Taking a year off for research

[DrBB]

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I'm currently an M4 student interested in going into derm. I'm thinking about taking a year off to do research but am somewhat confused by the process.

I am scheduled to graduate med school in June, 2013, and so I would start the research year in July, 2013. However, would I apply to residencies for the following year? If so, I would apply to residencies in September 2013 and would start interviewing in November 2013. So really, I would only have 3 months of research under my belt, which isn't really impressive.

So my question is this: By taking "a year off for research" would I in reality have to take 2 years off for research? Or, could I apply for the next cycle with only 3 months of research under my belt?

 

[pupster]

I'm currently an M4 student interested in going into derm. I'm thinking about taking a year off to do research but am somewhat confused by the process.

I am scheduled to graduate med school in June, 2013, and so I would start the research year in July, 2013. However, would I apply to residencies for the following year? If so, I would apply to residencies in September 2013 and would start interviewing in November 2013. So really, I would only have 3 months of research under my belt, which isn't really impressive.

So my question is this: By taking "a year off for research" would I in reality have to take 2 years off for research? Or, could I apply for the next cycle with only 3 months of research under my belt?

Yawn...wrong forum perhaps?

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=13015754#post13015754

Thanks for your response. Just to clarify, I'm an MS4 and on my second 4 week anesthesia rotation. Also...residency apps are due in 2 weeks and I have to make my decision soon!! Leaning towards anesthesia 🙂

 

[drdan766]

some people take the year between 3rd and 4th yr off for exactly the reasons you addressed. I think your best shot at matching will be where you do your research, so consider finding a suitable research year as similar to finding your eventual residency in derm.