How helpful is research?

[irvinedawg]

Hi All,

I am currently doing clinical research. So far, it looks good and I might be able to publish maybe as a 1st or 2nd author. I was just wondering does it matter where you get published. What I mean is there a difference in getting published in JAMA as compared to a school newsletter?

Also, how helpful are publications when applying for residency. For example, if you get published in an another field than you might apply to, does it hurt your chances. Also, what is the order of importance. Most people say USMLE and grades are most important, rest is secondary.

Any input would be appreciative.

Thanks

 

[rubensan]

Hi All,

I am currently doing clinical research. So far, it looks good and I might be able to publish maybe as a 1st or 2nd author. I was just wondering does it matter where you get published. What I mean is there a difference in getting published in JAMA as compared to a school newsletter?

Also, how helpful are publications when applying for residency. For example, if you get published in an another field than you might apply to, does it hurt your chances. Also, what is the order of importance. Most people say USMLE and grades are most important, rest is secondary.

Any input would be appreciative.

Thanks

Yes, there is a difference, you want to shoot for a decent pier reviewed journal. you're right grades and usmle are important. research can only help you. research in ophthalmology shows interest in the field, but research in other fields will NOT hurt your chances at getting into an ophtho residency. bottom line: shoot for JAMA rather than your school's BS journal and don't worry too much about what field your research is in. rather, be able to talk about it intelligently when you interview for residency.

good luck!

 

[GrandMasterB]

Ruben, do you really think that doing research in other fields will hurt your chances at getting into an ophtho residency, or was that at typo (i hope so! 😱 ).

 

[rubensan]

Ruben, do you really think that doing research in other fields will hurt your chances at getting into an ophtho residency, or was that at typo (i hope so! 😱 ).

you're right Bud Bundy! I edited that post. thanks 😉

 

[eyedr]

you're right Bud Bundy! I edited that post. thanks 😉

Agreed. I had a fair amount of non-ophtho research...people were interested in hearing about the details of the project and later what it was that led me to ophtho.

 

[irvinedawg]

Agreed. I had a fair amount of non-ophtho research...people were interested in hearing about the details of the project and later what it was that led me to ophtho.

Thanks everyone. My research is going well, lets see what kind of publication we can get out of it. I know some people actually do research when the school is in session. I might have an option like that in oph. but I also want to do well in school b/c you have to be very comp. academically also to match.

Thanks again for the input.

 

[Adab]

Yes, there is a difference, you want to shoot for a decent pier reviewed journal. you're right grades and usmle are important. research can only help you. research in ophthalmology shows interest in the field, but research in other fields will NOT hurt your chances at getting into an ophtho residency. bottom line: shoot for JAMA rather than your school's BS journal and don't worry too much about what field your research is in. rather, be able to talk about it intelligently when you interview for residency.

good luck!

i did basic science research in undergrad, and have my name on two papers (2003 & 2004). I just finished M1 and am currently doing healthcare management research in ophtho which I hope (hope!) to publish sometime. Will published research in undergrad be a positive factor when it comes for residency? Will it demonstrate my commitment to academia?

 

[rubensan]

i did basic science research in undergrad, and have my name on two papers (2003 & 2004). I just finished M1 and am currently doing healthcare management research in ophtho which I hope (hope!) to publish sometime. Will published research in undergrad be a positive factor when it comes for residency? Will it demonstrate my commitment to academia?

yes it will, but keep up the strong track record!

 

[eyedr]

yes it will, but keep up the strong track record!

Your current and future publications will definitely help you at the more research oriented academic programs. Just remember to continue to do well in your course and to rock Step 1 and shoot for AOA. Each will only make you a stronger and stronger applicant, especially if your goal is a top tier program.

 

[irvinedawg]

Your current and future publications will definitely help you at the more research oriented academic programs. Just remember to continue to do well in your course and to rock Step 1 and shoot for AOA. Each will only make you a stronger and stronger applicant, especially if your goal is a top tier program.

