Is research really a short cut

[szy]

Well I guess the title really says it all.

I'm an undergrad at the moment, just scored research position for next semester with a prof.

Like a lot of other kids I've seen a lot written about 'doing research as an undergrad' in order to have a better chance of getting in to good Masters/phd programs.

Let me put it this way, is research really considered a 'game changer' as far as masters/Phd programs applications are concerned? I guess it's kinda hard for me think that a kid who, say had a 3.3 GPA and research (of course, in something that's related to your field) will be preferred over someone who had 3.7 and no research.

I know the above scenario is a bit of an exaggeration, but does it hold true ?

[jspring86]

I guess I can't speak to engineering in particular, but I can tell you that in mathematics a candidate with a 3.3 GPA with several research experiences or publications is much preferred over someone with even a 4.0 GPA.

PhD programs especially want to know that you like to do research. They're usually giving you some sort of funding to come to their school, they don't want you to get there and decide you don't like research and leave the program, they've invested a lot in you by that point. Candidates who have research experience and succeeded in finishing a research project show they have the ability to do more than just classwork, which is what getting a PhD is all about.

Edited March 1, 2012 by jspring86

[OH YEAH]

You seem to misunderstand... it isn't that you would have a "better chance" to get into a good PhD program, it's that you would have a chance at all. I would totally put my money on 3.3 and research over 3.7 and no research. But then again, if we are talking about "good" PhD programs, it is likely that the person with a 3.7 and research will get selected...

[ghanada]

You seem to misunderstand... it isn't that you would have a "better chance" to get into a good PhD program, it's that you would have a chance at all. I would totally put my money on 3.3 and research over 3.7 and no research. But then again, if we are talking about "good" PhD programs, it is likely that the person with a 3.7 and research will get selected...

I completely agree with this. If you have any desire to get into a top grad program, research is key. GPA just shows that you can work hard to do well in classes, but has no bearing on what type of researcher you will be. I have seen or heard of MANY 4.0 gpa candidates (from top schools) get rejected from grad programs if they lacked research. Keep in mind, that doing research isn't just a single checklist item on your resume. If you are good at research, you should be able to publish, get good letters of recs from your advisers, and then make good networking connections through them. Having research really adds another dimensionality to your overall app.

As a personal example, I had a 2.6 gpa in undergrad, but did about 5 years of research with over a dozen publications. I am now finishing a Masters at a top 10 BME school and have been accepted to the PhD here as well. So yeah, research can do AMAZING things in overcoming weakness in gpa.

[szy]

more reasons to research then i guess

[Eigen]

From what I hear, a lot of departments at my school aren't interested in taking someone with no research experience. Our department wants people to be able to mostly step into a lab and get started.

As mentioned, it's not just about saying you have it, but being able to discuss it in detail in your SoP, and in your interviews, and to have your LoRs discuss your aptitude in the lab.

[ktel]

I think in engineering the amount of research they want to see before admitting you is a little less than some of the really competitive programs, but they still want to see something. At least in Canada it would be pretty hard to get through your degree without doing some sort of major design project that would be somewhat research-y. I also get the impressions that less is expected as far as publications go, because it can often take a really long time to get something published (case in point I'm still waiting on a publication for a project I was working on over a year and a half ago)