research and residency matching

[prepremed]

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Is the type of research you're involved in matter much when applying for a residency? I'm a 7 year undergrad-medical program and will be researching throughout undergrad. My school offers specializations in epidemiology and one in bioethics. Epidemiology is one of my main research interests, while the bioethics specialization is more customizable to whatever interests I have that may develop. My question is, does the type of research done in medical school have much bearing on a match? my research interests may obviously change

This has some good info on the subject
http://www.rxpgonline.com/postt86459.html

 

[Law2Doc]

Is the type of research you're involved in matter much when applying for a residency? I'm a 7 year undergrad-medical program and will be researching throughout undergrad. My school offers specializations in epidemiology and one in bioethics. Epidemiology is one of my main research interests, while the bioethics specialization is more customizable to whatever interests I have that may develop. My question is, does the type of research done in medical school have much bearing on a match? my research interests may obviously change

This has some good info on the subject
http://www.rxpgonline.com/postt86459.html

Depends. Research in anything is good. Research specific to the specialty you ultimately decide you like is great (because it gives you something to discuss at interviews that will actually interest the interviewer, etc). But most people change their minds at least once in med school, and probably more than once in a 7 year program. So it would likely be a waste to try and specialize your research from the get go. You are more likely to be wrong about your ultimate specialty than right. Because you cannot know so early, you may want to consider what a few folks do -- take a research year off after the second or third year of med school to target the specific field you have decided on, if you know.

 

[prepremed]

right - and I was interested in getting an MPH also, but obviously that, along with my residency comes later. I think for now I'll follow my interests (epidemiology) and see where it takes me.

 

[Bubblehead-to-MD]

right - and I was interested in getting an MPH also, but obviously that, along with my residency comes later. I think for now I'll follow my interests (epidemiology) and see where it takes me.

I don't think you can go wrong with epidemiology. I don't think there are a whole lot of specialties (if any) in which experience in epidemiology would not be of benefit.

 

[DrJosephKim]

This can really depend on what type of specialty you're interested in. Generally speaking, the competitive ones really want you to have some significant research background.

 

[bcat85]

Is it necessary to do research in the specialty you want to go into? So if you want to do ortho, should you do ortho research? The reason I ask is that I'm sort of into a research project on cystic fibrosis, and I would like to continue it, though I'm not really particularly sure I want to do a peds/IM residency.

 

[mikedc813]

In general, you don't have to do research in the field that you eventually apply for. This is especially true if you're early in your medical school career and have no idea what you want to do. It's better in this situation to at least do something than nothing. Obviously if you know what you have an interest in, it's best to focus in that area. I matched in radiation oncology which focuses heavily on research and know others who matched without even doing much rad onc related research (but they did significant research in other fields).

 

[beefballs]

dude do something that interests you, it will be more exciting/fun for you. You have plenty of time to let your interests dictate your pursuits. You are probably a smart cookie so do something that piques your interest

 

[prepremed]

Yeah I'm just going to enjoy undergrad and follow my interests. I think my residency is a long ways away and I can't prepare myself as I have no clue what it'll be in.