Volunteer research year between MS3-MS4?

[LigamentumTeres]

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Hey derm forum goers, here's my situation. After doing IM, FM, and ambulatory, I've decided that dermatology is the career for me and that I'm super interested in basic science research. I figure the best way to go about things at this point is to take a year off for research which gives me time to establish my interest in the field, have enough time to accomplish basic science research, and to also accomplish other ECs I have going on outside of medical school. My derm PI already has a project ready and waiting to go, should be fruitful too in regards to publications. I will also have time to publish case reports w/ some of the residents on my own.

My question to you guys is how does it look if I don't end up getting HHMI/doris duke/whatever funding for that year off and just volunteer in my basic science derm lab? I'm fortunate enough that my parents live close enough to my school that I can just live at home and commute to my lab.

For some stats:
Step 1: 253
True P/F school, so no grades first 2 years
Honors in IM so far (unknown about the other two rotations at this point)
Research in another field during summer MS1-MS2 in an unrelated field + poster presentation
6 pubs in unrelated field from undergrad
Patented application + provisional patent on a non-derm related device/idea
Various leadership roles while in med school