Residency program category question

[mgm125]

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Hello,

I am a current second year med student at a lower ranked USMD program, and my interests are between IM, PM&R, family med, and neuro.

I think I will have a little bit of research on my CV by the time I apply to residency (a couple of ongoing curricular projects, 1 extracurricular right now). However, I do think it will be a small amount, as I do not intend to play the game in order to chase numbers.

Let’s say by the time I apply I decide to go IM. I know that there are academic powerhouse programs that place emphasis on research output, and thus will expect a high amount from their applicants. But is this all academic programs, or just the ones at the top of rankings? If the latter, where does one draw the line? I just ask these things in order to get a sense of how and where to apply in the future, thank you

 

[comp1]

You aren't applying for a research postdoc. You're applying for a clinical job. Your question is broad because you haven't experienced much clinical work as a physician, so I will keep the answer broad. Research experience is one of the least important and cared about aspect of your application at the vast majority of academic and non-academic programs in the vast majority of specialities. Further, it is honestly too early for you to consider a specialty. You may very well fall in love with psych or ob/gyn, you don"t know and trying to guess now is pointless. Where you actually apply should be based on geography. If you want to focus on anything right now,, focus on that. Remember, this is not med school. Statistically you will live where you match for the rest of your life. So you are going to apply to all of the programs in a given area. You don't have to worry about a "line.'

 

[mgm125]

You aren't applying for a research postdoc. You're applying for a clinical job. Your question is broad because you haven't experienced much clinical work as a physician, so I will keep the answer broad. Research experience is one of the least important and cared about aspect of your application at the vast majority of academic and non-academic programs in the vast majority of specialities. Further, it is honestly too early for you to consider a specialty. You may very well fall in love with psych or ob/gyn, you don"t know and trying to guess now is pointless. Where you actually apply should be based on geography. If you want to focus on anything right now,, focus on that. Remember, this is not med school. Statistically you will live where you match for the rest of your life. So you are going to apply to all of the programs in a given area. You don't have to worry about a "line.'

i really appreciate your response. Do you think despite the anticipated increase in the value of research items after the step 1 switch to p/f, it is still as you said one of the least important factors?

 

[s5260205]

i really appreciate your response. Do you think despite the anticipated increase in the value of research items after the step 1 switch to p/f, it is still as you said one of the least important factors?

As noted above, you are training to become a clinician/physician and not a researcher in medical school. This means that clinical competency, as demonstrated through performance on clerkships, letter of recommendations, and board scores would be the core aspects in your applications to residency. The traditional "top" schools often select for those with more research background because of their goal in training future physician scientists. However, a stellar research portfolio is unlikely to make up for much if you were to perform poorly on clerkships/board or have a less-than-excellent LOR, even in these research-heavy programs.

It is therefore highly recommended for vast majority of students to focus solely on their academics first-hand. There are exceptions however, and this primarily pertains to the ultra-competitive specialties such as surgical subspecialities (e.g., neurosurgery) or dermatology where a demonstrated record of research/interests in the field since even pre-clinical years would be in your favor. However, participating in research early should not affect your academics.