Competitive residency, first year summer?

[kurite]

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Hello!
I am currently a first year and am looking ahead to prepare for my summer. I havent decided on if I want to pursue a competitive residency yet but I want to keep my options open. I was reading that generally to get a little boost, research is probably the best summer option. I was wondering though, as long as its medically related research does it matter where I do the research? Is there a prestige system when it comes to research? Also is there anything else I should do over the summer to become more competitive?
Thank you

 

[OnePunchBiopsy]

Research experience will never hurt you.

If you are planning to do research this summer, try and pick a topic and a place you could see yourself working one day. If you reach third year and end up changing your mind, at least you have general research experience. Generally, it is better to do research at a larger medical facility or academic center because there are large amounts of resources at your disposal. "Oh, I need to run this test that requires a $250,000 dollar machine." It helps when all the stuff you need is in one place and you don't have to ship anything off for analysis elsewhere.

There is a qualitative hierarchy with research. The more time and work something takes, the better it looks on a resume. Here is a general ranking based on what I have heard from physicians and medical research faculty.

*Xth author on a basic science publication in journal *Y > Xth author on a clinical science publication in Journal Y > Xth author on a case report > Presentation at a national conference > Abstract acceptance at a national conference > Poster Presentation > General Research Experience

****Where "X" represents where you are on the author list and Y is the prestige of the journal (dependent on impact factor)

This ranking is based on the fact that basic science research (bench research) generally takes more time to make.

Anything else you can do? If you have spare time it is always best to shadow! When I had a slow week of summer research I followed an ER doc around and had a great learning experience.


Best of luck to you!

 

[CubsFan314]

I did a research project after my first year and found it immensely useful. I was able to get a first-author paper out of it and have remained involved with the research team. This will make it easier to publish more (either as first author or middle author) during medical school. Competitive residencies are all at academic medical centers where people publish a lot of papers. Having a solid track record of research publication in medical school can only help.

 

[doc05]

no. don't do research. it's your last real summer vacation. ever. enjoy your time off.

 

[Stagg737]

The resume boost certainly doesn't hurt. It depends on where you can get in though. Spending your whole summer doing research you don't like at a no-name institution that won't get published would never be worth it to me. So if you're genuinely interested in the research, or pretty much know you can get some decent publications out of it (or even just 1 strong one) it could be worth it.

 

[Merely]

Research experience will never hurt you.

If you are planning to do research this summer, try and pick a topic and a place you could see yourself working one day. If you reach third year and end up changing your mind, at least you have general research experience. Generally, it is better to do research at a larger medical facility or academic center because there are large amounts of resources at your disposal. "Oh, I need to run this test that requires a $250,000 dollar machine." It helps when all the stuff you need is in one place and you don't have to ship anything off for analysis elsewhere.

There is a qualitative hierarchy with research. The more time and work something takes, the better it looks on a resume. Here is a general ranking based on what I have heard from physicians and medical research faculty.

*Xth author on a basic science publication in journal *Y > Xth author on a clinical science publication in Journal Y > Xth author on a case report > Presentation at a national conference > Abstract acceptance at a national conference > Poster Presentation > General Research Experience

****Where "X" represents where you are on the author list and Y is the prestige of the journal (dependent on impact factor)

This ranking is based on the fact that basic science research (bench research) generally takes more time to make.

Anything else you can do? If you have spare time it is always best to shadow! When I had a slow week of summer research I followed an ER doc around and had a great learning experience.


Best of luck to you!

What is the difference between presentation at a national conference vs abstract acceptance at a national conference? When you get your abstract accepted it's usually to go present it as a oral or poster...?

 

[TBV]

Do research in something that interests you. Even with the hours committed to that there is plenty of time to enjoy summer.

 

[DryHopped]

I chose not to do research after M1 because I hate research and wanted to enjoy my summer. I figured I could just jump into a project during 3rd year if I had to.

Looking back as a 4th year who is applying to a competitive specialty, I wish I would have just done it. You can still have fun on the weekends when doing research during the summer and if you are someone who does well on limited sleep you can have a good time during the week as well.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[OnePunchBiopsy]

What is the difference between presentation at a national conference vs abstract acceptance at a national conference? When you get your abstract accepted it's usually to go present it as a oral or poster...?

Great question! Abstract acceptance is different depending on the reason it was submitted. Abstracts can be submitted to conferences in which you are giving a formal presentation to an audience or just giving a poster presentation to a few people. Heck, I knew someone who submitted an abstract to a conference just to hang up a poster and never got to present it.

So I consider giving a presentation > abstract acceptance since sometimes a presentation does not result after submitting one.

 

[OnePunchBiopsy]

Even with the hours committed to that there is plenty of time to enjoy summer.

This is so true! I spent some (most) of my nights at Top Golf.

 

[22031 Alum]

If you end up applying in a competitive specialty (or even a top program in a regular ol' specialty), you will likely be interviewing alongside applicants from research-heavy schools who started research early as part of their curriculum. An earlier start gives you more time to find an area you enjoy, for example bench vs. clinical vs. quality improvement. And you get the possibility of longer term, more meaningful involvement with a project. While it is your last "free" summer, you are a young professional now and should use it to your professional advantage.

I should note I went to a school that required research MS1/MS2 summer. I did 20-30 hours of work a week and still remember that summer as "the party summer."

 

[Lord Humongus]

What are the chances that a month or two of basic science research will yield a publication or really anything else you can stick in your CV and point to as a real result? I did a whole year of basic science research in undergrad and didn't get so much as a poster out of it. Basic science seems like something that is a total crapshoot over anything other than a very long term timeline.

