Advice Appreciated

[Krebb15]

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Hello everyone,

I am currently an MS III interested in applying to coordinated/integrated plastics programs next year. I am Junior AOA, 270 boards, with good evals but absolutely no research as of yet.

My question is this: In planning my fourth year schedule, am I better off (1) doing away rotations at various programs and trying to make an impression on house staff there or (2) should I spend 2-3 months getting involved with a research project, despite the fact that I won't be able to get much accomplished in such a short time (although it will give me something to talk about in interviews). I ask this because doing an away rotation at a program with only one or two available positions seems analogous to "putting all my eggs in one basket" and neglecting other important parts of the application.

I would appreciate any input / advice that you all can give me!

 

[Harrie]

You should do both. Go do an away rotation early and get involved in a clinical project. You should start the project before ERAS is due, because a void in that category will hurt you.

 

[mcindoe]

If you can't do both, I would suggest you make #2 the priority. You could do some meaningful research in a few months, and more importantly, this will give you the opportunity to get to know a faculty member well and get a good letter of rec out of it.

Don't do an away rotation unless you have a particular interest in that program or at least a specific reason for doing so. I've been asked by several people why I did an elective at ___ Univ, and hopefully you'll have a better answer than "I wanted to make a good impression on the house staff".

With your board scores, however, I'm afraid you probably won't make the cut.

 

[Ergo]

At this stage in third year, its a bit late for research to yield a publication. Better to focus on getting good grades.



come on.

 

[doc05]

the research won't yield a publication, but it may yield 1-2 abstracts.

 

[jdubya]

Having research is a yes/no part of your application. so get some.
having a publication is also a yes/no part of your application. so get one.
Best way to go about this: do a case report, maybe two. You can get this done in less than a week if you work hard, get it shipped off and ready to go. If you send it in within a month or two from now, you'll know if it is going to be published before you send in your application and you can check YES in that box of the application.
As for away rotations, these people who suggest you don't do them are sissies in my opinion. Go there, kick butt, and don't look back. That is the surgery ethos and these people who don't have the guts to go somewhere and see if they have what it takes to be a resident there are soft.
Pick two levels of programs or perhaps three if you have time. If you have two months, do one one month rotation and 2 2 week rotations. Do the month at a stretch program that is going to need more info and have more attendings you'll need to impress. Do the other rotations at schools you have an interest in but want to learn more about. You can go to a midlevel program with your resume and impress the hell out of them. Because you have good numbers lower or midlevel reputation programs may think twice about how serious you are about their program. Go show them you are sincere and I think you'll find that many such programs offer a much better operative experience. Look how well the midlevel program residents operate and compare it to the fancy program. decide which is more your style.
If you add a publication, you will have a very impressive application. Impressive applications don't mean as much if you don't have the guts to suck it up for the next 12 months and give everything you can give to this pursuit.
Good luck