*solved*

[neuroiguess?]

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[wanderingorion]

What is the timeframe you initially planned for the project? You have a few months (which is how long your M1 summer would've been), so you can work on it now, especially if supplies bought with funding have arrived. I think you can juggle it, and just pause/slow down the project for dedicated.

 

[frenchyn]

I'm currently an M2 at an MD school. This past summer, I'd received funding to perform a basic science research project that is related to my field of interest (neurosurg). However, I was unable to obtain lab access for most of the summer due to COVID-19 restrictions. This left much of the project as a rollover to the fall.

During the fall, my PI had forgotten continually to order the supplies I required (and earned funding for) to complete this project. I couldn't get anything done until these supplies came, and they did not arrive until just a couple days ago. Now, still with nothing done on this project, I have a handful of options

1) Try to complete this project now and in January, all the while knowing I will sit for the Step 1 exam in March.
2) Schedule an elective research rotation into my M3 year and get the project done then
3) Quit the project, return the funding, and cut my losses so that I can have more time to pursue clinical projects next year

Please let me know what is the best course of action for my goals. I have published many high-quality articles with the laboratory already, but I'm also concerned that quitting would lead to the PI of the lab (a neurosurgeon) being unable to recommend me as an applicant for residency.

That being said, I'm also concerned that trying to get this done right now with Step coming up is a bad idea, as I don't want my score to suffer. Any and all thoughts are appreciated. Thanks!

Did you discuss it with your PI? What did he recommend you to do? I think the best option is what your PI recommends you to do instead of any of us.
1. is a problem obviously step 1 is more important. Sound like you are already very well published. Will this project add any benefit to your profile? If not and you PI rec to not do that, then I would not.
2. The problem with this option is if during M3, you may not get it submitted by the time you submit eras so again, do you really need this to make you more competitive in term of research.
3. Again, talk to your PI, but if you can keep it, it would be a nice to finish the project at the right time

 

[neuroiguess?]

Thank you both for the replies! I think my best bet is to try to get it done now.