Taking a year off for research?

[Futuredoc1364]

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I am an MSIII and over the past few months I have decided that I want to do either ophtho or radiology. I have already done an ophtho elective and really liked it. I have finished medicine and am pretty sure I do not want to do that. I am also currently on surgery and I like it but I do not want to do surgery either because of how difficult the residency is. I have my radiology elective in March so I will get to know that field as well.

My preclinical grades were mostly P's and I got a 224 on my step I. I have talked to my school's advisor and he said the step score is not too bad but of course it is not as high as those program's averages. I have already done a research project in med school and I think we are in the process of publishing it. But still after taking a look at the requirements of those residencies I have decided to take a year off for research. Based on what I have been told it can only help my application and no program will look down on a year off for research. Even if I change my mind during the next few months and say decide to do family medicine or some other field I think research will look good on my application. What do you guys think? Of course it has its own drawbacks such as going through research application processes and also not being able to graduate on time.

I was wondering whether anyone has done the same and what research programs did you guys apply to or have heard of that are very useful? My biggest concern is being in a program that allows me to start my research in Aug of next year so that I can take my step II at the end of July. I will finish third year at the end of June and I want to take at least a few weeks to study for step II to do well on it to make up for my step 1.

I will have to contact my school's dean and request a leave of absence and of course I have to go through long application processes which means my winter break is gone.

Happy Thanksgiving! Any advice will be helpful...

 

[ropeadope1983]

I am an MSIII and over the past few months I have decided that I want to do either ophtho or radiology. I have already done an ophtho elective and really liked it. I have finished medicine and am pretty sure I do not want to do that. I am also currently on surgery and I like it but I do not want to do surgery either because of how difficult the residency is. I have my radiology elective in March so I will get to know that field as well.

My preclinical grades were mostly P's and I got a 224 on my step I. I have talked to my school's advisor and he said the step score is not too bad but of course it is not as high as those program's averages. I have already done a research project in med school and I think we are in the process of publishing it. But still after taking a look at the requirements of those residencies I have decided to take a year off for research. Based on what I have been told it can only help my application and no program will look down on a year off for research. Even if I change my mind during the next few months and say decide to do family medicine or some other field I think research will look good on my application. What do you guys think? Of course it has its own drawbacks such as going through research application processes and also not being able to graduate on time.

I was wondering whether anyone has done the same and what research programs did you guys apply to or have heard of that are very useful? My biggest concern is being in a program that allows me to start my research in Aug of next year so that I can take my step II at the end of July. I will finish third year at the end of June and I want to take at least a few weeks to study for step II to do well on it to make up for my step 1.

I will have to contact my school's dean and request a leave of absence and of course I have to go through long application processes which means my winter break is gone.

Happy Thanksgiving! Any advice will be helpful...

My advice is don't do it.

 

[RxnMan]

To become more competitive: I know of a few who are doing a research year to become more competitive. However, I believe that it's not worth the effort and the time for the relatively small gains in competitiveness. Many of my fellow fellows would have been able to match just about anywhere as-is. As one doing a research year out, I did the year because I wanted a research experience without limits. If you do a informal research year, after 4th year, it may well be looked down upon because it will look like you weren't able to match. A formal program - CDC, NIH-CRTP, HHMI - is different.

Step II timing: I started my program in August. Most programs have flexible start/stop times. My school gives us a month to prep for Step II, so I'm taking when I get back.

Programs: Click the research FAQ link in my sig. It has a number of the research year out programs listed there, with advice on how to get in and alumni experiences.

 

[rosiean86]

I am also in a similar situation. I'm interested in doing either Neuro or Int Med with eventual specialization in Nephrology. The thing that is really lacking on my CV is research experience. I'm considering doing the HHMI program. Stats wise, I think I'm in an ok spot-I mostly HP'ed my classes, with 2 P's and 1 H's, and got a 241 on Step 1. At this point, I figure I might as well try (only 1 month left before applications need to be in) and see how it goes from there-I think if I don't get in it won't hurt me too bad but if I do end up doing it it can only boost my application. Thoughts or advice?

 

[RxnMan]

Take a look at the Research Forum, there's a applicant thread there. Also the Research Forum FAQ.

 

[Buzz Me]

You're thinking of taking a year off after med school to concentrate on research, in order to bolster your CV?

It doesn't help as much as you may think. By the time you apply for the Match in the fall, you're only going to be a few months into your research year...certainly not enough time to complete and publish/present anything (unless you started in your MSIV year, or earlier). And applying for the Match at any time besides during your MSIV year is always considered a red flag.