Some "Getting a Residency" books site "published research" as 4th in importance

[hopeful2007]

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Desai and Katta in "The Successful Match" site published medical school research as 4th in importance for the psych residency selection process. This is after the first three criteria of clerkship grades, honors grades, and grades in psych electives. Step 1 and Step 2 scores are ranked 11th and 8th, respectively. Wow!

I was wondering how many of you guys out there have published research, and whether this has affected the responses you're getting from more competitive programs. I am pretty shocked that this ranks so high.

A little of my background, I a US citizen FMG, in my third year. I haven't been successful finding research opportunities at my school. I already completed my psych clerkship, and really didn't see any patients that seemed challenging enough or appropriate for a case report. I am concerned because I thought my Step 1 score of >250 would make me pretty competitive when I start the app process next September.

So, how about it? Do you guys have research? Are the competitive programs being picky about this, in your experiences?

Thanks everyone!!

 

[Bartelby]

I could be wrong but saying that step 1 and 2 scores are irrelevant (8th and 11th factors really = irrelevant) and that pretty much all that matters are good clerkship grades and research seems really strange. It doesn't fit with anything else I have heard about applying for residency in any field. Maybe it is different if you are not a US graduate but I think a more realistic list would look something like:

1/2- step 1
1/2- clerkship grades + narrative comments
3- LORs
4- step 2
5- Unique personal accomplishments (including good research experiences)

That's just my guess. I think psych is also strong on the "personal interest" emphasis, so having done activities that show interest (including psych-related research) would be a plus. Also, I think community based programs might have a different focus than big academic centers would.

 

[nitemagi]

I think Bartelby has a good handle on it. Research is definitely a factor at research institutions (think of it as a +/- checkbox on a list of reasons to invite someone for interview), though not a lower priority than other things. Psych looks a little more at the total package -- research may make up for a deficiency elsewhere, but isn't higher than step 1 score, IMHO. Step 2 score is less of a priority, unless as compensating for a low step 1 score, or the red-flag of failing CS.

 

[psych]

I'm a 4th year applying this year and I really hope this isn't true. I have an excellent step 1 score and was hoping it would make me somewhat competitive. I didn't do any research and do not have anything particularly impressive on my CV.
I honored everything but 2 classes (got HS) in the first 2 years but apparently no one cares about pre-clinical grades.
As for 3rd year, I only honored psych and family med and got HS in medicine, surgery, ob/gyn and peds. I do have a question about this... I was wondering if this would be considered "good" or just average... I did get honors in a child elective.

 

[billypilgrim37]

A Step 1 score is only important if it is bad. A really good one just isn't that much more important than a decent one. I don't think scores of 250s help FMGs or IMGs any more than getting a "good enough score." If anything, in the US citizen FMG case, it makes me wonder, "Gee, this person had the cognitive ability to get a 250 on Step 1. If they are that smart, why did they have to go to a Caribbean school?" There are plenty of decent reasons why that could happen, but there are also plenty of bad reasons that could happen too.

 

[digitlnoize]

Just read the NRMP Program Directors Survey. Has all the info you need.

http://www.nrmp.org/data/programresultsbyspecialty2010v3.pdf

 

[flash]

See above responses. There is absolutely nothing else to 'learn' beyond them. There is considerable variation in what programs look at, differences between particular programs and personalities of decision makers, likely difference between top tier vs. 2nd vs. 'bottom'. Just apply, work on interview skills and presenting yourself (only thing you're in control of imo from here on in), and see what happens. Difficult paradigm shift for some but I suggest you really try to move toward it or some form of it.

It'll all be fine.

I was unable to take any of this same advice during the match process, was so neurotic about it and wish I hadn't been. 🙄

 

[cleareyedguy]

I'd rank them as
1. Reassurance
2. Stardom
3. More reassurance

Anything that worries them is big, whether it be an unexplained failure, rudeness, laziness, etc. Research is in the stardom category. Top tier programs can more-or-less expect some whiff of stardom from most successful applicants (though "research" stardom is broadly defined and can include any type of success, including administrative), but most psychiatry programs do not view research as a deal breaker--further, great research does not really compensate for poor grades or dean's letter warning signs.

 

[Chimed]

I know things have changed since 2007, but I don't know if you need to have published research to stand out. However, some experience probably helped me out since I had very average Step scores.

My background:
- Low average Step 1 and 2 (did pass on first attempts)
- Honors in all psych, but nothing else
- Excellent LOR (I'll say "glowing" not to be conceited, but just to be honest)
- Research "experience" in autism and neurology, but was unable to get a publication before applying. I did, however, get an award for a poster and some research experience I did.
- Interesting background - Religion degree and stuff such as that.
- Interview very well according to feedback.
- Went to fairly well known mid to upper mid tier Allopathic med school, but certainly not an ivy league school.

With that background, I got interviews at just about everywhere I applied including Penn, Yale, Hopkins, Pitt, UMich, Duke...Only "well known" residency that didn't grant me an interview was Columbia. I didn't apply to any Harvard programs, so hard to say if they would have looked at me.

 

[JamesPhilly]

..

 

[EM Doc to be]

Desai and Katta in "The Successful Match" site published medical school research as 4th in importance for the psych residency selection process. This is after the first three criteria of clerkship grades, honors grades, and grades in psych electives. Step 1 and Step 2 scores are ranked 11th and 8th, respectively. Wow!

I was wondering how many of you guys out there have published research, and whether this has affected the responses you're getting from more competitive programs. I am pretty shocked that this ranks so high.

A little of my background, I a US citizen FMG, in my third year. I haven't been successful finding research opportunities at my school. I already completed my psych clerkship, and really didn't see any patients that seemed challenging enough or appropriate for a case report. I am concerned because I thought my Step 1 score of >250 would make me pretty competitive when I start the app process next September.

So, how about it? Do you guys have research? Are the competitive programs being picky about this, in your experiences?

Thanks everyone!!

I would read "Roadmap to a Successful Match: A Resident's Perspective" by Dallas Wright, D.O. It is a much shorter book and written really well. It walks you through the application, interview and clerkship and tells you what program directors are looking. I was unsure about the match because my application lacked research. This book really helped me put everything into perspective. I feel much more confident now.

 

[slappy]

I would read "Roadmap to a Successful Match: A Resident's Perspective" by Dallas Wright, D.O. It is a much shorter book and written really well. It walks you through the application, interview and clerkship and tells you what program directors are looking. I was unsure about the match because my application lacked research. This book really helped me put everything into perspective. I feel much more confident now.

Okay, Dr. Wright.

 

[EM Doc to be]

Lol, Im not Dr. Wright. Just excited cause it was the first book I bought about the match