02:27] The Goal of Research for Premeds

A lot of students don’t realize that research doesn’t have to be what most of them picture it to be. When a lot of premeds think of research, you think of wearing a white coat in a lab with pipettes. That doesn’t have to be the type of research you do as a premed.

You can do clinical research and be around patients. You can do research outside of medicine, and it’s still considered research.

The goal of doing research as a premed is so you know what it’s like to think critically through a hypothesis or how to think critically when looking at data.

You can get valuable research experience in a clinical setting or in a bench or wet lab setting. It can come working with rats or pigs or any animal model. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you need a very specific kind of research for your medical school application.

[03:58] Your Research Doesn’t Have to Be Medical

One student I worked with this year is a former geology teacher at a university. So she had a lot of geology research experience. And that’s research! You’re forming a hypothesis and then creating a set of tests around that hypothesis to test that hypothesis. You’re gathering data and you’re analyzing it to see what the results are. So your research doesn’t have to be medical.

If you don’t like research, that is okay, too. You don’t have to get to an end point of actually publishing something to prove that you’ve done research.

[Related episode: Do I Really Need to Do Research as a Nontrad Premed? ]

[04:40] Research Is Not the Most Important Part of Your Medical School Application

As you’re thinking about what you need to accomplish as far as extracurriculars , you need to line up things in order of importance. Grades and MCAT score are important. Those always come first.

Outside of that, you need to look at clinical experience where you’re actually around patients. You also need to look at shadowing. You need to prove to the admissions committee that you understand what medicine is like.

Leadership experience and non-clinical volunteering—these are great “cherry on top” things.

If you have time and you want to try research, try it. If you don’t like it and it’s not something you’re passionate about doing all the time, that’s okay. Just try it and see what it’s like if you can. But don’t prioritize it above grades, MCAT scores, and those other things. Research is not more important than clinical experience.

Links and Other Resources

• Check out my Premed Playbook series of books (available on Amazon) , with installments on the personal statement , the medical school interview , and the MCAT .
• Related episode: Is This Research Opportunity Worth It in the Long Run?
• Related episode: Do You Need an MD/PhD to Do Research as a Physician?
• Need MCAT Prep?  Save on tutoring, classes, and full-length practice tests by using promo code “MSHQ” for 10% off Next Step full-length practice tests or “MSHQTOC” for $50 off MCAT tutoring or the Next Step MCAT Course at  Blueprint MCAT (formerly Next Step Test Prep) !

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What Counts As Research Experience For Medical School? (Explained)

Understanding what counts as research experience for a medical school application is something that confuses a lot of pre-meds.

With many different programs and types of experiences available, it’s also tough to know which to prioritize.

What counts as research experience for medical school?

Science and non-science projects, lab-based or not, can count as research experience. Anything where you analyze data (and do so in a way that develops your critical thinking and communication skills), counts. It doesn’t have to be specific to medicine.

And if that still sounds a little unclear, that’s because it is. What counts as research experience is broad!

We’ll get into this further in this article.

Here’s what else we’ll cover:

• If undergraduate research or published research counts
• Why non-science research is fine
• If you have to work with a professor/research expert

As a med student with an interest in research myself, I’ve had a lot of these same questions. Hopefully, I can help clarify what you really need to think about.

Ready to get started? Let’s go.

What does research experience need in order to “count”?

As mentioned before, research experience can be clinical or non-clinical. For it to really count it needs to be well considered. That means something that requires your active involvement.

Next to your involvement, here’s what else I feel research experience has to have in order to really count on a med school app:

• Relevance to your interests or undergrad studies
• A clear display of invested time and effort
• Something professional looking that’s structured and/or has an outcome

That last point can be a little unclear so let me expand.

The research project should have a dedicated focus. It shouldn’t just be a thin exploration of multiple disciplines and topics. It should be purposeful in some way.

Any research experience that meets those criteria, regardless of how you (or other people) feel about it – it being objectively “good” or “bad” etc. – would definitely count.

Of course, the more passionate or interested in it you are, often the “better quality” the research.

But you’ll also be better placed to talk about it in any interviews too.

Does non-science research count?

Yes. Non-science research can definitely count.

