Advice for summer after first year

[DragonWell]

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Anybody have any thoughts on the best use of the summer after M1?

Should I do some review/prep for Step 1, try to find some research/clinical opportunities, just relax?

I'd like to do something a little more productive than drinking...at least for part of the time 😀 .

 

[TexPre-Med]

What specialty are you interested in?

 

[DragonWell]

What specialty are you interested in?

I wish I knew...Right now I am thinking IM, maybe cards or endo, but I'd like to be prepared in case I change my mind during rotations and decide to try for gen surg or something like that. My undergrad didn't really offer many research opportunities, so I am a bit worried I may be a step behind already...

Any thoughts are much appreciated.

 

[Law2Doc]

Anybody have any thoughts on the best use of the summer after M1?

Should I do some review/prep for Step 1, try to find some research/clinical opportunities, just relax?

I'd like to do something a little more productive than drinking...at least for part of the time 😀 .

Too early to do any serious review/prep for Step 1. Research is what many people do, especially if you haven't squeezed any in during the year and can find a paying gig. But you are certainly allowed to use that "last free summer" any way you see fit, even if it's not productively.

 

[drmistga]

Overwhelmingly PD's in various fields have told me that one summer of research, published or not is useless. If you get published they know it was because you got into someone elses project. Unless you are continuing research from undergrad, first year or will continue it into second year-dont bother. Especially if your thinking IM-its easy to get into compared to others. Now if you are doing derm, rads, etc etc you will need more than one summer research-so either way if you are just looking at the summer and plan to not pursue next year or third year-dont bother and enjoy the summer. I chilled and traveled-loved it

 

[vtucci]

There are a number of two week clinical experiences around the country in underserved areas (like Indian reservation). You could do that or a medical mission.

I did research and have submitted an article for publication. It is a long process. I disagree with a previous post. It is possible to do meaningful research in a summer, just not meaningful bench research. You can do case reports, case series, lit review, meta-analysis etc. RCT will be tough unless it is set up (because of IRBs).

Step I review- way too early. Almost at the end of my second year, I can tell you that I would not remember a thing I looked at in July. Second year is very information intensive.

 

[Pinkertinkle]

There are a number of two week clinical experiences around the country in underserved areas (like Indian reservation). You could do that or a medical mission.

I did research and have submitted an article for publication. It is a long process. I disagree with a previous post. It is possible to do meaningful research in a summer, just not meaningful bench research. You can do case reports, case series, lit review, meta-analysis etc. RCT will be tough unless it is set up (because of IRBs).

Step I review- way too early. Almost at the end of my second year, I can tell you that I would not remember a thing I looked at in July. Second year is very information intensive.

I'd like to add to this that it's not impossible to do some good bench research in one summer. I know someone who did couple months of bench over their first summer and has a first author accepted to a journal with a pretty good impact factor. If someone thinks a first author is useless I would disagree. You do have to have some previous research experience and some luck to accomplish that though, no way you can learn your techniques and do an actual experiment if you're a total newbie.

As for travelling it may be good for you as a person but it won't help your application. Even if you're not interested in a competitive specialty, you may become so later so leave all your options open by working hard. Blow off a summer doing nothing and you'll regret it come match.

 

[bjackrian]

I worked as a camp director at a summer camp for homeless kids. I'm planning on going into peds, so there's some faint tie-in, but mostly, it was something I wanted to do and it was something that paid pretty good money, both of which were important to me. I don't feel I'm at some huge disadvantage by not spending the summer "productively" doing research or other strictly medical things.

 

[PHDMD2B]

I'd like to add to this that it's not impossible to do some good bench research in one summer. I know someone who did couple months of bench over their first summer and has a first author accepted to a journal with a pretty good impact factor.

But what you've described here is EXTREMELY rare. The only way this happens like you said is if you have a lot of previous experience, are already knowledgable in the field, and you have more luck that all the lottery winners in the world. Your friend probably got in a lab which had a small piece of a larger project they needed done. Also rotating in a huge lab doesn't hurt, one with a ton of techs and post-docs. I'm not saying it can't happen, just don't bank on it.

