Research and Residency

[calmike2001]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I'm an MSIII and have no interest in doing research now or henceforth. However, I would like to go to the best IM residency that I can, to keep my options as open as possible for future fellowships etc. I've seen the posts about residency rankings, but these usually mirror the school's prestige in medical research. My questions are two fold:

1) Does my non-interest in research effectively exclude me from the "top" residencies in IM?

2) If you didn't want to do research, would the list of "top" residencies look any different than whats been previously posted?

I really appreciate your help!

 

[lf777]

Hi

I don't think that not having interest in research excludes you. You might still want to teach or be involved in medical education. Academic programs want academicians, and if you do that somehow that helps.

Also mentioned before: the "best" residency is the one that suits you. No good to be at a big "top" program if you could be happier in a small community hospital.

Just my 0.02

good luck
lf

 

[Hop Toad]

I had no published research, but had participated in a couple of different research projects. I landed at a top 5 IM program. I think it would be difficult to have no research background at all.

 

[dude]

hop toad

 

[Hop Toad]

Ask away. Everyone would like insight. 😉

 

[dude]

Hi

 

[Hop Toad]

1. I would not let the money decide where I went to med school. My state school was waaaaaaaaaaay cheaper than 40K, so picking it made a lot of sense financially. Plus I was already happy there as an undergrad.
2. People do not like to hear my approach to the preclinical classes. Basically I tried to attend as few classes as possible. I found that they bogged me down. The class moved much slower than I wanted to and it was just such a waste of time. I only attend when I really had to and digested the curriculum on my own. I definitely learn the best when I teach myself. I fortunately had a study partner that really needed to attend classes, but they still did not understand the material. So I taught and they kept me up to date on what if anything I was missing. This person is also at a top 5 program right now, so it worked for both of us. If I had to spend all those hours in class I never would have had the time or energy to absorb as much information as I did.
3. I elected to do a supplemental book for each area in preparation for the boards. My shelf exams were very high because of this and it paid off on the boards. Also really kept up on journals, etc. and listened to tapes of medical lectures often.
4. You can't be a good know-it-all unless you really know it all. Gather as much information as you possibly can and this will give you a tremendous amount of self confidence. Good grades and scores open doors. You need to have some research background. Things might have been easier at times if I have played the political games a little more, but I really wanted to have a life and be at the top of my class and I just had no time for the busy work stuff.

Boy - you have been following my posts. Good luck to you.

 

[dude]

1. I would not let the money decide where I went to med school. My state school was waaaaaaaaaaay cheaper than 40K, so picking it made a lot of sense financially. Plus I was already happy there as an undergrad.
2. People do not like to hear my approach to the preclinical classes. Basically I tried to attend as few classes as possible. I found that they bogged me down. The class moved much slower than I wanted to and it was just such a waste of time. I only attend when I really had to and digested the curriculum on my own. I definitely learn the best when I teach myself. I fortunately had a study partner that really needed to attend classes, but they still did not understand the material. So I taught and they kept me up to date on what if anything I was missing. This person is also at a top 5 program right now, so it worked for both of us. If I had to spend all those hours in class I never would have had the time or energy to absorb as much information as I did.
3. I elected to do a supplemental book for each area in preparation for the boards. My shelf exams were very high because of this and it paid off on the boards. Also really kept up on journals, etc. and listened to tapes of medical lectures often.
4. You can't be a good know-it-all unless you really know it all. Gather as much information as you possibly can and this will give you a tremendous amount of self confidence. Good grades and scores open doors. You need to have some research background. Things might have been easier at times if I have played the political games a little more, but I really wanted to have a life and be at the top of my class and I just had no time for the busy work stuff.

Boy - you have been following my posts. Good luck to you.

Hi

 

[Hop Toad]

1. Too numerous to list. Find a well respected text on the subject. There are many to choose from. I gave most of these to the girl across the hall from me when I moved out, so don't have the titles in front of me.
2. Problem based
3.I did not find this to be a problem, but remember I studied with someone 1st and second year that did attend the lectures.
4. Sometimes I feel like all of them. The pile gets pretty high at times. I always have several with me in case I have some dead time. JAMA, NEJM, The Lancet, Medical Letter, Audio Digest for IM and FP.

 

[dude]

Thanks Hop Toad.