Summer research vs Teaching instructor

[cyanide12345678]

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So I need to decide between having a summer teaching position vs doing summer research. And I'm having the hardest time in choosing. I guess the big question is, how much does research or a publication help a person while applying for residency programs. Here is a summary of both options.

Research
- Apparently one of those things that you need to do to make you competitive for competitive residency programs.
- Possible publication. The physician I will be working for has helped students that have worked for him atleast one publication of some form (abstract, paper, or poster at a conference).
- Chance of a solid letter of recommendation from the chair of the urology department.
- 10 weeks long

Teaching
- I love it and want to do it lol 😛
- Instructor at a program which introduces basic science and lab techniques to under represented 7th and 8th graders. Essentially you're teaching them things that one learns in introductory lab courses in college.

http://www.dallasnews.com/news/educ...-nurtures-young-scientists-future-doctors.ece

- The program director is a former hand surgeon (possible LOR?)
- 6 weeks long


So the big question how much of an advantage does having a publication have when it comes to residency applications.

 

[BlaseFaire]

I'm a former teacher and have this dilemma too. I am opting for the teaching position.

Do you have any research experience already? If you do, then you can probably just go for the teaching position without worrying. If you don't have research experience then you can have to weigh how important it is to you that you get your name on an abstract or paper.

I am a first year and feel like this will be my last opportunity to dedicate solid time to teaching others. Also, I feel that research opportunities will always be available (I hear a lot of people publish during their third year).

Plus, if you're into teaching it's another thing you can talk about on residency applications. Teaching is a big part of medicine.

I hope that helps--those are just some thoughts off the top of my head.

 

[cyanide12345678]

I'm a former teacher and have this dilemma too. I am opting for the teaching position.

Do you have any research experience already? If you do, then you can probably just go for the teaching position without worrying. If you don't have research experience then you can have to weigh how important it is to you that you get your name on an abstract or paper.

I am a first year and feel like this will be my last opportunity to dedicate solid time to teaching others. Also, I feel that research opportunities will always be available (I hear a lot of people publish during their third year).

Plus, if you're into teaching it's another thing you can talk about on residency applications. Teaching is a big part of medicine.

I hope that helps--those are just some thoughts off the top of my head.

I've done two years of research during my undergrad, but no publications. That's why I feel like I really need a publication to help me in the long run. It's just that I know career wise it is a better decision to do research and get some publication. But at the same time, I enjoy teaching so much. I was a TA for 5 semesters during my undergrad, and loved EVERY bit of it.

Right now I'm interested in EM or anesthesiology (ofcourse likely to change after 3rd year rotations). Both are somewhat competitive but not impossible to get into. Any other opinions 🙂 ?

 

[rocketbooster]

Research. No one cares about other ECs

 

[BlaseFaire]

I would do research then. Get those publications.

 

[Guillemot]

Do whatever you want bro, but definitely still tell both of them you are game. Then just bail out at the last second on the one you dont want. They'll probably be like "WTF"