MS4 interested in pediatric academic medicine---how can I get there?

[ULTRA nerves]

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Hi everyone on the SDN,

I am a rising 4th year osteopathic medical student interested in PEDS but also would love to be an academic attending at a residency program. I love to teach what I know and like the intellectual challenges. I am reviewing various residency programs now and trying to decide where to apply. Do I need to be looking for specific programs if I want to set myself up for the academic attending road?

Coming from DO school and with average grades/score, I am considering community peds residency programs more...but I am afraid that I will distance myself from academic medicine further. What would be the best course of action for me? Would I be better off if I do my best to get a residency spot at a university affiliated program?

Please share your insights and experiences!!

ULTRA

 

[oldbearprofessor]

Hi everyone on the SDN,

I am a rising 4th year osteopathic medical student interested in PEDS but also would love to be an academic attending at a residency program. I love to teach what I know and like the intellectual challenges. I am reviewing various residency programs now and trying to decide where to apply. Do I need to be looking for specific programs if I want to set myself up for the academic attending road?

Coming from DO school and with average grades/score, I am considering community peds residency programs more...but I am afraid that I will distance myself from academic medicine further. What would be the best course of action for me? Would I be better off if I do my best to get a residency spot at a university affiliated program?

Please share your insights and experiences!!

ULTRA

I recommend interviewing at a range of programs. There are lots of academic programs in "less popular" locations that are looking for good residents and will be glad to help you achieve your goals. You don't have to get into the biggest name programs to do academic pedi whether it is academic general or specialty. It would be somewhat helpful to match in a program with a close and well-integrated medical school affiliation but really even that isn't crucial.