MD & DO Is going to a medical conference worth it for a medical student?

[Dagrimsta1]

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Long story short, I am considering going to a medical conference for a day to network, schmooze, ect. but it will cost me about 500 dollars in total... is it worth it? It's gonna be like a residency fair with program directors from different PM&R programs across the US talking to medical students about PM&R, as well as actual physiatrists.

Would me attending make any difference in matching residency for that specialty? Can i even put it on my app?
Is it worth 500 bucks?
I would not be missing any classes.

Current MS-2

 

[UnoMas]

Unless you are presenting a poster or a talk, low yield. In my own experience, they don't take you very seriously as a M1 or M2. Save your money. Do it after you get your Step score back during M3 or M4.

 

[Lnsean]

Waste of time unless you're truly interested in the event.

 

[LABrondo]

How do you put it on your app?

 

[mistafab]

I wouldn’t go unless it was free, or if I were presenting.

However this is your life and your decision.

 

[Lawpy]

Usually conferences are worth going if you are presenting a poster or a talk on your research project. Otherwise, I wouldn't bother imo.

 

[Lnsean]

lol are you seriously thinking of putting on your app that you attended a conference...

 

[UnoMas]

lol are you seriously thinking of putting on your app that you attended a conference...

makes it easier to weed it out.

I am kidding

 

[Chibucks15]

lol are you seriously thinking of putting on your app that you attended a conference...

Idk I've heard on actual residency apps you put them. Shows dedication to the field and all that and you have an opportunity to network with people in the field which can make a difference come app time. Maybe they don't do that in pharma-land but over here in the medical student world anything that helps get a residency is a good thing and nothing wrong with asking about it. I'd try to know what you're talking about before scolding medical students on things you don't know about

 

[fasteddie911]

A traditional conference, I'd say no it's not worth it. This sounds more like a networking event, nothing worth putting on your app and maybe not worth it until you're MS4 so that the PD's may actually remember you. As an MS4, if you're still serious about the specialty, you think you need the boost to your app and you give good first impressions, it may be worth a shot for connections, but it could also backfire as well.

 

[popopopop]

As a second year, I'm going to a state level one with the outlook of 50% networking and 50% for gauging my interest in the field. Also, it's a through a travel scholarship so it's free and I think would be resume worthy.

 

[ceilingfan019]

I've only been to conferences that I've done oral or poster presentations for. And even then, I got money from my department to fully fund all of them. If I had to pay out of pocket, I would not go unless it was a podium presentation, which is great experience and exposure.

I would not recommend going to a conference just to go for networking etc. In my experience, physicians don't engage that much with you as they're there to catch up with colleagues from different institutions around the country/world, talk to vendors, learn about new treatment techniques, catch up on latest research, etc. Talking to medical students is probably low on that list in terms of priority IMO.

An exception to the above is if you are going with a mentor that you are close with that would not mind introducing you around and having your back. It's a chance to further build your mentor relationship as well as meet people that they know who are at other programs. This may come in handy come residency application ("Oh yeah, you're *so-and-so's* student").

 

[MSTPlease]

Literally just going to a conference is not resume or eras worthy. You could theoretically spin a travel award but if there’s no corresponding poster it’s still pretty meaningless.

It is not an accomplishment to just attend a conference. Literally anyone who pays the fees can go.

This is not to say that it isn’t worth your time to go (it probably isn’t but there’s too many variables to be to definitive with this) but if you’re putting conferences you went to without research on your resume/eras I’m assuming that means you have a very lackluster application.

 

[MD-2022]

Go, if your school can sponsor you

 

[The_Sunny_Doc]

I go to advocacy conferences (AMA, AOA), and have built up a network of friends and mentors that have opened doors for me in terms of research opportunities and employment.

You don’t just show up and get free stuff, though. You discuss policy, write reports, attend meetings and conference calls. There are conferences that I’m sure are fluffy, but you can find ones that have more substance.

The key is demonstrating commmitment and effort. It takes years of attending conferences to create such opportunities (you have to keep showing up and seeing the same people), but the time will pass when you’re in med school. Med students and physicians are an awesome bunch speak with about policy... and party with.

 

[CherryRedDracul]

Go if you're doing something active or if it's free. Otherwise, save your money.

It was suggested me to have a bullet point mentioning conferences attended (without a corresponding poster or anything) under involvement in interest groups. Essentially just to show a long-standing interest in the specialty, and certainly not as a stand-alone entry. That said, I'm applying to a specialty that places a really high value on applicant interest in the specialty, or more specifically the ability to demonstrate that it's not a backup option.

Meh, I'll look at it as fluff of desperation if I see it on an application.

You can show long-standing interest in a specialty by going to a conference and at least volunteering if not presenting something.