Hey Orthogate - firstly thank you for all the incredibly useful info posted here on these forums. It's second to none.
I decided late in MS3 that I wanted to do ortho so I decided to take a year off to pursue a basic science project involving rotator cuff tears.
I love my project and it's incredibly interesting stuff, but due to unforseen personal circumstances I don't think I'll end up with a publication or really anything to show for my research this year.
My mom came down with a serious illness and I had to go back home to run the family business for the first three months of my research year. The business is my family's livelihood (upon which my dad, brother, sister, and I depend) so I had no choice, and frankly, I didn't want to abandon my family in a time of dire need - family first.
I'm now fully on the research grind but it's clear that by the time SubIs start in July 2013, I will not have anything submitted. I'm thinking maybe I can do a quick clinical project, but that would be to the detriment of time I can spend on basic science.
How should I approach this? Do you guys have any advice for me?
Step 1: 250s
Step 2: 250s
Top 20 Med school
MS1-2: Fully P/F
MS3: No honors in any clinical rotations, but outstanding subjective evaluations including surgery
ECs: Basic science muscle physiology pubs from undergrad (6 of them, highest was second author), patent for a medical device, leadership, outdoor activities, volunteering, etc
