Path elective question

[BugEye]

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Hello all,

I'm looking for some advice. I'm a second-year student with considerable interest in doing path. I have the opportunity to do a semester-long elective that serves as an introduction to practicing pathology -- rotating through the departments, lectures, etc. Besides exposure to the faculty and getting a better idea of what pathologists do, will this hold any weight when I apply for residency?

Thanks

 

[Sean2tall]

This would be one of those electives that goes concurrently with your second year stuff? I imagine it will be helpful when applying for residency so far as if you are asked on interviews, it would show that you have been seriously considering Path since early on. Also, it might add things to talk about in your personal statement and if they ask you why you are choosing pathology. As far as actually appearing on your transcript, I imagine it wouldn't do too much, except make someone say, "Ooh that's nice, a pathology elective."

 

[Neddy]

Hello all,

I'm looking for some advice. I'm a second-year student with considerable interest in doing path. I have the opportunity to do a semester-long elective that serves as an introduction to practicing pathology -- rotating through the departments, lectures, etc. Besides exposure to the faculty and getting a better idea of what pathologists do, will this hold any weight when I apply for residency?

Thanks

Showing an early, serious interest in any field is always a plus come application time.

 

[mlw03]

Hello all,

I'm looking for some advice. I'm a second-year student with considerable interest in doing path. I have the opportunity to do a semester-long elective that serves as an introduction to practicing pathology -- rotating through the departments, lectures, etc. Besides exposure to the faculty and getting a better idea of what pathologists do, will this hold any weight when I apply for residency?

Thanks

please provide a little more detail about this elective. would it be during MS2 as sean said? during MS3? or a summer thing? or is it like a post-soph fellowship such that it'll have you graduating med school in 5 years?

if going concurrently with MS2 or MS3 i would think seriously about the time committment it would require - these are two very tough years of med school, and to take on a seriously demanding extra course at the expense of hurting your grades and possibly your step 1 score might not be a good idea. while i agree that an early interest in path comes across well come interview time, i would also think that if this ends up hurting your grades or step 1 score then it would not be worth it.

 

[TheCritic]

Hello all,

I'm looking for some advice. I'm a second-year student with considerable interest in doing path. I have the opportunity to do a semester-long elective that serves as an introduction to practicing pathology -- rotating through the departments, lectures, etc. Besides exposure to the faculty and getting a better idea of what pathologists do, will this hold any weight when I apply for residency?

Thanks

I would consider how much time you would be spending on this elective. I think it would definitely help you in several ways e.g. (experience, something to talk about, a letter, maybe research). However, you will have plenty of time to get exposure to pathology later, and this time in second year could probably better be used studying. You will never have the time you have in second year back so spend it wisely. If you really really want to do the elective then do it. But if you want to do it because you think it will give you a leg up.....it would probably be better to spend that time locked away on the top floor of the library studying. This will help your board scores and your general knowledge bank more.

The reason why I am saying this is because when I was in second year, I probably would have jumped at that type of opportunity as well, but now that I am a 4th year, I think it would have been a waste of time.

Just my opinion.

 

[BugEye]

Thanks for the responses.