Utility of a research year between 3rd and 4th year

[shmerndawg]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hey guys,
I have a question about the utility of a research year. I am interested in doing a residency at an academic institution with good opportunities for translational research.
Currently I am working on an endometrial cancer study, (looking at elevated factors in African American vs. Caucasians in explaining prognostic differences between ethnicities), I have a Cyberknife clinical chart review talk and am planning to do research during the first two months of my fourth year in IGRT for lung cancer. When is it too late to decide to do a research year? Let's say hypothetically I enjoy the research I am doing during my fourth year and would like to take a research year to fully develop my research projects. When is it too late to decide to do this? Additionally, for those who matched, how much did a research year help your application? Thanks again for all of the help.

 

[koolaidkid]

Hey, I think that the projects sound great. Your call if you want to take time off, but I think it sounds like you're CV re. research is pretty buffed up.
If you really want to strengthen your app further, you might want to consider doing Howard Hughes or Doris Duke to provide funding for yourself. That's one more feather in your cap, and I think that the deadlines for these things should dictate when you decide to take time off. You can always back off from Howard Hughes if middle of app you decide not to move forward (i.e. during the application process). Additionally, esp. you want to do more clinical research, you may want to consider doing an MPH or something.
good luck.