Take, for example, an economics or math major who does research into the macroeconomics of marginal or underrepresented communities in certain areas of their state. That’s not technically science, but it still would definitely count.

The same is true for an English major interested in the use of language among inner-city teens. If they did research in that field and helped uncover or explore some meaningful social statistics, then that would be a good example too.

But the research doesn’t always have to have an outcome . It can still count if you show it’s something relevant to you and your academic or career goals.

The same goes for non-science letters of recommendation. These are just applicable too.

The important thing is they show the dedication of your character and the intent to explore and think critically.

Does undergraduate research count?

Undergraduate research can count but oftentimes fails to match the criteria above due to all the other pressures of college.

Independent research experience can border on the loose and undefined. That’s why it’s a good idea to attempt to attach yourself to faculty-based research if you can or a structured summer program (I cover the types of things available here).

Either way, starting to gain research experience at the undergrad level is a good idea. You may start off minimally involved but your responsibilities can grow over time.

The best counting research experiences are ones that are extensive and deep .

You get more time to explore those types of things starting out during undergrad.

Does unpublished research count?

Yes. Specifically, if it helps demonstrate the types of things we’ve already talked about.

Not getting publications shouldn’t concern you too much as long as you can show good general involvement in a research project.

Letters of recommendation from research leads or staff are one way of making up for that. But so is a well-written secondary essay that demonstrates the impact of those experiences on your own personal intentions and philosophies for applying for medicine.

But it should be said that publications can definitely count for the top-tier medical schools that are research-heavy .

Getting into Harvard Medical School, at least anecdotally, seems easier with research publications.

Related : How Hard Is It To Get Into Harvard Medical School? (Explained!)

Do you have to work in a professor’s lab?

No, but doing so could mean scoring a more impressive letter of recommendation.

As already discussed; relevant research experience (the type that counts for med school) can be done in a wide range of environments, under a variety of teams or institutions.

Sure, a lab can help you look more “clinically relevant” (that’s why it’s suggested to try to volunteer in one here; No Research Experience For Medical School? (7 Things To Do) , but it’s by no means necessary.

What’s important is that the experience shows you have solid written and oral communication skills.

That’s why med schools mainly consider it important.

What counts as research experience for medical school: Reddit’s opinion

The r/premed community is always a good place to go to get a better grip on these types of concerns.

Here are some of the best comments curated from there in terms of what counts as research…

Research papers for class usually don’t count

Research doesn’t have to be published to count, but research papers you did for a class usually don’t usually count. Usually research is about creating new knowledge by doing something like conducting an experiment or reviewing data or something else along those lines. A review paper is a little different, but those are usually meant for the purposes of publication. – bobsaysblah

Research for credit vs Research for passion

I think research for credit and an actual course might be considered differently, I’m not sure when it gets into such details! I’d count completely independent research as research and anything with a syllabus, even if mostly independent, I would probably consider true coursework but that’s just my take. You can always clarify with AAMC! – 326gorl

This is always the best advice if in doubt about your research counting: clarify with the AAMC .

Why undergraduate research experiences are questionable

Establish a collaboration with an expert in the field since it is not really valuable for an undergrad to be the sole author of a narrative review in medicine. – eskimolimon

On questioning the value of your research

Research is totally the long game in terms of impact. It is rare to discover a monumental, paradigm-shifting result. However, take it as an opportunity to train and get better while contributing to someone else’s work. That puts your one step closer to make a great contribution in science/medicine. – _scrumpy

An important point. Don’t get hung up on thinking your research only counts if it leads to some big breakthrough. Most projects lead to only incremental gains in knowledge.

Final Thoughts

Although you don’t need to have research experience to stand a chance of getting into med school (check out; How Many Hours Of Research For Medical School Is Best? (Explained) ), it definitely does help.

But knowing what does and doesn’t count is almost just as important.

What counts is anything that involves data analysis, critical thinking, and a dedicated focus.

What doesn’t count is anything loose, unstructured, and with no proof of you developing written or oral communication skills.

Hopefully, this article has helped establish that.

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Born and raised in the UK, Will went into medicine late (31) after a career in journalism. He’s into football (soccer), learned Spanish after 5 years in Spain, and has had his work published all over the web. Read more .

