can research make up for red flags?

[yadaddypants]

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hey everyone,

i'm a new member to the forum and i'm currently applying for a residency in anesthesiology.

unfortunately i have a couple of red flags on my app--low step 1 and i had to remediate one course during second year. clinical rotations went really well and i improved A LOT on step 2. another plus for me is my research--i've got a couple of publications in pain, and potentially a couple of more on the way. i'm a hardworking, easy to get along with kind of guy--i know that's every anesthesia applicant, but just want to make it clear i'm not some nutjob. although i guess you have no way of really knowing...

my questions are:
1) how far will research go?
2) can anyone suggest good programs that look favorably at research, and would even take someone with a strong research background despite looking bad on paper (i.e. me).

thanks in advance for your help. and if this has already been answered somewhere else, please let me know where!

 

[RxBoy]

Whats a low step 1? <200 or >200? US MD?

 

[treasurefull2]

Low Step 1? Repeating one course? I'm not sure if those are exactly RED FLAGS... They may be disadvantages, depending on your scores and overall grades...

I don't know why my intuition says that your publications SHOULD help, but based on the most recent match data (I believe it was in the 2007 Match Outcomes PDF file), their statistics state that PUBLICATIONS, DO NOT make a difference in whether your match or not... If I remember correctly, having done research in general did help, but having a publication did not make a statistical difference...

 

[mstudent12345]

Listing the projects will help some. What will make the biggest difference is that if you have done research you should have a good relationship with different faculty members who can advocate on your behalf.

Have them make calls (in addition to writing letters) for you and tell programs how great you are, that will make a difference.

PM me if you want some more info

 

[Kubed]

Can a laundry list of publications make up for low board scores.... I'll tell you on match day

 

[jennyboo]

A lot of different things can be considered strengths: Research, strong letters of recommendation, an away elective to allow a program to get to know you, and many more.

Can research help you? Yes. Will it "make up for" your low boards and failed class? Nobody knows. You're asking a mathematical question and the residency selection process is anything but mathematical.

The bottom line? Sell yourself. Take whatever you've got (be it research, letters, contacts, aways, grades or board scores) and sell it well. It's all you can do.