Research in the US

[Faizankhan]

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hey,

I am an International medical student, I would like to know if its worth getting a two months US research experience while u are a medical student without having ur name on the publication but just getting a letter of voluntary participation from the mentor of that research project.

Would that letter be of any value when considering the applicant for the residency spot if the letter comes from a faculty member of some of the top medical school in the US?

Thanks and would appreciate your comments!!

 

[Winged Scapula]

hey,

I am an International medical student, I would like to know if its worth getting a two months US research experience while u are a medical student without having ur name on the publication but just getting a letter of voluntary participation from the mentor of that research project.

Any US experience is better than none, but the "gold standard" is US Clinical Experience which research will not provide. You want a letter from someone who can gauge your clinical and patient management skills.

But if you cannot arrange one of these (although I am not sure why you wouldn't be able to), a research elective would be better than nothing.

Would that letter be of any value when considering the applicant for the residency spot if the letter comes from a faculty member of some of the top medical school in the US?

Thanks and would appreciate your comments!!

Not as much as a letter from US faculty who worked with you clinically.

 

[IndyXRT]

hey,

I am an International medical student, I would like to know if its worth getting a two months US research experience while u are a medical student without having ur name on the publication but just getting a letter of voluntary participation from the mentor of that research project.

Would that letter be of any value when considering the applicant for the residency spot if the letter comes from a faculty member of some of the top medical school in the US?

Thanks and would appreciate your comments!!

Be very careful of any research experience that does not want to give you credit for your work. Everyone involved in the research in our department is listed on the paper. Depending on what you do and how large the project is, you may not have a prominent position on the paper, but you should expect to be listed in the author block or (at the very least) in the acknowledgements section. I also agree with everything Winged Scapula said.

 

[dragonfly99]

I would say go for it. A letter from someone well known is always helpful, though you need to prove your clinical competence as well somehow. Try to get a rotation at a hospital also...if you can.

I've been in research x several years, but when I worked on things as a med student for a month or two, I didn't necessarily get to be one of the authors on the paper (nor did I expect to). Usually if you are only doing something for 2 months you would never get publishable results anyway...I think sometimes surgical papers have a million authors, and you may get a publication from just 2-3 months work, but in some other fields that would be rare.

 

[Faizankhan]

Thanks for your comments! I have heard that foreign medical students sometimes get paid for doing research for such a limited time period? is it possibe?

What are the things that a mentor would look for in a student from a foreign medical school to call him for research assistance? just a desire to work from the student or something more like prior publications(mentioned in the CV attached with email)? W.scapula and indyXRT are attendings themselves so you guys please tell would you call someone from foreign country just for assistance in the research project??

Thanks

 

[Winged Scapula]

Thanks for your comments! I have heard that foreign medical students sometimes get paid for doing research for such a limited time period? is it possibe?

As long as you have a work visa.

What are the things that a mentor would look for in a student from a foreign medical school to call him for research assistance? just a desire to work from the student or something more like prior publications(mentioned in the CV attached with email)?

The same things I would look for in anyone. Interest, necessary skills and personality I could live with, perhaps even enjoy. This goes for a US citizen or a foreign national.

W.scapula and indyXRT are attendings themselves so you guys please tell would you call someone from foreign country just for assistance in the research project??

Thanks

I wouldn't call them but if someone inquired about a position and I felt they were right for it, barring any employment issues, I would choose whom I thought was best - American or not. American research labs are FILLED with foreign post-docs.

 

[Faizankhan]

If a medical student knows how to operate data analysis programs like spss and epi info, should it be mentioned on the cv? would this be of any value while considering someone for a research position in the US?

 

[Winged Scapula]

If a medical student knows how to operate data analysis programs like spss and epi info, should it be mentioned on the cv? would this be of any value while considering someone for a research position in the US?

You should definitely mention any computer skills, knowledge of statistical packages, etc.

 

[Faizankhan]

Thanks winged scapula......you are great!!!