Advice for MS-1 Research

[nima123]

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I'm an MS-1 and thinking about doing research this summer to be more competitve for a match later on. I think it's fair to say that I'm not very likely to go into any of the medical specialties. I am potentially interested in radiology, anesthesiology, or surgery and that's all I know at this point.

I think there's a spot in a radiology research program for me (I've talked to the advisor) but I'm hesitating about applying for it. What if I decide to go into a surgical program or gas?

[I don't want to get stuck in a field and regret it or waste precious summer time doing something useless]

Any advice as to what I should do at this point would be very much appreciated. 🙂

 

[nima123]

I'm an MS-1 and thinking about doing research this summer to be more competitve for a match later on. I think it's fair to say that I'm not very likely to go into any of the medical specialties. I am potentially interested in radiology, anesthesiology, or surgery and that's all I know at this point.

I think there's a spot in a radiology research program for me (I've talked to the advisor) but I'm hesitating about applying for it. What if I decide to go into a surgical program or gas?

[I don't want to get stuck in a field and regret it or waste precious summer time doing something useless]

Any advice as to what I should do at this point would be very much appreciated. 🙂

yeah, i know this topic is kinda boring but i need some help here please?

 

[PeepshowJohnny]

This would be better placed in the Allopathic forum.

Anyway, I think the rule is
Some research > None
Research in the field you're applying for > Research in other fields
High Step 1 and good clinical grades > Research.

Generally.

So, as for the first, it's not going to hold it against you if you do Radiology research and you end up being a general surgeon. Just say "I was inexperienced, I changed my mind" It DOES show you're hard working and dedicated, so that's a positive.

Now, some people like to show research IN their field because it shows you have a prolonged interest and you're not just applying it because SDN told you it makes a lot of money. However, that's just not feasible for some students. If ENT at your home institution(s) doesn't have use for a student's help on research, it's going to be hard for you to do ENT research.

Finally, research is great, but if I had to pick between great research and great clinical experience and board scores, I'd always go with the latter. Research is a icing on the cake, not the cake itself. So if you get to third year and your research experience isn't all it's cracked up to be, as long as you can keep your head above water academically, you're doing okay.

Of course, their are exceptions to any rule. I can't guarantee some anesthesiology PD isn't going to rake you over the coals because your research is in other areas. And an article in a major journal can do things for you a mega high boards score can't, but these are generalities.

 

[Blade28]

In general, unless you're applying for a super-competitive residency, med school research is all the same - it beefs up your app, but what you're doing specifically isn't as important. Now of course it helps to make contacts, so if you're doing Rads research you might meet some big-name attendings - and that will help later if you're applying to Rads.