 

[TBV]

What are the chances that a month or two of basic science research will yield a publication or really anything else you can stick in your CV and point to as a real result? I did a whole year of basic science research in undergrad and didn't get so much as a poster out of it. Basic science seems like something that is a total crapshoot over anything other than a very long term timeline.

In my situation I got a presentation out of my summer portion and the team is continuing the project and will put me somewhere in the middle wash. Not the best place to be but better than nothing.

 

[OnePunchBiopsy]

What are the chances that a month or two of basic science research will yield a publication or really anything else you can stick in your CV and point to as a real result? I did a whole year of basic science research in undergrad and didn't get so much as a poster out of it. Basic science seems like something that is a total crapshoot over anything other than a very long term timeline.

I got a basic science publication out of 10 weeks of summer research (5th author). I never expected be included on a publication when I started the project. I was just honest with my PI on day one. Told him I wanted to learn what it takes to get an authorship, and he happened to have a project that needed data collection and analysis.

It was a lot of work, but my opportunity to be included as an author was just luck. I met with a PI who happened to have an opening for a student, was nice enough to let me in on a project, my data was substantial so I wrote my findings into the paper, and he was generous enough to include me as an author. It took a lot of pieces falling into place.

Also, it took a whole year and 3 months after that summer for the paper to be accepted into a journal.


EDIT: If I was not given an authorship, my plan was to make a poster and get as many research experiences as possible by giving presentations.

 

[Hangry]

What are the chances that a month or two of basic science research will yield a publication or really anything else you can stick in your CV and point to as a real result? I did a whole year of basic science research in undergrad and didn't get so much as a poster out of it. Basic science seems like something that is a total crapshoot over anything other than a very long term timeline.

Do clinical research unless you are totally wedded to the idea of doing bench work. Much more likely to be published/get tangible results from your effort in a timely fashion.

 

[ArkansasMed]

Hello!
I am currently a first year and am looking ahead to prepare for my summer. I havent decided on if I want to pursue a competitive residency yet but I want to keep my options open. I was reading that generally to get a little boost, research is probably the best summer option. I was wondering though, as long as its medically related research does it matter where I do the research? Is there a prestige system when it comes to research? Also is there anything else I should do over the summer to become more competitive?
Thank you

If your dream is to either attend the best residency program in the field OR a very competitive residency then publish 1 research paper in med school (hopefully 1-3rd author). Not publishing can shut you out of certain programs. If you are already published nor care about those things go volunteer in another country, go to the beach or just do something relaxing. Life only gets harder from 1st year (except for 4th year).

Order of impressiveness:
1. Publish 1st author to a peer reviewed journal
2. Publish .... Author (2nd to whatever, earlier the better) to a peer reviewed journal.
3. International/National conference podium/poster presentation (maybe equivalent to 2-4th author depending on where you do it)
4. Review article in peer reviewed journal
5. Published book chapter
6. Local poster or presentation = case report.
7. School poster presentation
8. Doing research

 

[Redpancreas]

Hello!
I am currently a first year and am looking ahead to prepare for my summer. I havent decided on if I want to pursue a competitive residency yet but I want to keep my options open. I was reading that generally to get a little boost, research is probably the best summer option. I was wondering though, as long as its medically related research does it matter where I do the research? Is there a prestige system when it comes to research? Also is there anything else I should do over the summer to become more competitive?
Thank you

Go where you can be sure that you can either receive recognition for your research (publications, conferences, or awards). Whether that's in house or abroad doesn't matter in my opinion. With regards to other stuff, not really. Maybe shadow a bit, and start planning out how you want to structure second year. Externships, summer trips, etc. are all for your experience and while they do a bit to diversify an application, they're not on the same tier as research when it comes to extracurricular activity.

 

[Redpancreas]

If your dream is to either attend the best residency program in the field OR a very competitive residency then publish 1 research paper in med school (hopefully 1-3rd author). Not publishing can shut you out of certain programs. If you are already published nor care about those things go volunteer in another country, go to the beach or just do something relaxing. Life only gets harder from 1st year (except for 4th year).

Order of impressiveness:
1. Publish 1st author to a peer reviewed journal
2. Publish .... Author (2nd to whatever, earlier the better) to a peer reviewed journal.
3. International/National conference podium/poster presentation (maybe equivalent to 2-4th author depending on where you do it)
4. Review article in peer reviewed journal
5. Published book chapter
6. Local poster or presentation = case report.
7. School poster presentation
8. Doing research

This is true but what's stupid about it is that in a large variety of cases, medical students can weasel their way into research, perform the mindless grunt work, and receive publication credit from major journals simply as a thank you for performing the grunt work and I don't think this is right. In fact, I would argue that if a 1st year medical student is the brainchild behind their research project, there's a smaller likelihood that it's on it's way to being submitted to a peer reviewed high impact journal. The bigger projects with piles and piles of patient data are often handled by residents and if you talk to them, they'll let you in on stuff.

 

[22031 Alum]

What are the chances that a month or two of basic science research will yield a publication or really anything else you can stick in your CV and point to as a real result? I did a whole year of basic science research in undergrad and didn't get so much as a poster out of it. Basic science seems like something that is a total crapshoot over anything other than a very long term timeline.

I highly encourage students to get over the "research = basic science research" misconception. You're absolutely right that a summer of work will likely yield very little on a basic science project. There are lots of very worthwhile clinical projects where the bulk of the work could easily be done in a summer of full time work.