research during step 1 study period

[dropout87]

Is it possible to begin a new clinical research project about 5 months before my step 1 date? We get 6 weeks of dedicated study time for step 1 before our third year begins. Should I bother doing research now or begin research during third year?

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[Flamen04]

No.

 

[JJMrK]

Anything is possible. It depends on how much time you are willing to put in. You may have to put it on hold for a while in the months immediately prior to the test.

 

[DermViser]

Is it possible to begin a new clinical research project about 5 months before my step 1 date? We get 6 weeks of dedicated study time for step 1 before our third year begins. Should I bother doing research now or begin research during third year?

Depends very much on the research project and what it entails and the commitment your PI expects from you. Regardless of your research, Step 1 is an objective metric. No point in having a lot of research if you don't have the other stuff that is important also.

 

[Samir Desai]

You can start a research project 5 months before Step 1 as long as it doesn't take away from your ability to really learn the material in your courses. As you know, the best way to prepare for Step 1 is to learn the material well during your courses, and then really make the most of your time during the review period.

If you do decide to start a research project before Step 1, let your research preceptor know about your time constraints. For example, you might tell your preceptor that you won't be able to do anything at all in the six weeks you have to review before the exam. Faculty understand that you are busy, and appreciate knowing when you can and can't put in the time for your research.

Problems occur when students don't keep faculty aware of what's going on.

Good luck with your research and on the Step 1 exam.

 

[Lysinee]

Step 1 is more important.

You can find another project during 3rd year.

 

[wanderer]

Step 1 >> Research. Research won't matter unless it's either published or in your field of interest. (In my case I did some research my first summer in a very different field than what I applied and got asked literally zero questions on it.) Step 1 always matters. Now if you can devote a small amount of time to the project and have a decent shot of getting it published then research isn't a bad idea.

 

[Samir Desai]

Without a doubt, Step 1 is more important than research. But it is possible to take a little time here and there to move things forward with a project. For example, you can identify a mentor, explore possible projects, choose a project, define your role, look for funding, etc. If you do some of the leg work before your research elective/summer, your time will be more productive and you'll be that much closer to publication or presentation. Of course, none of this is worth it if it affects your ability to study and do well on the USMLE.

 

[henmoutan]

well,No point in having a lot of research if you don't have the other stuff that is important also.thanks

 

[operaman]

Tough call man. While this is hypocritical of me, the best advice would be to focus on Step 1. If you approach any decent mentor about this, they should tell you that you aren't even allowed to show your face outside the library from January M2 until M3, much less work on a project. I hate that one test matters that much, but it does. Research matters AFTER you have a solid Step 1; it doesn't really compensate for a bad one.

On every interview I've been on, I see my Step 1 score handwritten on their cover sheets and circled; ditto for everyone else. In these days of p/f, code words, and nebulous class rank, it's the one objective metric people have to compare students across schools. Make it count.

 

[swoopyswoop]

i don't know what everyone else is talking about. you have FIVE MONTHS. just make sure you can skip out on it for the 6 weeks before the exam.

 

[Knocked Up]

Op, yes you could do research. HOWEVER, your future self may find yourself here:

Trying to relate to your current self a message. A message you will not be able understand currently. A message that does not make sense at the current time. You are ignoring this message right now because it can't possibly mean anything.

Is it dust? Or is a message? Maybe you need to do that research, maybe the existence of mankind needs you do that research? But what if your future self is telling you study? But wait, what if your future self is not a point where he or she fully understands the complexity of the situation? What if the initial message to study is short sided? What if at a later point at that later time your future self realizes that you needed to do that research? What if it is a good thing that you ignore your future self's messages to study and focus on that research, despite the fact that studying would have allowed you in the short time to get what you want right now, but in the long term you do something great? What if?

 

[dropout87]

Thanks everyone for your advice! I will put off the research project and focus on step 1 since I also want to learn the new pathology material well. I may start research in third year if time allows. Thanks again.

 

[swoopyswoop]

you have much more time during m2 year than m3 year but okay

 

[PL198]

Op, yes you could do research. HOWEVER, your future self may find yourself here:

Trying to relate to your current self a message. A message you will not be able understand currently. A message that does not make sense at the current time. You are ignoring this message right now because it can't possibly mean anything.

Is it dust? Or is a message? Maybe you need to do that research, maybe the existence of mankind needs you do that research? But what if your future self is telling you study? But wait, what if your future self is not a point where he or she fully understands the complexity of the situation? What if the initial message to study is short sided? What if at a later point at that later time your future self realizes that you needed to do that research? What if it is a good thing that you ignore your future self's messages to study and focus on that research, despite the fact that studying would have allowed you in the short time to get what you want right now, but in the long term you do something great? What if?

did you just take acid for the first time before you wrote this or something, I feel like I need to meditate now after reading that.

 

[whizatphys]

if you're not a 1st year medical student... but maybe even still pre-med, then you are a very sick and sad gunner.

 

[whizatphys]

but if you are neither of the two, and you are genuinely considering this, i warn that anything is not possible, contrary to what someone suggested above.