Advice

[Reaganite]

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Hey guys,

I recently decided that I will apply for radiation oncology residency. I have been reading this site, and I noticed that everyone here advocates getting involved with research. I spoke with the program director of my school's radiation oncology department about getting involved with research. He told me that they do not take on students for research since they have been burned too many times in the past. I am a strong applicant numbers-wise (260+ Step 1, 99th percentile NBMEs, mostly honors 3rd year), and I think I could have a shot at a really good program if I could get some quality research done. Do you guys have any advice?

 

[cdql]

Really? That's odd. I would think most program directors would be happy that students are showing interest in their field and want to do research in it. (Although I guess radonc is so competitive that there must be thousands of requests from students)

Is there another med school in your area where you could speak with the PD about research?

Or maybe you could go back to your own PD and ask for the names of any friends/colleagues/past co-workers he may know who are currently doing radonc research?

 

[ronmexico]

Hey guys,

I recently decided that I will apply for radiation oncology residency. I have been reading this site, and I noticed that everyone here advocates getting involved with research. I spoke with the program director of my school's radiation oncology department about getting involved with research. He told me that they do not take on students for research since they have been burned too many times in the past. I am a strong applicant numbers-wise (260+ Step 1, 99th percentile NBMEs, mostly honors 3rd year), and I think I could have a shot at a really good program if I could get some quality research done. Do you guys have any advice?

assuming you can not convince this person to let you do a chart review project, you can line up away rotations that are solely research. you could line up just one month somewhere just to get a project or two done.

 

[Zap]

Talk to the residents at your school and ask them if any of the other attendings (besides the PD) are doing good research and/or have worked with med students in the past. Then just approach those attendings directly. You may find some faculty members are willing to work with med students, and you shouldn't need the PDs blessing to work on a research project with somebody else. Tread carefully, though, since you don't want to piss off the PD.

 

[Reaganite]

Tread carefully, though, since you don't want to piss off the PD.

I should have included this. Yes, this is a major concern of mine. I'd hate to screw up my chances at my home program. Thanks for the great advice so far.

 

[Gfunk6]

. He told me that they do not take on students for research since they have been burned too many times in the past.

As an aside, this is very disturbing to me. Not only is it a vindictive gesture against a student who is interested in the field, but it totally goes against the purpose of research -- which is to generate data to (hopefully) improve patient care. Whether or not you decide to stay home for RadOnc makes no difference to your results. The research would be good for both you and your mentor, not to mention the field. Okay, enough of that, rant off.

Do you guys have any advice?

I agree that a research rotation @ a "big-name" program will help you. I would suggest looking for a chart review or dosimetric study. It would be prudent to emphasize to the faculty you are working with how eager you are to publish (this is very important). Personally, I would tread lightly re: your home institution. Your PD seems to have made it clear that your help in research is not wanted -- it is better to placate him and do research elsewhere.