Should I take a Research Year?
By Guest on Wednesday, 21 March 2012
Posted in Match Center
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Trying to decide whether I should take a research year or not. I'm currently finishing up my 3rd year. I have a great position lined up at an MGH lab if I were to take a year, however I don't have any funding so the total cost of living expenses etc would be on me. Below are some relevant stats, my goal is to match somewhere around top 20 ortho residency. Any input would be incredibly helpful!

Med school: Top 20
Step I: 254
Clinical Grades: Honors in Medicine, Surgery, Family Med...still have to finish psych, OBGYN, peds
Research: 1 first author manuscript, 1 first author case report, 1 co-author basic science paper, 3 poster presentations, and potentially another first author manuscript before graduation
Extracurriculars: small stuff...President of a surgical interest group, a bunch of tutoring, Anatomy TA etc.
No - biggest questions for you are going to be: do I want to be top 20 in say: one city, one region or are u willing to go all over? Mgh lab will help get a foot in the door at Harvard and whoever your PI is friends with. A subi could do the same thing as well. If ur just looking for a great program without geographic ties and have good letters and are a hard worker I don't see what would be holding you back.
Pm me w specific qs re programs stats etc
Guest
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14 years ago
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I need to preface my comments with the disclaimer that I am a med student, but BigBoned, I'm just curious, with stats like yours (i.e. stats that look strong, to my inexperienced eye), did someone (e.g. a PD or department chair) advise you to take a research year? That would surprise me.

Looking to be educated,

netminder
Guest
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14 years ago
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