Research year vs. MPH year

[GladifImakeit]

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Hello. I'd like to take a year off at some point but am debating whether or not to do research or a masters. In all honesty, I am motivated in large part to increase my competitiveness for residency (not sure what). What do you think would be most helpful? Thank you.

 

[njbmd]

If you don't have the board scores and/or grades to enter a competitive residency, taking a year for a masters or to do research won't get your there. If your board scores on Step I are not competitive, then take Step II early and do well along with strong third year grades. At this point, you can't do much about your preclinical stuff or Step I since they are behind you.

If you are going to take time out to work on research, you need to get some kind of a degree (MPH won't do it) such as a Ph.D (won't get this done in one year). At this point, taking a year off isn't going to net you much that will make you competitive for residency. This isn't an either/or proposition Also keep in mind interruptions in your medicial school without a significant degree are not a sound idea. If you are dying for an MPH, get it during residency.

 

[abmd]

I was also considering taking a year off between M2/M3 or M3/M4 year to do research or a master's program. What are the thoughts on this? I heard that some residency programs won't consider you regardless of why you took off time even if it is research, if you take more than 4 years to complete your MD they won't consider you. Is this true?

 

[drizzt3117]

Hello. I'd like to take a year off at some point but am debating whether or not to do research or a masters. In all honesty, I am motivated in large part to increase my competitiveness for residency (not sure what). What do you think would be most helpful? Thank you.

Umm, didn't you get a 248/99?

 

[Mr hawkings]

Why would you add a whole year and possibly more debt to your education to do something you have absolutely no interest in. This is way beyond being miserable for an 8 week summer research stint that you dont care about.
I wouldnt do it unless you are actually interested in research or you actually want the MPH. I dont know if the percieved boost to your residency app is worth the extra time and money.

 

[GladifImakeit]

I would like to make myself a strong applicant in more ways than one. There's got to be something else I can do, especially since I might apply into a competitive field such as plastics. I'd rather get a masters (to me, studying and learning is a lot more fun than research) but your suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[GladifImakeit]

I was also considering taking a year off between M2/M3 or M3/M4 year to do research or a master's program. What are the thoughts on this? I heard that some residency programs won't consider you regardless of why you took off time even if it is research, if you take more than 4 years to complete your MD they won't consider you. Is this true?

Half of my class takes more than 4 years to finish, so I really doubt it's a huge detriment. Maybe it's my ego but I'd personally rather have a white coat that says something more than "MD," especially if it only takes one more year.

 

[Mr hawkings]

Half of my class takes more than 4 years to finish, so I really doubt it's a huge detriment. Maybe it's my ego but I'd personally rather have a white coat that says something more than "MD," especially if it only takes one more year.

It may not be a detriment but its not as much of a help as you may think especially since you'll be incurring more debt in the process.
Thats why i thought it would be be best if you do it cos you want to and not just a way to boost your application.

May i ask why half your class takes more than 4 years? Are they choosing to do so are are they remediating

 

[GladifImakeit]

So you don't think taking time off for research or a master's will help at all? There's no benefit other than my own learning?

I'm not sure what the deal with my class is but taking time off to do one of those options seems to be very popular. A lot of people, almost 25%, are in joint degree programs from the beginning.

 

[Mr hawkings]

So you don't think taking time off for research or a master's will help at all? There's no benefit other than my own learning?

I'm not sure what the deal with my class is but taking time off to do one of those options seems to be very popular. A lot of people, almost 25%, are in joint degree programs from the beginning.

I'm not saying it wont help. i'm saying that if you balance the time it ould take and the amount of debt you'd incur vs how much help it would be, i dont know if its worth it especially if you have no interest in the research or will never use the MPH professionally. If you're going to put yourself through something you have no interest in, there better be a big advantage to doing it.
I would rather spend a couple of elective rotations at the program i want and show them how awesome i am.

 

[drizzt3117]

So you don't think taking time off for research or a master's will help at all? There's no benefit other than my own learning?

