Pathology shadowing

[Dr_Meow]

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Hi folks,
I'm a medical graduate working in clinical research and applying for pathology residency this year and I'm looking for training in Pathology field, I live in Chicago and contacted all the major Universities with no luck. If you can help me or know someone who can would appreciate it. Also if anyone is working on a scientific project and looking for help I'm happy to work.
Thanks

 

[Iceman24]

What's the point?

 

[Dr_Meow]

What's the point?

I'm interested in the filed and want to get more exposure.

 

[WEBB PINKERTON]

I wonder if Iceman24 does a teeth chomp when he posts messages.

 

[Unty]

Hi folks,
I'm a medical graduate working in clinical research and applying for pathology residency this year and I'm looking for training in Pathology field, I live in Chicago and contacted all the major Universities with no luck. If you can help me or know someone who can would appreciate it. Also if anyone is working on a scientific project and looking for help I'm happy to work.
Thanks

Lol try saying I’ll work on a research project with you for FREE. You will get responses.

On a serious note, I’ve seen people do observerships but it was through connections with one faculty in the department.

If you can’t get into any department, you may have to just do research with a high ranking faculty in the department such as chair.

University programs won’t just take you in to just hang out and get free exposure/education. You have to know someone. There’s also paperwork that needs to be filled out as well which is a hassle for someone that is not working for you.

I met a foreign grad who was actually working as a histotech. Really sad in my opinion to see someone relegate themselves to such a level. He was there late one night cutting tissue blocks. I did feel bad for him but I guess you have to do what you have to do to get an in with a program.

If I were you I would make sure you have great board scores if anything and pass the Step 3 before applying. That will help you chances.

 

[Dr_Meow]

I wonder if Iceman24 does a teeth chomp when he posts messages.

LOL indeed

 

[Dr_Meow]

Lol try saying I’ll work on a research project with you for FREE. You will get responses.

On a serious note, I’ve seen people do observerships but it was through connections with one faculty in the department.

If you can’t get into any department, you may have to just do research with a high ranking faculty in the department such as chair.

University programs won’t just take you in to just hang out and get free exposure/education. You have to know someone. There’s also paperwork that needs to be filled out as well which is a hassle for someone that is not working for you.

I met a foreign grad who was actually working as a histotech. Really sad in my opinion to see someone relegate themselves to such a level. He was there late one night cutting tissue blocks. I did feel bad for him but I guess you have to do what you have to do to get an in with a program.

If I were you I would make sure you have great board scores if anything and pass the Step 3 before applying. That will help you chances.

Thanks for the input.
I don't mind working for free (volunteering) to get some exposure. I did take step 3 and passed it and now just looking for experience.

 

[Unty]

The thing is you can’t really work in pathology unless you know what you are doing. You can’t gross, there’s no use in you previewing slides. You don’t want to work as a histotech.

The only way is probably to do research with someone preferably a chairman who can give you exposure in return for your volunteer work doing research. Maybe do pathology case reports or whatever. Work on a project getting a bunch of slides together and write a paper based on pathologic findings.

I would not do basic science or clinical research. That will not help your cause. Do pathology based research where you could publish in a pathology journal. Before you volunteer ask the person you are working with if you can also spend some time during signout in return for your research efforts. That is one way to get into a department. I would try to work with someone who publishes a lot. A chairman who has a lot of pull in the department abd who is willing to help you out. Not some lowly assistant professor. This can all culminate in you getting a good letter of recommendation for residency from someone famous and well known. If you get a good opportunity, you can kill three birds with one stone: publish a paper, get Path exposure and get a strong letter of recommendation from someone famous.

If you cant get any exposure, I would recommend the above tactic to get into a department.

Sad to say it but pathology is not a competitive field. Some mid to lower tier programs would love someone who has Path experience (can gross) and is reliable. I’ve seen program directors shout with joy after matching 3 applicants when they ranked 50 candidates. SMH.

During the interview season at some of the lower tier programs, the candidates look like the United Nations coming through the department.

You do have to show you have Path exposure however.

 

[ScubaV]

If you or a family member has some money and you're that desperate, there are programs that will let you do an observership for a few grand. No idea how to find them or who to contact though.

 

[Dr_Meow]

The thing is you can’t really work in pathology unless you know what you are doing. You can’t gross, there’s no use in you previewing slides. You don’t want to work as a histotech.

The only way is probably to do research with someone preferably a chairman who can give you exposure in return for your volunteer work doing research. Maybe do pathology case reports or whatever. Work on a project getting a bunch of slides together and write a paper based on pathologic findings.

I would not do basic science or clinical research. That will not help your cause. Do pathology based research where you could publish in a pathology journal. Before you volunteer ask the person you are working with if you can also spend some time during signout in return for your research efforts. That is one way to get into a department. I would try to work with someone who publishes a lot. A chairman who has a lot of pull in the department abd who is willing to help you out. Not some lowly assistant professor. This can all culminate in you getting a good letter of recommendation for residency from someone famous and well known. If you get a good opportunity, you can kill three birds with one stone: publish a paper, get Path exposure and get a strong letter of recommendation from someone famous.

If you cant get any exposure, I would recommend the above tactic to get into a department.

Sad to say it but pathology is not a competitive field. Some mid to lower tier programs would love someone who has Path experience (can gross) and is reliable. I’ve seen program directors shout with joy after matching 3 applicants when they ranked 50 candidates. SMH.

During the interview season at some of the lower tier programs, the candidates look like the United Nations coming through the department.

You do have to show you have Path exposure however.

Thanks a lot for the valuable information, highly appreciate it.