Research between M1 and M2

[YoungDoc25]

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Incoming M1 here. How early is too early to contact a home PD about wanting to get involved with research? Is it more common to inquire about shadowing first? Definitely not trying to be that guy contacting the PD week 1 of medical school, but I also don't want to wait too long and miss out on opportunities. What's worked for my fellow SDNers?

 

[FindMeOnTheLinks]

If only there was a search function that would reveal the countless threads on this very subject

 

[educ8r]

Not quite yet. Get your feet on the ground in med school first. Figure out how you're going to study, make sure you're doing well on the exams, get settled in. Start bringing up shadowing around December or so. Then if you're still interested in that field, ask around, see if there are some projects to get involved with. You'll want to start those conversations slowly: see who is doing what in the department, what projects are most aligned with your interests, what projects are most likely to get some results (pubs or posters) in the timeframe of med school.

 

[YoungDoc25]

If only there was a search function that would reveal the countless threads on this very subject

@ me bro

Not quite yet. Get your feet on the ground in med school first. Figure out how you're going to study, make sure you're doing well on the exams, get settled in. Start bringing up shadowing around December or so. Then if you're still interested in that field, ask around, see if there are some projects to get involved with. You'll want to start those conversations slowly: see who is doing what in the department, what projects are most aligned with your interests, what projects are most likely to get some results (pubs or posters) in the timeframe of med school.

I was hoping it would be around the second half of M1 so I could focus on staying afloat for a bit! Thanks!

 

[Fenixak]

I asked an ortho PI to do a research summer between first and 2nd year. Asked him 3 months into school and it helped me secure a spot. I received many pubs (articles, book chapters, abstracts, presentations) for my work. Ended up not doing ortho but was told how awesome my research was during many radiology interviews.

Do note that I worked a few weekends in 2nd and 3rd year to finish manuscripts and so on. It is not realistic to do everything in a few months.

 

[YoungDoc25]

I asked an ortho PI to do a research summer between first and 2nd year. Asked him 3 months into school and it helped me secure a spot. I received many pubs (articles, book chapters, abstracts, presentations) for my work. Ended up not doing ortho but was told how awesome my research was during many radiology interviews.

Do note that I worked a few weekends in 2nd and 3rd year to finish manuscripts and so on. It is not realistic to do everything in a few months.

Really good to hear! That's kind of my plan. Basically get a solid foundation/relationship during M1 and maintain it to maximize pubs. Sounds like it worked out really well for you!