How much does non-IM research help my application?

[general admission]

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I'm an M3 that was long considering a different specialty, but now want to set my focus to IM. I will have anywhere from 5-7 pubs in different, non-IM specialties published by the time apply. Additionally, I'm planning to do some IM research before then as well.

How much will that help? I'd like to aim for research-oriented schools. I couldn't find much on search (I've read the sticky saying it's a "nice bonus"), so I apologize if this has been covered ad-nauseam. Will it make up for average 3rd year grades? Thanks.

 

[gutonc]

It's a "nice bonus". What more do you want? We can't quantify it for you. And every program will consider your pubs, grades, Steps, LORs differently.

 

[BoredGuy]

Quality matters as much as quantity. 5-7 case reports where you are third of eight authors is perceived differently than 5-7 first author papers in top journals. That matters more than the particular field where you published.