Research on an away

[ToasterThief]

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I'm lucky enough to be in a city with more than one radonc program and I'll be rotating at the second program. I've got a good amount of research under my belt at my home program, but how common is it to do research while at an away? I'd be doing it partly to gain some more contact with the away institution as I imagine it'd be at the top of my rank list. Should I pursue this or should I focus on my own institution for research projects in 4th year?

 

[Neuronix]

Since nobody answered this question... I'll say: it happens.

There are a few two month programs geared towards this sort of thing. For example, UCSF has a program you can search for where you spend a month doing research. Occasionally you hear about someone getting a clinical research paper published out of a month clinical elective from places that have a ton of clinical research projects going on.

As for whether you should try to do this, it depends. There's certainly no harm in trying it as long as you won't step on toes at your home institution.

 

[napoleondynamite]

Not only is it possible, but often times you are able to shine even more by doing a research elective than by doing a clinical rotation. Of course, that depends on whether or not you produce something and raise eyebrows at your work ethic and efficiency. It is difficult to complete even a small project in a months' time. If you sign up for a one month research elective, you should be prepared to work your tail off. But I have seen this work out for other students who have really impressed a program by cranking out a paper in a short period of time.