I'm not sure what the deal with my class is but taking time off to do one of those options seems to be very popular. A lot of people, almost 25%, are in joint degree programs from the beginning.

I think doing a HHMI or the like could certainly help but unless you have strong weaknesses in your application like poor clinical grades you won't need it.

 

[starkcrazy]

I don't see how it would hurt to do a year-long research program... take it a bit easy after 3rd year. Maybe get some pubs. why not.

 

[Encephalectomy]

I think doing a HHMI or the like could certainly help but unless you have strong weaknesses in your application like poor clinical grades you won't need it.

I agree with this, if you know what field you're going into after third year and it happens to be uber-competitive, doing a year of field specific research and getting several publications should definitely help. I would shoot for HHMI or Dorris Duke fellowships

 

[vicinihil]

Doing a year of field specific research will be helpful especially if you're thinking of applying to a competitive specialty at a competitive location.

An MPH is good if you HATE research and feel like you'll NEED it later. If an MPH satisfies neither, then don't do it.

 

[WNT Signaling]

Also keep in mind interruptions in your medicial school without a significant degree are not a sound idea. .

What about an HHMI, Doris Duke, Fulbright, or Sarnoff year?

 

[JDWflash44]

If you are going to take time out to work on research, you need to get some kind of a degree (MPH won't do it) such as a Ph.D (won't get this done in one year). At this point, taking a year off isn't going to net you much that will make you competitive for residency. This isn't an either/or proposition Also keep in mind interruptions in your medicial school without a significant degree are not a sound idea.

I dont think this is very good advice. I know plenty of people that took a year off to do research because they wanted to match in a competitive field and said that it considerably improved their application. They had presentations at meetings, some had publications from that year, and all said they developed relationships with people in their desired field that led to strong letters of rec for their application.

That being said you have to have a reason to do it other than, "I did it to be more competitive." And if you don't know what you want to do, then it's hard to target people to do research with for the purpose of getting good letters. You have to have some interest in doing research going forward to make it truly worthwhile.

But, there are certainly people who become more competitive by doing a year of research you just need to have a bit more of a plan than it seems that you currently have. For example, I want to be more competitive for a plastics residency so I'm going to work with Dr X (chair of plastics at your med school) with the plan to make good connections for letters and get a few presentations/publications on your resume.

Good luck, but dont just go get an MPH so that you can put 3 more letters on your white coat, that sounds ridiculous.

 

[starkcrazy]

I dont think this is very good advice. I know plenty of people that took a year off to do research because they wanted to match in a competitive field and said that it considerably improved their application. They had presentations at meetings, some had publications from that year, and all said they developed relationships with people in their desired field that led to strong letters of rec for their application.

That being said you have to have a reason to do it other than, "I did it to be more competitive." And if you don't know what you want to do, then it's hard to target people to do research with for the purpose of getting good letters. You have to have some interest in doing research going forward to make it truly worthwhile.

But, there are certainly people who become more competitive by doing a year of research you just need to have a bit more of a plan than it seems that you currently have. For example, I want to be more competitive for a plastics residency so I'm going to work with Dr X (chair of plastics at your med school) with the plan to make good connections for letters and get a few presentations/publications on your resume.

Good luck, but dont just go get an MPH so that you can put 3 more letters on your white coat, that sounds ridiculous.

Yea I fully agree with this.

 

[drizzt3117]

Honestly if the OP goes to school in the city in their profile and got a 247/99 they dont need a research year to be competitive for any specialty.

 

[Mr hawkings]

Honestly if the OP goes to school in the city in their profile and got a 247/99 they dont need a research year to be competitive for any specialty.

On SDN, thats an average applicant. HE has no shot

 

[drizzt3117]

On SDN, thats an average applicant. HE has no shot

you're forgetting the prestige factor 😉

 

[GladifImakeit]

On SDN, thats an average applicant. HE has no shot

"she" please
I have no idea what I'll go into. Surg is the most fun but call sort of saps the joy out of it🙁