[MartinMorrison]

Hello,

I was just wondering if anyone has experience with applying for postgraduate courses in the UK after already having done research during undergrad ie having papers published (doesn't have to be a first author kinda thing, I'm talking about having your name on any publication in any scientific journal).

I'm asking this because I've decided to focus on this to enhance my chances at getting into my top postgraduate choices (Oxbridge and some places in the US). I think it helps significantly with separating yourself from other applicants. Does anyone share this opinion or have more information on how favourably it is looked on? I'm favouring research opportunities over technical internships during holidays for this reason.

So far I've managed to get 2nd author on a paper that will hopefully be accepted into a journal strongly related to intended masters course. I hope to use this experience to apply for a summer research project in the UK for next summer. I'm a bit paranoid about university applications after I was recently rejected from a university for a pretty absurd reason. If anyone has any experiences with research and its weighting on admission, I'd really appreciate it.

[Inglenook]

Hi!

I've just finished (woo) an undergraduate masters degree and a big part of this was an independent research project. I think that this was pretty important in getting my offers for PhD study because it helped to illustrate that I have an idea of what I'm getting into and some evidence that I can work independently etc etc. I can't speak for publications (since I'm not published) but it can only look good, surely. A few of my friends are spending the summer working their research projects into papers (though they mostly already hold offers at this point).

Work experience relating to research is also probably a good idea.

However, don't forget to focus on your degree and get as good a grade as you can, since at the end of the day this is probably going to be what they'll look at most. Can't speak for actual weightings though (and I have no experience of the U.S. system).

Of course, it will also depend on your subject!

Hope this is in some way helpful.