For more competitive specialities, how much research in med school is considered substantial and enough? One summer? Two?
1) Do a search. This has been asked frequently
2) Google NRMP Charting Outcomes - that will help you get an idea
3) Read the Research FAQ (link in my sig)
It's very difficult to get any type of meaningful research by doing summer work. You are not going to be able to make much of a contribution to any project that will be worthy of publication with a summer project. If you start over the summer between first and second year and then follow up with an elective, you might have a shot at an abstract but expecting that you are going to have much meaningful research over a summer is unrealistic.
Thanks. If you see someone else on SDN who has similar questions, then please refer them to it.I just got a chance to read that earlier today and thought it was exceptional. Thanks for putting so much time into that guide.
For competitive specialities, it's mostly expected that you do research during the summer though, right? Obviously, if it results in a publication, that's great. But even if it doesn't, am I correct to assume that the experience wasn't a total waste when it comes time to applying for residency?
Any question that abstract is probably not going to have a useful answer. Also "enough" is not the same as "substantial." Technically, "enough" is zero research, as it's possible to match any specialty without research.
That said, I think that for "competitive" specialties where research is expected, anything that isn't full time (e.g., Ph.D. or research year) or that doesn't result in a publication isn't going to be considered "substantial."
Is there much of a difference between presentations and abstracts?Agree with this. Your goal should be a publication or presentation. Abstracts, case reports, etc. are not going to be given nearly as much consideration.