Is research necassary?

[makesomerheum]

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Hi,

I have a one month research elective set up in pediatric ER. It is causing some scheduling conflicts as the elective does not count toward graduation credits. Is it worth keeping around to have the research experience for my application? Some of the programs I am interested in are more academic. I actually am interested in research but just have not had time up to this point. Any suggestions.

Also, my CV looks very meager as I don't know when to place explanations next to the entries. Does anyone mind posting an old CV so I could get an idea of what I am missing in the structure? Is it OK if mine is only a page long? Thanks.

 

[BADMD]

Hi,

I have a one month research elective set up in pediatric ER. It is causing some scheduling conflicts as the elective does not count toward graduation credits. Is it worth keeping around to have the research experience for my application? Some of the programs I am interested in are more academic. I actually am interested in research but just have not had time up to this point. Any suggestions.

Also, my CV looks very meager as I don't know when to place explanations next to the entries. Does anyone mind posting an old CV so I could get an idea of what I am missing in the structure? Is it OK if mine is only a page long? Thanks.

I'm assuming that you are a medical student? Research will help seperate you from the others around you. Will a research elective help you? That depends on what the goals of the elective are. You won't get any meaningful research done in 1 month. What the elective might do is give you a good foundation in the basics of research and teach you about how to conduct studies.

You want to beef up your resume? Find an interesting case and write it up. Or find a classic case of classic diagnosis, do a lit review and write something up for a throw away journal (you can even do this with a slightly odd or refractory case. Basically, write something and submit it. Yes, it takes work, but someone will likely publish it.

This is one example of a CV format. It it geared toward attendings, but may help you out.
http://www.med.wayne.edu/faculty_senate/somcvfmt.htm

 

[jazz27]

I have been told by a few PDs and the Dean at my med school that research does not help in EM. Don't stress about your CV. It's too late anyways, you only have 3 months before apps are due. It would be highly unusual for you to produce something that makes your CV go from weak to awesome in only a matter of three months, when the CV represents your life after high school and beyond. (again, don't stress about it- I'm sure your CV is not a weak one) It's the entire package that counts anyways

 

[EM_Rebuilder]

I'd spend the month doing nothing....

If its not for credit, don't do it. You would be better off doing an away rotation for 'no credit' at a place you want to go to...