How best to let attendings/researchers know that you want to do research?

[Idiopathic]

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Any thoughts? I am an MS2 who really wants to get into a competitive field. I have a poster day under my belt, but no real research. Would appreciate any insight.

 

[kasimagore1]

by showing your first author publications from college, doing a MD/PhD that's most closely related to your field of interest, taking 1-2 years off and pursue a research fellowship (e.g. HHMI), or conducting a research project at your spare time (few hours per night during weekdays and most of weekends), this way you would definitely convince the attending that you have a true interest in research. Otherwise pursuing a competitive specialty requires superb grades and board score, electives in your chosen field, and most importantly, dedicated attitude in the ward or OR. Research is an option, not the prereq to getting into a competitive specialty.

 

[Tazmaniac]

Just ask the department people how to get involved in research. The secretaries will know who you need to talk to, then go from there. You'll be the 10,000,000th medical student to ask about research and there will be 10,000,000,000 more until the end of time. They'll point you to the right direction. Just ask around, "Hey, I'm interested in some research in [insert field here]. Do you have any openings or know anyone who can help me?"

Pretty soon, you'll have to fend off the onslaught of offers.

Good luck!

-Todd MSIV USC

 

[Idiopathic]

Thanks a lot...the pre-clinical stuff is there (grades, etc.) but I dont know how else to make myself an attractive candidate for neurosurgery (or something like it) without some tangible research.

 

[ALTorGT]

sounds like you just wanna get into a competitive speciality for no other reason than its "competitive". no reason why a competitive speciality is the only speciality where theres good research. Endocrine for example which is the easier of the IM sub specialities to get into: Lots of fantastic research going on in understanding the endocrine system and the bilogical systems engineering behind the overall hormonal control of the human being from birth until death. so you should probably narrow it down first into what field interests you and then pursue people doing good research in that field.
Just my medical students 2c worth.