I was also wondering if a publication can cover up a bad grade. For example, which applicant would be more competitive, one with a 3.4 and a publication compare to another with a 3.7 w/o any publications, given they have the same board score, LOR and similar caliber PS.

Because, I am not sure if I should do research during school year and risk lowering my GPA.

Thanks

 

[rubensan]

I was also wondering if a publication can cover up a bad grade. For example, which applicant would be more competitive, one with a 3.4 and a publication compare to another with a 3.7 w/o any publications, given they have the same board score, LOR and similar caliber PS.

Because, I am not sure if I should do research during school year and risk lowering my GPA.

Thanks

i agree with eyedr, you shouldn't do research at the expense of strong grades during your clinical clerkships. my medical school did not have us on a 4.0 scale, but generally, you should shoot for honors/near honors scores on all clerkships. does that mean that one mistake will preclude you from an ophtho residency? no! but the overall picture is very important. the best way to compensate for a bad clership eval is not to dedicate more time to the lab, but rather do a much better job on future clerkships. things like research publications, AOA, grants and such are icing on the cake and will help, like eyedr said, at the top programs. now, there has been some discussion about what the top programs are. in my opinion the "top 8" are as follows:

wilmer
bascom
wills
iowa
ucla
usc
ucsf
wash u.

good luck!

 

[irvinedawg]

thanks rubensan. I haven't hit clerkships, so hopefully by then I can get my butt in gear and do well in rotations. People tell me that clinical grades are more impt. than basic science grades. Also, first year is hard to adjust too, so I am hoping if I do well from now they will look at it as upward mobility.

Thank you for all your help, guys. Good luck to all of you guys.

i agree with eyedr, you shouldn't do research at the expense of strong grades during your clinical clerkships. my medical school did not have us on a 4.0 scale, but generally, you should shoot for honors/near honors scores on all clerkships. does that mean that one mistake will preclude you from an ophtho residency? no! but the overall picture is very important. the best way to compensate for a bad clership eval is not to dedicate more time to the lab, but rather do a much better job on future clerkships. things like research publications, AOA, grants and such are icing on the cake and will help, like eyedr said, at the top programs. now, there has been some discussion about what the top programs are. in my opinion the "top 8" are as follows:

wilmer
bascom
wills
iowa
ucla
usc
ucsf
wash u.

good luck!

 

[irvinedawg]

thanks rubensan. I haven't hit clerkships, so hopefully by then I can get my butt in gear and do well in rotations. People tell me that clinical grades are more impt. than basic science grades. Also, first year is hard to adjust too, so I am hoping if I do well from now they will look at it as upward mobility.

Thank you for all your help, guys. Good luck to all of you guys.

i agree with eyedr, you shouldn't do research at the expense of strong grades during your clinical clerkships. my medical school did not have us on a 4.0 scale, but generally, you should shoot for honors/near honors scores on all clerkships. does that mean that one mistake will preclude you from an ophtho residency? no! but the overall picture is very important. the best way to compensate for a bad clership eval is not to dedicate more time to the lab, but rather do a much better job on future clerkships. things like research publications, AOA, grants and such are icing on the cake and will help, like eyedr said, at the top programs. now, there has been some discussion about what the top programs are. in my opinion the "top 8" are as follows:

wilmer
bascom
wills
iowa
ucla
usc
ucsf
wash u.

good luck!

 

[rubensan]

I think you have the right outlook on things. Keep up the hard work! 2nd year is better than 1st. 3rd year is a lot of work, but it's much more fun than the 1st 2 years and 4th year will be one of the best years of your life!

thanks rubensan. I haven't hit clerkships, so hopefully by then I can get my butt in gear and do well in rotations. People tell me that clinical grades are more impt. than basic science grades. Also, first year is hard to adjust too, so I am hoping if I do well from now they will look at it as upward mobility.

Thank you for all your help, guys. Good luck to all of you guys.