Ok...I know this seems like a long way off (and most of us are still freaking out about acceptances), but is anyone else worrying about choosing a specialty? Many of the competitive specialties require/strongly suggest research, and the sooner we get started, the better. Also, I am in contact with the research coordinator for one of the schools I am considering, and she wanted me to email her my specialty interest so she could start trying to find me a mentor. AHHH!
If you have NEVER taken a medical school course, it is FAR TOO EARLY to even consider a specialty. Most medical students, myself included, changed our choice of specialty after or during third year when exposed to clinical clerkships.
You have NO idea of how you will perform in medical school (read medical school GPA/rank) or on USMLE Step I which will be the major determinants (as opposed to any research in or out of medical school) in the residency or your competitiveness for said specialty. In my medical class, the two people who matched into Derm (the most competitive specialty) did not do any medical school research. One was a fellow AOA (Alpha Omega Alpha) inductee and the other did well on USMLE in addition to solid coursework. My two Derm resident buddies did NOT do any research in medical school but were both AOA and had very high USMLE Step I scores i.e. they were competitive residency applicants.
Many students have "put the cart before the horse" and found that they were not competitive enough for specialties such as derm, orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery because they forgot about doing well in their coursework. Other students have worked solidly and consistantly and gotten into the speciality of their choice without any research.
You have plenty of time (summer between first and second year, elective and vacation months) to do research. Medical school mentors know this and keep projects around for medical students. If you don't have the grades, you are going to need all of your time to get them. Many super achievers have rolled into medical school only to find that it's harder than they originally believed.
What to worry about now? Choosing the medical school where you can perform best in your coursework because you are most comfortable there. Finding a place to live that is affordable and within an easy commute to medical school. Making sure your Financial Aid is ready and waiting (or your bills are paid) when you arrive on Day 1 of orientation. How to pack as much "life" as possible into the last truly free summer that you will have.
People who NEED research for residency i.e. to match into any residency: People who are applying to Physician-Scientist residency positions (will already have their research). People who didn't do well in their coursework/boards and are hoping to make-up for their poor performance.
