Please Advise Attendings/Program Directors/Residents

[DermHopeful1234]

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Okay here is my situation:

2nd year medical student at a mid-tier east coast medical school.
Right now, I am enrolled as a dual degree student MD/MSc, with my Masters in Clinical Research (these are newer programs and are growing in popularity across the country with an emphasis on clinical and translational research).

Through the first two years of medical school (at my smaller school) I have worked part time in the lab right now I have:
1) A national poster presentation (1st author), Derm Related
2) Two papers submitted to top tier derm journals as 3rd and 5th author

My research is in a NON-derm department but has a Derm focus. I am going to start in the lab full time for one year after Step I. However, I am having concerns:

To complete the masters I must stay at my home instituition. The lab I am in is great except that is going through flux (staff turnovers), the PI often has very busy clinical responsibilities and is not available in the lab, and although the research is Derm focused it is NOT in a Derm Department. Unfortunately, there is no other serious Derm research taking place at the schools Derm Department or in other departments

Everyone is telling me if I am interested in Derm that I should be going to a big name school to do research for a year: NYU, Penn, etc (but I would then not be able to complete my Masters Degree) ( I really do not want to take one extra year for my Masters and then a second year of research somewhere else--I rather do more research during residency or immediately post-residency/fellowship)

I am really at a loss if I should a) stick it out for my Masters in my current lab b) lose the masters and go somewhere else for the year (obviously, like any Derm applicant I have fears of not matching so as of right now that is my biggest concern)

Btw, I am not sure if this changes anything but the school is paying for the Masters Degree. Any help would be appreciated.

I would really like to hear from attendings or PD in academic departments (because I am really interested in Academic Dermatology).

 

[ChocolateKiss]

DermHopeful- try posting your question on the DIGA forums if you want to hear from program directors. They don't post on these boards. This is more for residents and medical students.

Here's the link to the DIGA site: http://www.derminterest.org/

Good luck.

 

[cancerman51]

I would stick it out in the masters program. may people do a year of research or whatever, but you are in a degree program which will help you to stand out a little bit. it also seems that you have been productive during this time, and that is huge. doesn't matter so much if the lab isn't in derm, or your school isn't the best as long as you are publishing decent stuff.

 

[werd]

yeah, i'd stay with your masters. i don't see much help to your application by doing the away/research/pain in your butt option.