Do I need more research or can I focus on grades at this point going forward?

[Bored_Conscious]

I'm currently a third-year student at a mid-tier school. I'm interested in going into IM and then a competitive fellowship (GI) afterwards.
Hopefully, I can get into a good IM program that will prepare me well for fellowship and support me in my research goals.

Currently, I have 10 "publications" (Journals - 6, Posters - 2, Oral Presentations - 1, Abstracts - 1)
I am first author on one poster/abstract and second author on another. The rest are all mid-author positions.

I have been working on a literature review for around 2-years now and this would have been my first author paper. Long story short, things didn't work out and I don't think I'll get published.

I do enjoy research and would love to come up with my own idea and aim for a first author position, but I don't think that is feasible at this time. I'm hopeful that I can match into a residency program that is more supportive of research endeavors/has a lab that is working on an area of research I am passionate about.

Anyways, after my preclinical grades, my ranking is third/fourth quartile. If all goes well during clinicals, I think I can solidify myself within third/second quartile. I'm just trying to be reasonable here.

Basically, what I'd like to know is whether or not I should continue to look for that first author publication and put more time into it OR if I should really focus on my clinical grades to up my quartile and do well on Step 2.

I have a feeling I know the answer, but I just want to make sure I can sort of let the gas off of research and focus on something else going forward.

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[Redpancreas]

I'm currently a third-year student at a mid-tier school. I'm interested in going into IM and then a competitive fellowship (GI) afterwards.
Hopefully, I can get into a good IM program that will prepare me well for fellowship and support me in my research goals.

Currently, I have 10 "publications" (Journals - 6, Posters - 2, Oral Presentations - 1, Abstracts - 1)
I am first author on one poster/abstract and second author on another. The rest are all mid-author positions.

I have been working on a literature review for around 2-years now and this would have been my first author paper. Long story short, things didn't work out and I don't think I'll get published.

I do enjoy research and would love to come up with my own idea and aim for a first author position, but I don't think that is feasible at this time. I'm hopeful that I can match into a residency program that is more supportive of research endeavors/has a lab that is working on an area of research I am passionate about.

Anyways, after my preclinical grades, my ranking is third/fourth quartile. If all goes well during clinicals, I think I can solidify myself within third/second quartile. I'm just trying to be reasonable here.

Basically, what I'd like to know is whether or not I should continue to look for that first author publication and put more time into it OR if I should really focus on my clinical grades to up my quartile and do well on Step 2.

I have a feeling I know the answer, but I just want to make sure I can sort of let the gas off of research and focus on something else going forward.

It sounds like you’ll be well on your way to a good GI fellowship.

1.) I would focus on Step 2 CK. That will determine your competitiveness for residency and your residency reputation alone will be a major factor for fellowship.

2.) After your ERAS is submitted, you’ll have a whole year to work towards publications.

3.) Take it one step at a time.

 

[Bored_Conscious]

Thank you. I appreciate your feedback.
I'll admit, I do get a bit ahead of myself sometimes and can get overwhelmed feeling like I'm behind or something.

I'll focus on spending my time getting the best clinical grades I can and acing step 2.

 

[Redpancreas]

Thank you. I appreciate your feedback.
I'll admit, I do get a bit ahead of myself sometimes and can get overwhelmed feeling like I'm behind or something.

I'll focus on spending my time getting the best clinical grades I can and acing step 2.

No problem. I felt the same way throughout my medical education and training, and it only led to underachievement and lost relationships. If I could go back to medical school, I would have focused more on maintaining my sanity while still putting in solid effort.

You already have GI research. As mentioned, aim to match at a solid residency by doing well in your third year, and then take up a project during your fourth year. It’s more important to choose something you’re genuinely involved in and can eventually publish, rather than writing up 10 abstracts that never get seen again.

 

[voxveritatisetlucis]

After like 4 actual publications returns are diminishing. 4 pubs + AOA > 15 pubs and average grades for example

 

[MDMechEngr]

After like 4 actual publications returns are diminishing. 4 pubs + AOA > 15 pubs and average grades for example

Interesting, I checked the reddit residency tracker for 2024 and found that those who got AOA and GHHS all had 260+ S2 and got way more interviews than those with more pubs and presentations. Although this was not IM. I agree that pubs have a point of diminishing return just like S2 scores.

 

[coconutlover]

Interesting, I checked the reddit residency tracker for 2024 and found that those who got AOA and GHHS all had 260+ S2 and got way more interviews than those with more pubs and presentations. Although this was not IM. I agree that pubs have a point of diminishing turn just like S2 scores.

so u think good target is like 260 step 2?

 

[MDMechEngr]

so u think good target is like 260 step 2?

If you can hit around a 260, you will be lit.

 

[coconutlover]

If you can hit around a 260, you will be lit.

Any tips on how to get there? I am terrible at memorization and takes forever for me to memorize things compared to my classmates

 

[JuicedToTheSocks]

FYI you have 6 publications, not 10. Not sure at what point people started counting abstracts. posters, or presentations as pubs but they're not. Eras clearly delineates them.

To answer your question, 6 publications is very impressive if you didn't take a research year. Should be more than set for IM.

 

[Bored_Conscious]

FYI you have 6 publications, not 10. Not sure at what point people started counting abstracts. posters, or presentations as pubs but they're not. Eras clearly delineates them.

To answer your question, 6 publications is very impressive if you didn't take a research year. Should be more than set for IM.

Thanks for pointing that out. I heard that ERAS just bunches them all together when they count "publications". I guess not.
Well thanks for letting me know!

 

[cytomegalovirus123]

FYI you have 6 publications, not 10. Not sure at what point people started counting abstracts. posters, or presentations as pubs but they're not. Eras clearly delineates them.

To answer your question, 6 publications is very impressive if you didn't take a research year. Should be more than set for IM.

OP means research items