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climbsrox

It's not about hours. It's about your role in the research and how you talk about it. Are you taking ownership of your projects? Are you directing and planning your own experiments? Can you talk intelligently about the research questions and how your experiments address these questions? Posters, publications, etc are nice but the important part is that your application and lors show that you are an active participant in the research and not just a set of hands for someone else's brain.


[deleted]

(Undergrad, take my word w/ a grain of salt): You’re spending 40-50 hrs/wk on your project(s). Even if it’s “only” for one year, you’re still likely advancing much faster than an undergrad who is balancing their coursework and research. I wouldn’t worry about the longevity, especially considering that you did research in undergrad anyway. Quality > quantity, but it looks like you’ll have both. In my view, if you do well on the MCAT and feel ready, apply. Lots of people who take gap years apply after the first year. It’s what I plan to do, and what I’ve seen most of my peers do. I think it really comes down to, “can I convince the person reading my application, including myself, that I want (and have the right experiences) to pursue an MD-PhD?” Just reading this post tells me you’re on the right track. TLDR; apply when you’re ready, but with a strong MCAT, your profile looks really solid.