Research as an M-1

[TheCup16]

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Hi all. I was hoping for advice from matriculating students looking to conduct research during their first year, as well as current medical students who have been through the experience research during M-1 year. I'm not a hardcore gunner; rather I'm a solid, if unspectacular, student (3.5, 33) with a year of full time NIH research (in Neuroscience, w/ pubs). Although I am undecided as to my future specialty, I am largely interested in neurosurgery, and I was thinking that conducting meaningful research would provide me the best opportunity for a successful match, should I decide to go that route. Please understand though: I do really enjoy research/being in a lab, and am not "only" trying to enhance my CV.

For those entering in the fall: If you are considering, or have decided, to pursue research (in any field), I'd love to hear your thoughts. Are you doing it as a resume-booster, or because you truly love the field? Do you worry about juggling your coursework, some social life, and time in the lab/clinic?

For those who have already been down this road: How many hours a week did you work, and did you find that research as an M-1 significantly affected your in-class performance? How easy was it to find mentors in your chosen field? If you ended up matching in a specialty unrelated to your research interest, was the experience still beneficial? Finally, would you do it again if you had the opportunity?

thanks all,

The Cup

 

[Anka]

I did research during M1 (indeed, still doing it now in the clinics). I worked about 20-30 hours per week. The main impact it had on me was (1) I never went to class and (2) I had almost no free time. Totally doable, though, you have a lot more time than you think your first year, and to a lesser extent your second year. Trying to do research during clinicals is a true balancing act.

Best,
Anka

 

[kilmier]

I'm starting M-1 in the fall and I'm hoping I can do some small amount of research during the year while doing full time research next summer. I can't imagine taking on so much work that I won't be able to go to class (something integral to the way I learn) or won't have a social life. I'm hoping I can do this; I'd love to hear form people who might have attempted/succeeded.

 

[erasable]

I did research during M1 (indeed, still doing it now in the clinics). I worked about 20-30 hours per week. The main impact it had on me was (1) I never went to class and (2) I had almost no free time. Totally doable, though, you have a lot more time than you think your first year, and to a lesser extent your second year. Trying to do research during clinicals is a true balancing act.

Best,
Anka

Why 20-30 hours? In undergrad, wasn't reasearch more like 10hrs/week?
How long did it take for you to get a publication if any, working 20-30hrs/week?
Is it detrimental to do research, at the expense of your coursework?
Do most students do research M2 year?

 

[Labslave]

I did research during M1 (indeed, still doing it now in the clinics). I worked about 20-30 hours per week. The main impact it had on me was (1) I never went to class and (2) I had almost no free time. Totally doable, though, you have a lot more time than you think your first year, and to a lesser extent your second year. Trying to do research during clinicals is a true balancing act.

Best,
Anka

That's crazy. I'm interested in doing research, too, but nothing along the lines of 20-30 hours/week (the most I had ever hear of for an M1 student was 15-20, and she said most of the time it was more like just 15). 30 hours/week is like 6 hrs./day five times a week (or a little over 4 hrs/day 7 days a week). I guess if you work 8 hr. days on the weekends it might be doable...but that would be suicide. To each his own, I guess...

 

[vtucci]

It is possible. most of us do it during the summer between M1 and M2. Contact some neurosurgeons and see what projects they have. Lit reviews can be done quickly. Original research takes a lot longer.

 

[squareDR]

Hi all. I was hoping for advice from matriculating students looking to conduct research during their first year, as well as current medical students who have been through the experience research during M-1 year. I'm not a hardcore gunner; rather I'm a solid, if unspectacular, student (3.5, 33) with a year of full time NIH research (in Neuroscience, w/ pubs). Although I am undecided as to my future specialty, I am largely interested in neurosurgery, and I was thinking that conducting meaningful research would provide me the best opportunity for a successful match, should I decide to go that route. Please understand though: I do really enjoy research/being in a lab, and am not "only" trying to enhance my CV.

For those entering in the fall: If you are considering, or have decided, to pursue research (in any field), I'd love to hear your thoughts. Are you doing it as a resume-booster, or because you truly love the field? Do you worry about juggling your coursework, some social life, and time in the lab/clinic?

