research before med school

[EveeSTi]

---

Members do not see this ad.

It's my understanding that to get into a competitive residency I need to have done research (preferably in the desired specialty) prior to applying. I took a year off before med school to do research, will that help towards satisfying the research criteria? I got 6 or 7 pubs out of that year, and I seriously doubt I'll be that productive once I'm in school, so I want to know if I need to get started with research in my MS1 year, or if I can just try to focus on classes.

 

[TexasPhysician]

Yes, you can put those pubs on your CV. I'd stick with classes first year, and consider research (if you want to) during that first summer.

 

[skijumpbump]

I got 6 or 7 pubs out of that year

Wow, that is a really impressive research record. I am sure it would make a positive impression on people making residency decisions. Just out of curiously what field of research where you able to publish this many articles in a years time?

 

[MassTransport]

6 or 7? That'll be plenty. You won't have time for research during the school year (probably), go do something fun that first summer.