Greg

 

[vtucci]

We did not have even two full months at my school so it would be really tricky to pull off meaningful bench research during that time. It also helps if you are aware (or have worked in) an established lab on campus. I agree that for most people, this is not an option.

First author publication is first author publication regardless of whether it is clinical or bench. Clinical is easier to do in the alloted time frame. That being said, if you are willing to put in the time in a lab, you might get a few publications on the back-end (you may not be listed as first author though).

 

[Pinkertinkle]

First author publication is first author publication regardless of whether it is clinical or bench. Clinical is easier to do in the alloted time frame. That being said, if you are willing to put in the time in a lab, you might get a few publications on the back-end (you may not be listed as first author though).

I can assure you that a first author in a basic science journal is worth significantly more than a first author on a case report or a chart review. This is of course appropriate as the latter is much easier than the former. It's a matter of risk and reward, going for the basic is much riskier but also much more rewarding should you succeed.

 

[vtucci]

Not true- it depends on what field you are interested in.

It also depends on the type of bench research and how transferable it is to practice. There are some fields of medicine much more interested in clinical research than whether you can isolate the 56th amino acid on the third chromosome of.....

Also, has anyone published a chart review? Maybe it's the fields I am interested in but I have never seen any publications from chart reviews. Case reports, sure. Case series, lit reviews, meta-analysis and the gold standard, RCT.

 

[Pinkertinkle]

Not true- it depends on what field you are interested in.

It also depends on the type of bench research and how transferable it is to practice. There are some fields of medicine much more interested in clinical research than whether you can isolate the 56th amino acid on the third chromosome of.....

Also, has anyone published a chart review? Maybe it's the fields I am interested in but I have never seen any publications from chart reviews. Case reports, sure. Case series, lit reviews, meta-analysis and the gold standard, RCT.

I'm sure there are some cases where clinical research is nice, but most clinical research that medical students do is just a lot of number crunching. If you're wanting derm, rads, rad onc, or the other highly competitive specialties, basic research in that field will get you farther than clinical.

 

[Pianoboe01]

I posted this elsewhere, but it fits here as well. This is what I did between M1 and M2:

I highly recommend the POE program at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. It's part research and part clinical. Medical students work on a clinical research project as well as see patients with their mentor in the clinics/floors/surgery. There is also the "Lunch and Learn" series where you get free lunch every day and listen to a talk geared towards students. A great educational experience! Application deadline is Feb 1 however! https://www.stjude.org/poe

I worked in pediatric neurosurgery, completed a clinical research project that will probably not be published, but I did get the opportunity to present at a national meeting. Again, I highly recommend the program at St. Jude!!!!

 

[DragonWell]

Thanks for the suggestions, everybody. This gives me something to chew on...

 

[UVAdoc]

Does anyone have an opinion about international clinical opportunities? Specifically, my school set up a trip to Ethiopia where you get to rotate some at a hospital there and do diabetes research. The only thing is that it's only 3 weeks long. I'd like to gun for anesthesiology but maybe even radiology.

Would it be better for my match chances to try and set up some research at one of the med schools in my area (San Fran) vs. going to Africa? Lemme know what u think.

 

[Sophie]

I'm sure there are some cases where clinical research is nice, but most clinical research that medical students do is just a lot of number crunching. If you're wanting derm, rads, rad onc, or the other highly competitive specialties, basic research in that field will get you farther than clinical.

I disagree. I had heard that said before (by people on SDN), so when I met with my school's derm residency director to talk about summer research I asked him whether it was true. He said that they have equal weight, and what really matters is the significance of your involvement and your placement on publications. The Dean of Student Affairs recently gave my whole class a talk on planning our summer breaks, and when asked, he also stated that they have equal weight.

Obviously these are just two peoples' opinions, but I consider them relatively informed people. Especially the derm residency director - he has studied the match statistics for dermatology, and is thinking about publishing an article discussing the most important factors for matching.

