What besides research?

[Pinkertinkle]

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For the competitive specialties like plastic surg, derm, rads, ENT, ophtho, ortho etc.. (the ones with step I >230), what besides research (and of course the prerequisite board scores, high rotation evals) can be done to improve one's residency application? It seems like research is the only thing possible, but isn't there anything else?

 

[Gfunk6]

Good letters of recommendation. Either from famous individuals in the field or LORs that are truly exceptional and say many great things about you as a future physician . . . of course if you have both.

Also excellent performance at away rotations (more important in some fields than others) can boost your chances at a particular institution.

 

[cdql]

Donations of large sums of money to the department in which you are trying to get into may also work

 

[gutonc]

Although it may be obvious, these specialties will expect you to spend all of your elective time doing rotations in that particular specialty. Friends of mine who went into ortho, ENT and urology did 4-5 months of rotations in those specialties at various places. This means very little time off in your 4th year for interviews and prepping for step 2 but, if you want to be in one of these programs badly enough, you'll do what it takes.

 

[cdql]

There's a limit though. I believe my school only allows for 2 rotations in a certain field.

That being said, I've seen students who've been on multiple AWAY rotations in a certain field. I think that can only work out to their advantage as they're literally in a 3-week interview as well as gaining experience for the next away rotation in that field.

 

[gutonc]

There's a limit though. I believe my school only allows for 2 rotations in a certain field.

As did mine. People gave up all of their interview and vacation time (our 4th year has 8-12 weeks of that built in depending on how your 3rd year schedule went) in order to do extra specialty rotations for which they didn't receive credit.

 

[toothless rufus]

How much more of an impact does having a publication make, versus simply having research experience?

 

[Pinkertinkle]

Bump.

 

[Tired]

How much more of an impact does having a publication make, versus simply having research experience?

Anecdotally, quite a bit.

 

[PediBoneDoc]

For the competitive specialties like plastic surg, derm, rads, ENT, ophtho, ortho etc.. (the ones with step I >230), what besides research (and of course the prerequisite board scores, high rotation evals) can be done to improve one's residency application? It seems like research is the only thing possible, but isn't there anything else?

there are very few things to do that will separate you from other applicants.

for many ortho programs, there are some screening cutoffs do to get the reasonable amount of applicants for review. so, you are right have to have the USMLE score and grades first off. now, depending on your preference of program (academic or community) and how competitive your application is, then to separate yourself you have away rotations and research. if you choose research as one of your application padding points, then a publication should be your ultimate goal. just checking the box that says you did research does not help. most of the applicants check that box.

this is my opinion, when i review applicants, i look for good grades and scores (both part I and II; or if part I is bad, was there an improvement in part II), i look at LOR's from people who we know (if we can we will compare to other letters from the same person. it is funny when you see the same exact letter over and over). i look at the "other" part of the application. extracurricular activities, leadership positions, and research. if you are in search of a big time academic program, you better show you can be academic (publish). for me i look for passion in something. i personally feel that doing research because it is something you are suppose to do is BS. i would rather someone do something they have passion for than pad their application.