Does Impact Factor Matter?

[Dr. Scribe]

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Hey guys, just found out my paper will be published in a journal with an IF of just over 5 (second author)

Obviously, I'm excited that it was published at all, but I'm curious how much IF plays a role in the long run- not just for medical school admissions but residency and fellowship as well.

Thanks for the info in advance!

 

[begoood95]

Obviously it's nicer to have a publication in a higher IF journal, and ones that are easily recognized (think Nature, Science, Cell, etc.)—though as far as its role in the long run goes (as well as medical school admissions), you're already going to be ahead of the game with a publication in the first place. In other words, simply having a publication in a peer-reviewed (as long as it's not in a pay-to-publish journal) is enough to make you that much more competitive.

Congratulations!

 

[Isoval]

An IF of 5 is nothing to scoff at anyways.

 

[Dr. Scribe]

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[Dr. Scribe]

1) having a publication in a well known journal is always a plus
2) your app can be evaluated and you get interviewed by faculty who are in different research areas than you, have never heard of your journal, and will not give it anything than applicant had a publication
3) Getting a great publication in hardcore research can always bring up the question, why clinical medicine over a PhD?

I mentioned that the paper was under review in my primary, but now that it will be published soon, would this be something that I could use to contact schools and show more interest (basically use as an update)?