 

[neoncandle]

Even the orthopod program here says to do something you'll really like between MS1 and MS2 year - something with your personality. Helping poor kids in another country is always a standout thing - but not so stand out you should do it unless you want to. A kid in our class went to Surf camp in Costa Rica for the summer and had a great time, and will have interesting stories to tell about it come interview time. I did research - and got published - since I had to stay in town. Definitely only do research if you can get the project done, it is something you are interested in, and plan to take it all the way to print.

 

[Tired]

Also, has anyone published a chart review? Maybe it's the fields I am interested in but I have never seen any publications from chart reviews. Case reports, sure. Case series, lit reviews, meta-analysis and the gold standard, RCT.

Actually, I have a first-author chart review published. Was it in a big, important journal? Of course not. But there are a lot of chart reviews out there. Basically any "retrospective" study is a chart review, although it may also incorporate some real-time followup.

My feeling is that once you get into the "published" category, you're doing pretty good for yourself. Anything you can publish will immediately boost your chances for a competitive residency. This whole "clinical versus basic science" discussion strikes me as splitting hairs. Any pub is a good pub, and while a case report or chart review may not be as impressive as a double-blind RCT, it's still nothing to sneeze at.

 

[Kiroro]

Tagging on to OP question, I was thinking about visiting my parents over the entire summer becuase they live overseas and I haven't seen them in 2 years by this summer.

However, I also know that research is a pretty important thing to have for getting competetive residency/speciality. Although I'm still searching for what kind of doctor I wanna be, I certainly don't want to lose that chance b/c of not doing research over the 1st year summer...

What should I do??

 

[TexPre-Med]

Overwhelmingly PD's in various fields have told me that one summer of research, published or not is useless. If you get published they know it was because you got into someone elses project. Unless you are continuing research from undergrad, first year or will continue it into second year-dont bother. Especially if your thinking IM-its easy to get into compared to others. Now if you are doing derm, rads, etc etc you will need more than one summer research-so either way if you are just looking at the summer and plan to not pursue next year or third year-dont bother and enjoy the summer. I chilled and traveled-loved it

I completely disagree. ANY research will help you. Many residency programs HAVE to do research to keep accreditation, etc. Seeing that you have the slightest inklings in adding to their research bag of tricks is a plus.

Will a little research change a residency directors aspect towards you? No. Then again, nothing outside extra-ordinary will. Do something that helps you decide what field to go into. That will benefit you the most.

 

[lanzarlaluna]

Tagging on to OP question, I was thinking about visiting my parents over the entire summer becuase they live overseas and I haven't seen them in 2 years by this summer.

However, I also know that research is a pretty important thing to have for getting competetive residency/speciality. Although I'm still searching for what kind of doctor I wanna be, I certainly don't want to lose that chance b/c of not doing research over the 1st year summer...

What should I do??

Visit your parents. I've picked many brains about this, since I have a feeling I won't be wanting to do anything next summer. Life is too short to make substantial sacrifices like not seeing family. Maybe my priorities are just nutty, but that's how I feel about it. If you've got the Step I score and third year grades, you'll be fine anyway.

 

[etudiante04]

Does anyone have an opinion about international clinical opportunities? Specifically, my school set up a trip to Ethiopia where you get to rotate some at a hospital there and do diabetes research. The only thing is that it's only 3 weeks long. I'd like to gun for anesthesiology but maybe even radiology.

Would it be better for my match chances to try and set up some research at one of the med schools in my area (San Fran) vs. going to Africa? Lemme know what u think.

I'd like to hear more about this as well. Any international experiences?

 

[reviewer220]

I worked on the grounds crew for a small family-run golf course the summer after first year. It was so wonderful-- no thinking about tests, reading, etc. for the whole summer. It's so peaceful mowing greens early, doing other work until three or so, and then hitting the range and playing golf until dark. Relax for your last real summer! I did, and during none of my interviews did they ask me why I didn't do research during that summer. 🙂

 

[vtucci]

Actually, I have a first-author chart review published. Was it in a big, important journal? Of course not. But there are a lot of chart reviews out there. Basically any "retrospective" study is a chart review, although it may also incorporate some real-time followup.

