Summer after M1 - Research

[qw098]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi,

I am from Canada and am interested in either going in Derm or Plastics. Considering these two are very competitive fields, doing research in the summer after my M1 is vital IMO. (I am currently in my first year, and would like to do my residency in the States).

I had a few questions regarding the process. Do most schools accept 1st year medical students to do clinical research so early in their formation? If so, any chance I could get some publications? Also, I was wondering how the process of me applying for this research positions works. Do I simply pick fifty schools and send out fifty mass e-mails asking to be taken as a research assistant?

Your thoughts and ideas are greatly appreciated.

 

[qw098]

Bump

 

[evilbooyaa]

Wait, are you a student at a US allopathic school? Or a student at a canadian medical school?

If the latter, is getting into US Derm or Integrated plastics considered reasonable? The reason I ask is because it would not be reasonable for at least 99.5% of IMGs to match in either of those two specialties. I wouldn't want you to waste your time with post-m1 research on an unachievable goal.

If it's the former (or you are bull-headed on doing research regardless) I would recommend that you contact the department from your medical school (if applicable) and ask to volunteer for a summer. Most academic clinicians have some project on the backburner that they can put you on and slap you as a 2nd or 3rd author. If you are more motivated, you can come up with a project on your own and try to get a 1st authorship out of it.

Besides that, cold-emailing heads of departments at various institutions would likely be your best bet. You don't have to pick 50 schools in 50 states, but possibly schools that are close to you or places that you have family in?

 

[qw098]

Wait, are you a student at a US allopathic school? Or a student at a canadian medical school?

If the latter, is getting into US Derm or Integrated plastics considered reasonable? The reason I ask is because it would not be reasonable for at least 99.5% of IMGs to match in either of those two specialties. I wouldn't want you to waste your time with post-m1 research on an unachievable goal.

I am a student at a canadian medical school. Uh-oh, so I should be worrying that I won't be able to get into a US Derm or Integrated plastics. 😕

Why is that?

 

[lajidechu]

that right,I should be worrying that I won't be able to get into a US Derm or Integrated plastics

 

[alpinism]

Because its extremely hard for even US students with great stats (step1/clinical grades) and multiple publications to match in Derm or Plastics. Not saying its impossible, just very difficult.

To answer your question, yes you should start emailing faculty (PIs) at schools. Just tell them you are a med student interested in doing a summer research project. Many departments already have programs in place for med students and/or have multiple projects available that could be completed over the summer.

 

[evilbooyaa]

I am a student at a canadian medical school. Uh-oh, so I should be worrying that I won't be able to get into a US Derm or Integrated plastics. 😕

Why is that?

As stated above, there is a significant amount of self-selection for students that may have been interested in Derm or Integrated plastics. On TOP of that, there is a fair amount of students applying (to at least derm) that do not match in Derm. If it's a problem for AMGs, it's going to be a problem for IMGs, even those from Canada.

 

[qw098]

As stated above, there is a significant amount of self-selection for students that may have been interested in Derm or Integrated plastics. On TOP of that, there is a fair amount of students applying (to at least derm) that do not match in Derm. If it's a problem for AMGs, it's going to be a problem for IMGs, even those from Canada.

What do you mean exactly with self-selection?

 

[evilbooyaa]

I mean people who might want to go into derm/plastics but don't have a 240+ (or minimally a 230+) on Step 1 (without personal connections, extensive research or other extenuating circumstances that would still get them a residency spot).

They realize that they don't have a good chance of matching and pick another specialty to apply for instead (they don't apply to derm/plastics at all since in order to be taken seriously it is a lot of work). This results in the total # of applicants dropping, which leads to a higher % match rate.

 

[notbobtrustme]

The best place to do research is at your home program because you can continuity in the research. Most people going into Derm/Plastics do research for more than just the summer, so it's important you have a research project that you can follow for those years.

Secondly, you should be concentrating on the Canadian match for plastics/derm. The US match is extremely competitive even for those who do everything right.

What do you mean exactly with self-selection?

People who want to match into these fields but lack the scores/research/grades won't apply to residency programs because they know they won't match. Given that it's difficult for those who score a 240 on their Step 1 exam to match anywhere, if an applicant scores a 220, chances are they won't even bother applying to Derm/Plastics.