Second research year?

[Ampharos]

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Thanks for checking out my thread, I appreciate your time.

I'm about to wrap up my masters year (1 year off) and am absolutely loving my research. I've had an amazing year working with my home dermatology department (faculty are awesome!), and have had a really productive experience. I have been offered the opportunity to extend my research time for another year (funded) and am wondering about the potential drawbacks of taking another year (6 years for med school now?). I've been advised that another year won't add too much to my residency application in terms of research (currently have a dozen or so papers, many in the big four derm journals), but that I should if I really want to. Currently leaning toward taking another year because the research is fascinating and I love working with my faculty mentors. If it helps, I definitely want to stay in academic dermatology and imagine myself in a physician-investigator role later on.

Would really appreciate any sage advice -- thank you!

 

[dermie1985]

I think it's a personal decision. I probably would err on the side of just going into residency. From your description, it seems like you already have an good background in research if you've published a lot and gotten a master's degree. In other words, your yield in terms of building "new skills" from another research year that you couldn't accomplish in other capacities is probably pretty low.

It's different at every med school, but 4th year is relatively chill and you can still do a lot of research while applying for derm residency. I think I spent about 6 months of 4th year doing research, including while I was on the interview trail - though my med school admittedly had pretty few requirements for 4th years. Could you ask about part-time funding / research ?

I'd also consider 2+2 programs if you've truly dedicated to the physician-investigator track. Those programs would also be funded and more directly focused on developing your "personal niche" in research and making sure you build the foundations for a career in *THAT* niche, not necessarily the niche of your current mentor. Long-term, this might actually be a better route to build the skills and connections that will get you towards where you want to go in academic dermatology.

Having said all that, medicine is a career/journey spanning decades, and 1 year is not very much in the long scheme of things. So, if it's something you feel strongly about, go for it.