My feeling is that once you get into the "published" category, you're doing pretty good for yourself. Anything you can publish will immediately boost your chances for a competitive residency. This whole "clinical versus basic science" discussion strikes me as splitting hairs. Any pub is a good pub, and while a case report or chart review may not be as impressive as a double-blind RCT, it's still nothing to sneeze at.

Hey Tired. I have just heard so many people throw around the phrase "chart review". We had reserved that for more of an inhouse review than something fit for publication but it appears that many people are using it interchangeably with retrospective cohorts.

My research mentors have told me in the past that 1 publication is considered impressive and 2 are damn fine. They also told me for the field I am interested in that clinical publications are generally better than basic science (but that depends on the scope and applicability of the basic science research) ones.

To the OP, do something that you can speak passionately about.

 

[Sean2tall]

I did nothing. And it was everything I hoped it could be.
Sorry, I know you were hoping for productive answers. 😀 Research certainly couldn't hurt, but I pretty much just relaxed.

 

[DragonWell]

I did nothing. And it was everything I hoped it could be.
Sorry, I know you were hoping for productive answers. 😀 Research certainly couldn't hurt, but I pretty much just relaxed.

Hehe. You guys are a bad influence. Good to know that I won't be labeled a slacker if I just chill. Unless something falls out of the sky, I don't see research happening. Hopefully, that won't hold me back too much in IM...

 

[da8s0859q]

I worked on the grounds crew for a small family-run golf course the summer after first year. It was so wonderful-- no thinking about tests, reading, etc. for the whole summer. It's so peaceful mowing greens early, doing other work until three or so, and then hitting the range and playing golf until dark. Relax for your last real summer! I did, and during none of my interviews did they ask me why I didn't do research during that summer. 🙂

👍 👍

 

[CruiseLover]

If someone does not do research between 1st and 2nd year, is there any other time during medical school to fit this in?

 

[Wizard of Oz]

If someone does not do research between 1st and 2nd year, is there any other time during medical school to fit this in?

Oh yeah--squeeze it in during M3/4 for sure. You'll get better opportunities then anyway.

 

[ENTis4me]

maybe you could do some underserved work. at my school, you get 4th year elective credit for it, so you basically get a month off in 4th year.

 

[LJDHC05]

Get a job...hippy 😉

If you're hard up for ideas, call the research director of your favorite specialty of the week at your affiliated teaching hospital and see what they need help on for the summer. Whatever you do, do something...

 

[EM_Rebuilder]

Blah on research...

Enjoy your last real free time.

I relaxed at home, went on a cruise, and spent 4 weeks in the motorhome in Colorado....

Wouldnt trade those experiences for any research.

 

[adoggie]

I think I'm inclined to do a summer of research at what would hopefully be a respectable institution ... which would likely increase my chances of getting published.

 

[da8s0859q]

Oh yeah--squeeze it in during M3/4 for sure. You'll get better opportunities then anyway.

Nothing to say to this, but I like your avatar.

And those of you that have the motivation to do research... you have fun with that. Research just isn't my friend 🙁

 

[Biscuit799]

I was a TA for the first year anatomy class over the summer (yes, my school starts with anatomy [only] in the summer). That was a really fun, rewarding experience, and really helped nail down anatomy for me.

 

[da8s0859q]

I was a TA for the first year anatomy class over the summer (yes, my school starts with anatomy [only] in the summer). That was a really fun, rewarding experience, and really helped nail down anatomy for me.

This, however, I wouldn't mind doing. 👍

 

[Biscuit799]

This, however, I wouldn't mind doing. 👍

It was really great. We studied really hard to be good teachers for about a week and half, then we just took it easy and went to the bar after class everyday for the other 8.5 weeks. And you spend so much time in the anatomy lab that you really get immersed in anatomy. It was actually the best thing I could've done to learn anatomy.