Research vs. shadowing - what's better

[emtffogrady]

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I'm at a school in Canada that offers a special research designation that can be added onto your MD - it requires a total of 24 weeks of research over the summers after M1 and M2. If I did this program, I'd have that special designation on my dean's letter for residency match. However, due to the amount of time required, it'd leave me only a total of 3 weeks off over the course of those 2 summers put together - this means minimal opportunities to shadow different dermatologists (let alone vacation 😛). Would the extra 24 weeks of research experience (I have little undergrad research and no pubs or abstracts) and the special designation be worth it? Of course, I would shadow a bit during the academic year, too. Now, note that I'm talking about shadowing, I can't do a formal derm elective until year 3 starts. Or should I just do 1 summer of research, pass on the extra designation on my diploma and the dean's letter, and spend the other summer shadowing and otherwise building up contacts in the field before doing formal electives?

Thank you.

 

[asmallchild]

Don't know what shadowing would add, definitely recommend research instead

 

[opencomedo]

Research, hands down... the most important part of the research being that it produces publications (non-derm research that publishes is better than derm research that doesnt), 24 weeks is a good block of time to be productive in. Giving up that summer vacation time is pretty hard but it is worth it if it pays off... Doing it however, is no guarantee you will get a spot, it will only help (I assume Derm is just as competetiive in Canada as it is in the U.S.)

 

[Dermguy]

research. Get your name on some papers.

 

[cancerman51]

definitely do the research. you can vacation in residency.

 

[N-Surge]

Ditto, do the research.

Not to be a sour apple, but shadowing is something a MS1 or even a pre-med (MS0) can be involved in. It's a great way to see if you want Derm. But I am assuming this is a non-issue for you.

Once you hit MS3/4 you can do the REAL DEAL and get the Derm on the transcripts! 🙂

 

[emtffogrady]

Thanks for your feedback!

And yes, derm is just as competitive here, largely because there are so few residency spots - only 17 throughout the country. 5 of these French-only and another 2 expect you to gain a working knowledge of French throughout the residency (so you pretty much have to take French in/before med school to demonstrate that you are willing to go the distance). There is also the fact that board scores are basically irrelevant, so reference letters and extracurricular involvement become crucial to the success of your application.

 

[opencomedo]

I would recommend additionally that you learn French...

 

[emtffogrady]

I would recommend additionally that you learn French...

Already on the ball for that one...not fluent, so I can't apply to French-only programs, but I have enough background to become fluent over the course of a 5-year residency.