For those who have already been down this road: How many hours a week did you work, and did you find that research as an M-1 significantly affected your in-class performance? How easy was it to find mentors in your chosen field? If you ended up matching in a specialty unrelated to your research interest, was the experience still beneficial? Finally, would you do it again if you had the opportunity?

thanks all,

The Cup

I am about to enter my M1 year and have already found someone to work with. I have substantial research experience and working 10-15 hours in lab seems almost insignificant. However, it will keep me in touch with research and will be stimulating on an intellectual level since I am anticipating that the memorization aspect of med school will drive me crazy. I am married so my personal life is pretty full as well. I just figure as long as I have my priorities straight (husband/school-lab), I should be fine.

Also, you should check with your school if they "reward" you for doing research. I will be getting a tuition break for working just 10 hrs a week.

 

[Anka]

Why 20-30 hours? In undergrad, wasn't reasearch more like 10hrs/week?
How long did it take for you to get a publication if any, working 20-30hrs/week?
Is it detrimental to do research, at the expense of your coursework?
Do most students do research M2 year?

Hi,

I did about 20-30 hours per week in undergrad, too. The lab I work in now is particularly productive, and I had my first publication (albeit a minor one) in a few months. I also get paid, and it completely covers my living expenses. Because the lab does a lot of large animal surgery, and is run by surgeons, I learned a lot of basic surgery techniques, physiology, and [most importantly] how to work with a surgical team, and did really well on a lot of my clinical rotations as a result. As far as basic science, I felt well prepared for my exams, and did well. While I could have gotten an extra point or two by studying the extra 20-30 hours per week, I honestly wouldn't have been studying. I would have been playing video games or watching TV or something. My schedule sucked, but there was and continues to be a huge payoff, both personally and professionally.

To answer your last question, no. Most students do not do research during M1 or M2 (unless during the summer). Most of the people that psyched about research are doing an MD/PhD, and will have years of protected research time; everyone else just isn't that excited about it.

Best,
Anka

 

[TheCup16]

Anka,

Thank you for the thoughtful responses. I think your experience sounds incredible, and is exactly what I would *like* to do. That said, I think square DR's approach is more in line with a workload that I would be able to handle. Do you feel you would your work could have been similarly beneficial with a less draining committment?

Why aren't you doing MD/Ph.D, by the way? It sounds like something you'd be perfect for.

 

[Kimka83]

As an incoming MS1, I am certainly not an expert. But I have heard from current med students and some SDN superstars that it is best to just try out med school through the first exam block/evaluation before you get involved in research. That way you can see first hand how much studying you need to put in to get the scores you want (whether that is passing or honors or whatever). With a better idea of how much time you need to put into school, then you can sign up to work in a lab for the number of hours that works best for you. After all, it is important to find a good balance. I think that you will gain a lot more by finding out just how much time you have to give to research and beginning a few months into school . . . rather than starting a few months earlier and maybe being overwhelmed. I hope this makes sense. I do see where you are coming from. I really love my research and I am excited to start with a new lab in the fall/winter.

 

[jojo14]

I think the key to getting meaningful research in med school is actually 1. Truly wanting to do and enjoying research (which you seem to know already) and 2. Being consistent. Then, you just need to find your niche. As a new MS4, I have found that these seemingly obvious things has helped me decide what I want to do with my career and as a side bonus, has got me feeling way more confident in my upcoming res apps.

I started to do clinical research summer after MS1 first year with a bunch of people from my class (and a bunch of zealous premeds!). I worked 24-32 hrs/week. I also consistently came in to do research every Wed night my MS2 year (5-10 pm average). I also came in as much as I could my MS3 year. During my MS2/MS3 years, I really got to know my mentor, he suggested I apply for a grant, which I did and ended up getting, he also became my advisor, and I also worked on a number of studies that will most likely be published. I didn't get paid, but so what? Looking back, I have a great advisor, a grant, three papers, and a great letter of rec. Plus, I know a lot of people at that residency program and they know me before I've even done a rotation there.

Any other of the people I started with MS1/MS2 summer could have had the same things, but most of them just didn't stick with it, some wanted to get paid, and most of them just wanted "research" on their application. It's been my experience that everyone realizes medical school is difficult and I certainly wasn't expected to work 20-30 hrs/week while I was in school!

Find out who is doing neurosurgery research at your institution and find someone you click with who is doing research you like. Don't be worried if you can't get a paper or whatever immediately, put in your time doing something you really enjoy, and you'll be reaping the benefits later.