MD Should I take a research year for ortho?

[jpix]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hey all, MS3 stressing about what to do in my situation. I've been grinding research since M1 but some of my projects are in limbo, and I'm not sure if they'll be published by next september. Have also had a rough start to grades 3rd year, so I've been considering taking a year for research + building connections. Most likely not going to get AOA.

Background:
US MD
Step 1 P

Clerkships: H surgery, HP neuro, P OB 🙁

Research: 2 non-ortho pubs (1st author). 2 first author ortho papers should hopefully be submitted in the next few months. 2 other 1st author ortho papers in progress. ≥15 abstracts/posters, including podium pres at natl meeting.

Other projects ongoing, but in conception phase so unlikely to get much out of them by next year.

Obviously need to get as many H's as I can this year and kill step 2, but would a research year make sense for me? School advisors have told me not to apply if I dont have at least 5 Pubmed indexed papers. Ortho mentors have told me they recommend all students do one if they have the time. I'm a nontrad so I'd prefer not to, but I'm open to it if it can help me match and make up for my middling grades.

All thoughts and advice are greatly appreciated. Would love to hear from people who have taken a RY and how their experiences were as well.

 

[EthylMethylMan]

Per Charting Outcomes, matched ortho MDs had 23.8 abstracts, presentations, and publications. So assuming everything you listed pans out, you’d be up to at least 21. That said, the input of academic ortho attendings is very valuable, since they would know what kind of applicant gets ranked to match. If they recommend it, it might be wise to go for it. Might also be useful to sit down one-on-one with an ortho advisor at your school to look over your application as it stands in more detail.

Charting Outcomes (MD, 2024): https://www.nrmp.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Charting_Outcomes_MD_Seniors2024.pdf

 

[GoSpursGo]

Would probably do a research year, for 2 reasons. 1) having such a high quantity of abstract with few translating into a pub draws into question the quality of your research, and/or it sounds like you probably reused the same abstract at multiple conferences. These things are obvious when you look at an app.

2) I worry you are so focused on “grinding” research that it is affecting your ability to perform on your rotations. It may make sense to lighten the load now and plan to focus on your rotation performance, then turn your attention to research in your dedicated time.

 

[jpix]

Would probably do a research year, for 2 reasons. 1) having such a high quantity of abstract with few translating into a pub draws into question the quality of your research, and/or it sounds like you probably reused the same abstract at multiple conferences. These things are obvious when you look at an app.

2) I worry you are so focused on “grinding” research that it is affecting your ability to perform on your rotations. It may make sense to lighten the load now and plan to focus on your rotation performance, then turn your attention to research in your dedicated time.

I appreciate your input, its very helpful.

All of my abstracts are individual projects, or are multiple different abstracts spawned from the same project that we decided to combine into a single paper. Some are also from prospective studies, so unfortunately no real chance of a paper from them any time soon.

Unfortunately ortho research at my school is sparse and what I have been able to get on has been very self driven. My PIs arent research focused, so things move very slowly, which is why Im not sure how many "actual pubs" I can get by this time next year.