Hi - I'm a 2nd year med student at a state med school. This past summer I was able to do research @ HSS. I gathered nearly all of the data (~95%) during the summer and wrote the draft for the paper, even though the data gathering is still ongoing - after I left, a fellow was taking over the project. He is going to be doing more work than me, since he will be pretty much splitting his time for this year only between the OR and the computer, working on the research. Anyhow, my question is this: if this doesn't get published in the next year and half, either because it is not finished (it is turning into a larger project than we anticipated) or for other as of yet unknown reasons, is it going to hurt my application for residency? I know having the research is good, but how much more weight will a pub give my application? (assuming other things go well - boards, rotations, class rank is 30/140 right now)
Of course it is preferable to get a publication but if you don't, all is not lost. You can still put it on your CV and discuss it at your interviews and perhaps your personal statement. It would be ideal if you can generate a letter or rec from one of the attendings who can attest to your hard work. Just keep up with the progress of the project so you can speak intelligently about it when the time comes. If you can contribute from here on out to help get it done faster, do so.
Don't worry about it. The people interviewing you know that as a medical student, you don't have much control over when a project is submitted or published.
You definitely do not have to have your research efforts go on to publication to benefit from your hard work. Here are some tips to help your application:
1) Never put something on your CV that you didn't do (sounds simple but unfortunately many feel pressure to "pad the CV").
2) Please be prepared for anything that you do have on your CV - it can be embarrassing and potentially damaging to respond to a CV-based question with a blank stare.
3) If you are involved with research ("research assistant at HSS") then please make sure you know everything you should about the project - Hypothesis, goals and objectives, materials and methods, experimental design, your role and what you did, outcomes, results, and discussion. If you know the answers to these questions it is absolutely immaterial that it didn't get published (we all know how long a process that can be!).
4) Finally, please proofread your application and CV - typos are worrisome given how easy it is to "spellcheck" - it's just a sign of sloppiness that doesn't need to be added into the equation.
most understand that you are a medical student and do not have complete control ...
i know hindsight is 20/20 ... there should be an understanding between you and your research advisor as far as what your role is and your possibility of being included as a author if the research should be presented or published ...
i wish i had done that prior to completing endless chart reviews etc. to get nothing from the project except a thank you ...
