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Research

Is Research Required?
Many prehealth students, especially premeds, ask the question, “Do I need to do research to be a competitive applicant?” 

  • If you want to have a career in medical research, you absolutely, positively should do some research, and get letters of recommendation from your research supervisors. 
  • If you want to be a practitioner, a healer, a clinician, and have no desire to do research, then research is not necessary.

However, if you can fit some research experience into your schedule, it is an extremely good idea, especially if you would like to get into an MD program in the United States.

  • More and more applicants to medical school report some sort of research experience
  • Research experience can help you highlight your formidable intellectual skills
  • Research--if you like it--might help make you a more interesting applicant
  • Perhaps you would be able to get a very good letter of recommendation from your research supervisor

Research Resources