Research for IM

[Arewestilldoingphrasing?]

Does it matter what field your research is in for IM? Like lets say you published in some ortho journals, would that hurt you when applying to highly academic programs that it wasn’t IM related? Or will they see it as a positive you are interested in academics and are capable of producing deliverables?

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[IMreshopeful]

Does it matter what field your research is in for IM? Like lets say you published in some ortho journals, would that hurt you when applying to highly academic programs that it wasn’t IM related? Or will they see it as a positive you are interested in academics and are capable of producing deliverables?

I’m about six years removed from the current application process but in my opinion any research is considered pretty good as a medical student. I’m assuming you did ortho research with the intent to do ortho as a career and then switched to IM when you realized you liked it - in which case I think PDs should be cognizant about the fact that it is okay and normal to change your mind in medical school.

I would at least try to get involved with some sort of IM project and try to get some sort of productivity out of it, and have a good answer when interviewers bring up your ortho research. I can’t imagine having the research would hurt at all.

 

[Elixir6]

Does it matter what field your research is in for IM? Like lets say you published in some ortho journals, would that hurt you when applying to highly academic programs that it wasn’t IM related? Or will they see it as a positive you are interested in academics and are capable of producing deliverables?

Any research, especially anything published (original research > review paper > case > poster > abstract ) is great. At your stage demonstrating knowing the process of research through to publication is more important than the actual topic of research really. Published research can only help you.

 

[CatFactorial]

In your case, showing that you had the sense to ditch the bone saws bodes well.

 

[Arewestilldoingphrasing?]

I’m about six years removed from the current application process but in my opinion any research is considered pretty good as a medical student. I’m assuming you did ortho research with the intent to do ortho as a career and then switched to IM when you realized you liked it - in which case I think PDs should be cognizant about the fact that it is okay and normal to change your mind in medical school.

I would at least try to get involved with some sort of IM project and try to get some sort of productivity out of it, and have a good answer when interviewers bring up your ortho research. I can’t imagine having the research would hurt at all.

Does this hold true when applying to highly academic IM programs? (i.e. Penn, Columbia, WashU)

 

[IMreshopeful]

Does this hold true when applying to highly academic IM programs? (i.e. Penn, Columbia, WashU)

I think main things are still step scores, grades, letter of rec, AOA. Med school rank factors in there somewhere.

I have no concrete answer for you. If you publish stuff and get involved in research it will look better than not doing anything.