So like... what should I be doing?

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JeremiahJohnson

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MS1 looking to go into a non-competitive specialty but at a top program (something in the tier of say, NYP-Cornell Internal Medicine). What should I be doing from where I'm at?

I'm at a "low ranked" school with a P/F curriculum (there is certainly internal grading, but the most that ever gets reported is top quartile, and for AOA minimum requirement is top 20% with far less weight on pre-clin). As someone who did a SMP that covered legit all this material and rocked it, I'm smooth sailing right now - I know it's early but I mainly sat back and played games the first 3 weeks and 100%'d our first exam. As someone who comes from a background of working full-time+ during school, I'm now sitting on what feels like a lot of free time and want to fill it with things to help me reach that "NYP-Cornell"-level spot.

I suppose the main things are:
  • Maintain my grades / shoot for top ~15%
  • Kill Step 2
  • Research
My own interests:
  • Improve/Master my Spanish ; use medical Spanish
  • Health and education out reach programs
Any recommendations on research, especially in these COVID times? Who should I reach out to, what should I look for? Trying to take all advice right now, if there's anything else I should add to the "main things" list lemme know!
 
Talk to the IM PD (or PD of whatever specialty you're interested). Let them know you're interested in getting involved in research. They usually can point you in the right direction of PIs who have a track record of working with med students, and you're likely to get a better response than if you cold-email PIs.
 
Talk to the IM PD (or PD of whatever specialty you're interested). Let them know you're interested in getting involved in research. They usually can point you in the right direction of PIs who have a track record of working with med students, and you're likely to get a better response than if you cold-email PIs.

Ooo that's good advice, almost everyone else I asked has just been "cold email and cross your fingers."

Thanks!
 
MS1 looking to go into a non-competitive specialty but at a top program (something in the tier of say, NYP-Cornell Internal Medicine). What should I be doing from where I'm at?

I'm at a "low ranked" school with a P/F curriculum (there is certainly internal grading, but the most that ever gets reported is top quartile, and for AOA minimum requirement is top 20% with far less weight on pre-clin). As someone who did a SMP that covered legit all this material and rocked it, I'm smooth sailing right now - I know it's early but I mainly sat back and played games the first 3 weeks and 100%'d our first exam. As someone who comes from a background of working full-time+ during school, I'm now sitting on what feels like a lot of free time and want to fill it with things to help me reach that "NYP-Cornell"-level spot.

I suppose the main things are:
  • Maintain my grades / shoot for top ~15%
  • Kill Step 2
  • Research
My own interests:
  • Improve/Master my Spanish ; use medical Spanish
  • Health and education out reach programs
Any recommendations on research, especially in these COVID times? Who should I reach out to, what should I look for? Trying to take all advice right now, if there's anything else I should add to the "main things" list lemme know!
You should be asking your Clinical Education deans and clinical faculty these questions and hopefully set up some networking. Even merely talking to people outside your school is networking.

In COVID times, data crunching is doable.
 
You should be asking your Clinical Education deans and clinical faculty these questions and hopefully set up some networking. Even merely talking to people outside your school is networking.

In COVID times, data crunching is doable.

Thanks! I wasn't sure who reach out in particular, but that seems like a great start - especially since I was in contact with them recently about something unrelated.
 
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