How to Choose Plastic Surgery Mentor

Started by snot
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snot

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I'm an MS1 interested in plastics. I keep reading about how important it is to find a good mentor for research who can write good letters and "make calls for you" when it comes time to match.

What's the smartest way to pick a mentor?

Biggest name? Most productive research lab? Smaller name who has more time to dedicate to my development? Some other factor?
 
Academic Plastic surgery is a strongly connected society. Ideally you can get a big name in your corner. That’s not easy, and obviously not everyone has that. So the most important thing would be to find a good surgeon who knows how to teach, can get you research (publications speak for themselves), and may be able to make a phone call now and again. PM me and I can give you more advice, especially on how to approach med school these next few years.