What admission officers wish premeds knew before applying

New section.

What exactly do medical schools look for in applications? We asked three admission officers what they want applicants to know before applying to medical school.

It’s common to wonder what medical schools are looking for in an application and how you can make sure you’re prepared when you apply and interview. To help answer these questions, we asked three admission officers what they want applicants to know before applying so they can be successful. Their answers include being able to tell your story, having clinical experience, and making sure your goals are aligned with the school’s mission statement. Here’s what they shared.

“At the core of any patient encounter, there is a story. As physicians, we are primed to listen to stories, so a good story is key when a physician reads a medical school application or evaluates answers during the interview. Most medical school applicants have enough volunteer, work, shadowing, and research experiences to fill every space in their AMCAS application and prompt in their secondary applications. However, while many are very good at accumulating experiences, they are sometimes not so good at putting these experiences in context or effectively communicating them to interviewers and application reviewers. The applicant should be able to put all his or her experiences in the context of why they want to be a physician and describe their journey. Novelists, English professors, and screen writers call this this the ‘arc of the story.’ For example, the arc could be that a topic in class led to a research opportunity that led to a showing experience that then led to working with a group that is involved in that issue. This is different than the applicant that has a dozen unrelated experiences and is unable to connect them. In short, the applicant should be able to tell a good story that makes sense and engages the interviewer or reviewer rather than give a checklist of research, shadowing, and volunteering. Most applicants will not have a perfect story where everything falls into place, but that is OK. The most interesting stories have lots of twist and turns.”

-David D. Grier, MD , Associate Dean for Student Admissions, Wake Forest School of Medicine

“The professional opportunities for physicians are quite wide, and include options in research, administration, and industry. However, if you are considering applying to medical school, you should know that the curriculum prepares you to be a competent clinician. With that in mind, schools want you to bring some experience in the world of patient care. Your ability to speak first-hand of the impact of clinical volunteer work on your future career plans is a compelling aspect of the selection and admissions process. I feel that it makes sense to postpone applications until you have accumulated at least one year of clinical experiences.”

- Jorge A. Girotti, PhD, MHA, Associate Dean for Admissions and Special Curricular Programs,  University of Illinois College of Medicine

“It is very important for medical school applicants to do their research before applying. Exploring a medical school’s mission statement is a great way to determine if your goals are in alignment. If a medical school’s mission is to serve disadvantaged populations, your application should show similar evidence of your interests. Your application should highlight the goals of the school and how your experiences will contribute to the overall mission.

By reviewing your application, an admissions committee should be able to identify your motivation for medicine as well as your motivation for applying to their medical school. One of the best ways an applicant can demonstrate fit is how you respond to secondary application questions. These critical mini-essays typically ask applicants how they identify with a school’s mission and how much an applicant understands the field of medicine. For example, a secondary question may ask what about your experience with caring for others. You can demonstrate caring in multiple ways: caring for a loved one, shadowing, working in hospice, or other experiences that allowed you to observe patient care whether it is formal or informal.

Another way to understand fit is to understand a medical school’s admissions criteria. If a medical school suggests applicants should have research experience, then applicants should show substantial evidence of working in a lab or research publications. Each medical school has their own unique admissions requirements that are tailored to their specific missions. Applicants should be diligent about examining this information before submitting an application.”

-Tanisha Price-Johnson, Executive Director, Admissions, University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson

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Why do med schools care if you’ve done research?

This might be a dumb question downvote me to hell if it is, but I genuinely don’t understand this. Yes I understand that medicine is a constantly evolving field, at the pinnacle of scientific developments etc but I feel like even most physicians aren’t spending a bunch of time in the lab? I could be wrong but I’m under the impression that when you’re a physician you don’t have to do research if you don’t want to. Partially I’m asking this because I have some pretty big non science based research projects I wrote two theses in undergrad for my modern history degree one for the early modern period and another for the late modern period - one of which is even tangentially related to medicine but I feel like schools won’t give a shit unless I have a p value to stick on it, even if my work was just as if not more academically rigorous and demonstrates greater ability to conduct independent research than helping a PhD student look at cultures or something. Thanks for coming to my Ted talk I eagerly await being told why I’m wrong.