Making best of this summer

[PoetMD]

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Hello I'm a first year med student that is fascinated with your field. I realize how competitive it is to match and was wondering if you could give me some advice on my situation.

I have access to a handful of neurosurgeons through school and family that would be willing to let me shadow them and possibly participate in research. Given this, I have a few questions-

1- Shadowing- how meaningful is this on a residency application, if at all? What if I did it for a month in addition to participating in research??

2- Research- I could probably help with some on-going projects related to neurology/neurosurg this summer..Yet if the research doesnt lead to my name being published is it still worthwhile?

3-Free time- I get 8 weeks or so and know this will be my last summer with boards next summer and all. Last great opportunity to take that cross-country road trip or backpack in Europe. Question is, can I get a valuable enough experience in 4-5 wks as opposed to dedicating my whole summer?

What did/would you do? Thanks for your time...sorry for the long post

B

 

[mpp]

1 - shadowing is useless for a residency application. However, if you maintain a relationship with this person and later rotate with them in your 3rd or 4th year (or you spent a significant amount of time doing research with them) it can help only in that they may know you better and right a more personal letter.

2 - Research without a publication is still worthwhile. It's a learning experience and you would still include such a thing on your application even without a publication.

3 - You may be able to get a valuable experience in 4 weeks or so.

Definitely take time for yourself (especially if you are the normal applicant that hasn't really spent much time off from school). Go traveling and have fun. They'll be plenty of time for neurosurgery and research later on.

 

[PoetMD]

MPP,
You're telling me that people take off the first summer and still match into NS? What did you do?

We have a great NS dept at my school and plenty of cutting edge research opportunities out there...its just a matter of whether or not to break into it all. When did you decide you wanted to go for it?

Thanks again,
B

 

[betz]

I agree with MPP. I knew that I wanted to go into Neurosurgery before medical school. I took my summer after my first year to shadow and also took some time for vacation as well. I ended up shadowing the chair of my med school's neurosurgery department. I got to know him really well, which benefitted me throughout med school. I dont think the shadowing helped my application (but definately helped me solidify my decision to do NS), but ended up getting a strong letter from my chair which definately helped. If you are thinking of neurosurgery, I would say to try and get with someone in the department, either through research or shadowing. Research will help your application, and you may be able to get into a project that you can continue in the future. Also try and take some time for yourself if you can. Good luck!

 

[Noeljan]

Hey there neurosurgeons
I will be starting medical school this fall and have always thought I wanted to possibly be a NS one day. Is there really no time to have a family? I am a female with no kids yet, but would like 2 one day.
Also, I have done basic science research (in both undergrad and now Im finishing up my masters degree thesis research) but would like to get more clinical based research. Do you think it is too early too look for something this summer? Is research really vital to matching into NS?
Thanks a lot I appreciate it🙂

 

[Blake]

It's never too early to get involved with any department.

 

[kenneth.c.liu]

Hey there neurosurgeons
I will be starting medical school this fall and have always thought I wanted to possibly be a NS one day. Is there really no time to have a family? I am a female with no kids yet, but would like 2 one day.
Also, I have done basic science research (in both undergrad and now Im finishing up my masters degree thesis research) but would like to get more clinical based research. Do you think it is too early too look for something this summer? Is research really vital to matching into NS?
Thanks a lot I appreciate it🙂

neurosurgery does tend to be more time consuming than other fields, but don't let that dissuade you. i myself have a 15 m/o boy at home that i put to bed everynight. i also know a former female resident that had a total of four children during her residency. you should at least check the field out for yourself.

it is never too early. research experience is always good on the application, and these days, is probably almost a requirement. best thing to do is to hook yourself up with a neurosurgeon and see if you like the field: the patients we see, the problems we take care of, the personalities, etc.

 

[Noeljan]

neurosurgery does tend to be more time consuming than other fields, but don't let that dissuade you. i myself have a 15 m/o boy at home that i put to bed everynight. i also know a former female resident that had a total of four children during her residency. you should at least check the field out for yourself.

it is never too early. research experience is always good on the application, and these days, is probably almost a requirement. best thing to do is to hook yourself up with a neurosurgeon and see if you like the field: the patients we see, the problems we take care of, the personalities, etc.

hey thanks a lot🙂

 

[iwantneurosurg]

1) shadowing is a waste of time. but it can be useful in getting in with someone. maybe u should shadow who you research with once in a while. it'll also make u look smart on rotations/interviews, etc if u really knew whats going on during the surgery.

2) clinical research is so much more proliferative than basic science. and in the end, publications look good, even tho basic science is sexier on an application. quality vs. quantity - basic science is quality, clinical is quantity. HOWEVER, a publication in SPINE or JBJS is pretty quality too.

3) your first summer is your last summer. enjoy it. i still did research anyway - but only a few hours each day, and did it in a totally stress-free environment. enjoyed the summer (don't really have the funds to take that world-tour) by relaxing, and got research in

4) if your home program has research, get into it! you'll be surprised that with a little bit better time management, that two hours a week extra can turn into a good amt of research u get done; especially if ur efficient

5) neurosurgeons are usu actively involved with a lot of clinical research. if not, they have plenty chapters/review articles/case reports for you to write up, you just gotta ask!

6) neurosurgeons are busy; don't be an ass and keep getting in their way, but if you don't go after them, they'll forget you. show ur interested, theyll generally try to help u out

as to having a family; yes, it's possible. the guys here have families and kids, tho they complain a lot abt missing bdays sometimes. but in general theyre in the hospital before everyone even wakes up, and are at home by dinner, maybe a little late, and can put their kids to bed at the very least. residency is hell; i dont know about then, better ask a resident

if ur doing fine in school, have a few hrs left over each week, i say go for it. i agree with blake, it's never too early to start research. and even if u dont go for neurosurgery, any residency will like the fact that u were involved.