Research/Pubs - is it a must to match?

[Doxie]

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Was talking to a recent graduate of an integrated plastics program. He made it seem that if you don't have 7-8 publications on relevant plastics topics that it will be very difficult to match plastics. This conversation convinced me that I don't have a shot at plastics, and I don't want to do 5 years of GS just for the chance that I might get a fellowship. What do you guys think? Are good board scores (250+)/AOA with no relevent publications enough? 😕

 

[dilated]

http://www.nrmp.org/data/matchoutcomes2006.pdf

you can look up the match outcomes and see that most people who matched had 1-5 pubs.

 

[TaoistDoc]

I read the stat Dilated was talking about. Those publications included posters and abstracts, and it didn't even mention whether the topic was in plastic surgery. But I agree that research is definitely a must. So if you have some research and some type of publication and AOA/250+ USMLE then definitely go for it.

 

[JayDub08]

Was talking to a recent graduate of an integrated plastics program. He made it seem that if you don't have 7-8 publications on relevant plastics topics that it will be very difficult to match plastics. This conversation convinced me that I don't have a shot at plastics, and I don't want to do 5 years of GS just for the chance that I might get a fellowship. What do you guys think? Are good board scores (250+)/AOA with no relevent publications enough? 😕

I'm not going into neurosurgery, but take a look at the most recent statistics:
http://www.nrmp.org/data/chartingoutcomes2007.pdf (not sure when NRMP will post 2008 data).

For US seniors only:
Mean Step 1 score: 241
25th percentile: 231
75th percentile: 251
Step 1 score between 251 and 260: 17/18 matched!
AOA membership: 31/34 matched!
0 research projects: 5/10 matched
1-5 projects: 67/109 matched
0 abstracts/presentations/pubs: 17/34 matched
1-5 abstracts/etc: 35/63 matched
(And as jason466242003 points out, these projects/pubs/etc. aren't necessarily plastics related)

Hence, assuming you are a US senior, if you have Step 1 250+, AOA, and any research of any kind, it seems you would have a decent chance of getting a spot. Just make sure to get awesome LORs and apply very broadly. And even if you have absolutely zero research of any kind, the statistics indicate it's still doable (50%), but definitely riskier. Of course, these statistics are very one-dimensional, so take them with a grain of salt, but they do give general guidelines.

Hope this helps!

 

[DrDre311]

I matched to one of my top choices and I had zero pubs. Plus I come from a state school with a plastics department whose national reputation is not good. It can be done.

 

[deleted144060]

I matched to one of my top choices and I had zero pubs. Plus I come from a state school with a plastics department whose national reputation is not good. It can be done.

I've said it before and I'll say it again...You can have the greatest numbers in the world, but if you can't interview well (or have a bad day, or remind one of your interviewers of some guy he knew in med school and hated), you will slide down the match list.

And as DrDre points out, I have seen matches without research, but they were great applicants with great letters. The idea is about maximizing your chances and research is one of the hoops to help that....not absolutely necessary, but really nice to have done it.

 

[DrDre311]

I should clarify: I did have 2 research experiences, but neither yielded a pub prior to interview season and only one was in plastics. As for the other parts of the app, I knew I was a reasonably strong candidate but good people skills and definitely luck are essential to match where you want in plastics.