lookin4residency
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How important is doing research if I did not match? Is it really looked upon that favorably for the next match? Is doing research more advantagous than doing step 3? Is there a favorable amount of months that programs like you to do research? 3 , 6, 9 months? Or is it all about publications? And is doing research in one state still favorable when applying to other states across the country? thanks for your help
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| LifeInTheFastLane
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Good Question. Here is my take on it:
First, the bad news. At most community places, research will not be of much advantage. In fact, I got this feeling that having a good research background (which I had) was counter-productive at some of the community places I had been to. Mainly because the faculty at these places seemed to be concerned that I was too much into this research thingy and would probably be a misfit in their program coz they dont indulge in research so much. One of them went on so mucah as to say, "if you are contemplating basic research, this place is not for you." (Call that an insensitive thing to say in an interview, but I guess he was just being candid).At any rate, most of these places did not care about that part of my application at all. So much for slogging 2 years into it.
Now the better news. Universities tend to love research. Almost invariably, most of my interviews at University places focused on the research I have done. Maybe because I am a fresh grad and have not a whole lot of clinical experience to boast about. In any case, I believe that having research experience was a big plus for me at these places. Especially if you get booked for an interview with a faculty with similar interests.
Now, to put your question in perspective, is the duration of research more important or publications? Well, the obvious answer is publications - you could talk about the work you did over the last 2 years, or you could shove a publication at their face. Obviously the latter is gonna matter more. Sadly, this is the way things run.
Time frame. There is little that can be accomplished in 3 months, or even 6 months, unless you are lucky and land a project which is near completion. So which to choose, research or step 3. I would say, BOTH. Especially if you need a visa. I dont know what other commitments you might have, but having both of these under your belt is probably the thing to do for maximum impact.
Well goodluck then. I know its often a difficult call, but well, this is life.
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The best thing about growing older is that it takes such a long time....
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| lookin4residency
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thanks for your advice. If i start the research in june, then when it comes time to apply for the match, i will have only four months , do i say it is continous research? how will the programs know i am still doing it in oct, nov, dec, before i get an interview. and what if ther is no publications during that time?
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| LifeInTheFastLane
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Posts: 445
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Well, keep working on the projects you take up. That will be your best bet to secure a publication and get experience, which will help you also beyond securing a residency. Yeah, you can call it ongoing research. How will they know that you are still doing it? Well, you tell them - in your application, during your interviews and whenever possible.
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The best thing about growing older is that it takes such a long time....
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