Establishing Connection in Medical School - Mayo Clinic

[pandoraone]

Hey,

I am currently a second year medical student who has some interest in surgery. I know there are differing versions of WAMC threads and such and I have read through most of them. In terms of matching at competitive programs, it seems you need:

• High step one score 230+
• Letters from Infleuntial people
• Research
• Good grades

In terms of letters from influential people, I got that having letters from big name people and having them call on your behalf can make all the difference in matching at the top places. As a medical student, shadowing and doing research with said big name would be the best way to get to know them in my opinion.

In light of this, I was hoping to make connections with "big names" at Mayo, my medical school. Could you guys tell me who some of the big names here are or who would be good to work with?

I plan on doing research and shadowing someone, I figure it would just be more helpful to work with someone who is a bigger name.

Thanks for your help! 🙂

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[pandoraone]

There is no one here who can possibly give you a better answer than the people at your own school. Upperclass students, advisors, deans, etc should be able to tell you who the "big names" are and (more importantly) which faculty have a track record of working with students and helping them develop.

I can find out the second part (who works with students and helps them develop) from upper classmen, but I felt that people outside of Mayo may know who the big names are. For example, it could be like, "Oh Dr. X is big in genenral surgery, we see him every year presenting and he is very good."

Sorry if it is a stupid question

 

[maxheadroom]

I would either approach someone in the Dean's Office who advises students and ask for help finding a mentor or talk to the Clerkship Director.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Hey,

I am currently a second year medical student who has some interest in surgery. I know there are differing versions of WAMC threads and such and I have read through most of them. In terms of matching at competitive programs, it seems you need:

• High step one score 230+
• Letters from Infleuntial people
• Research
• Good grades

In terms of letters from influential people, I got that having letters from big name people and having them call on your behalf can make all the difference in matching at the top places. As a medical student, shadowing and doing research with said big name would be the best way to get to know them in my opinion.

In light of this, I was hoping to make connections with "big names" at Mayo, my medical school. Could you guys tell me who some of the big names here are or who would be good to work with?

I plan on doing research and shadowing someone, I figure it would just be more helpful to work with someone who is a bigger name.

Thanks for your help! 🙂

1) Medical students don't "shadow"
2) Research over a long term is a reasonable way to get to know faculty, but you won't have much time to devote next year to it
3) LORs don't have to be from "influential people"; they just have to be good and from someone who knows you. A letter from the Chairman at Mayo doesn't mean jack **** if he barely knows you. Often junior faculty are better mentors, will spend time with you, etc. don't assume the "big name" is going to get you anywhere
4) your USMLE Step 1 should be your primary focus
5) FWIW, Dr. Degnim is well known in the world of breast surgery; Dr. Deschamps is probably the best well known but in the surgical specialties, others may weigh in
6) as above, I wouldn't focus on this, but talk to your school and see who is available to advise/mentor you

 

[Pir8DeacDoc]

Do you guys have a surgery interest group? That's where I met some surgeons as an MS-1 and started to make those connections. You can bet if a faculty member shows up to a meeting for students they have a pretty strong interest in mentoring or helping guide you into surgery.

 

[Sarr]

Find David Farley, ask for an appointment, ask for his advice. He will guide you to the right path as he has done to many in the past. If you are looking for a letter from a big name and expect to get it without earning it, good luck. If you play the game by the rules, the right way, Farley, Kendrick , Sarr, Que, Farnell, Nagorney, Donahue, Devine, any big name will happily take the bat for a future colleague wothy of training.

Hey,

I am currently a second year medical student who has some interest in surgery. I know there are differing versions of WAMC threads and such and I have read through most of them. In terms of matching at competitive programs, it seems you need:

• High step one score 230+
• Letters from Infleuntial people
• Research
• Good grades

In terms of letters from influential people, I got that having letters from big name people and having them call on your behalf can make all the difference in matching at the top places. As a medical student, shadowing and doing research with said big name would be the best way to get to know them in my opinion.

In light of this, I was hoping to make connections with "big names" at Mayo, my medical school. Could you guys tell me who some of the big names here are or who would be good to work with?

I plan on doing research and shadowing someone, I figure it would just be more helpful to work with someone who is a bigger name.

Thanks for your help! 🙂