Two summers of research at same place for possible residency?

[658809]

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I did summer research at a school where I ended up truly enjoying the environment, culture, people, etc. I would like to do summer research again this summer, but have a few questions I would like some advice to work through!

-My school has a clinical skills summer experience that allows M1s to gain a lot of independence/ skill in working with patients. What are your thoughts on that versus doing research? I didn't do much clinical extracurriculars in undergrad, so I know this could be an area of skill development.
-Would doing 2 summers of research at a specific place actually appeal to that school when it comes to residency?
-I am interested in the research topic, of course, but am not sure if this is what I would specialize in. Does that matter at all?
-Although the lab is successful, I was unable to get on a publication from my first summer's work. The nature of the work during my first summer ended up being learning skills, trial/error, doing stuff here/there, etc. What's the best way to find out (by directly asking) whether a second summer would be more fruitful?
- What's the best way to start refreshing for Step One in the summer?

Thank you!!!

 

[Psai]

You will learn clinical skills in the clinical years. People don't care how long you did something. No more brownie points, it's about results now. Did you publish or present? It's better to publish in something you're interested in going into but people understand that students change their minds and they won't hold it against you. It helps but not as much if it's in something else. It takes time to learn how to do something. Bench work takes much longer to be productive than clinical work. It's better to hop onto someone else's project because of a higher chance of publishing and higher chance of a prestigious journal. If you just want to have your name on something, look for people who need help with a clinical project

Don't study for step 1

 

[addy]

-Would doing 2 summers of research at a specific place actually appeal to that school when it comes to residency?

I did this and am curious what people think about this with regards to increasing chances of matching...

 

[22031 Alum]

"Schools" don't match applicants for residency. Programs -individual departments under the umbrella of the school- do. At a program like where I am now, which tends not to attract applicants without local ties, any experience at our associated school may help show that you would be willing to come to the area. At a program like where I was before, which had people from all over vying for spots, it would only make a difference if you had worked with someone with some pull in the department to which you were applying.

 

[zero0]

Don't mean to hijack but I'm in a similar situation. I'm expected to join a lab for the Spring before my 1st year, but the PI has made it clear that they are still not near the point of publishing. Is it worthwhile to get some lab experience anyway? It is medically related bench research.

 

[658809]

"Schools" don't match applicants for residency. Programs -individual departments under the umbrella of the school- do. At a program like where I am now, which tends not to attract applicants without local ties, any experience at our associated school may help show that you would be willing to come to the area. At a program like where I was before, which had people from all over vying for spots, it would only make a difference if you had worked with someone with some pull in the department to which you were applying.

Thanks for the feedback. Adding on to that, could you please comment on how a medical student could decide whether doing summer research or taking time off (ex. 1 year) for research is more suitable? And what are some benefits vs. disadvantages to doing away research vs. home-institution research?