I know it's been asked a million times, and trust me I have trawled through the endless back pages of this forum before registering, but does anyone have any advice for me?
Let me summarise:
- I'm a UK graduate & resident who is about to finish a equivalent PGY1 rotating on orthopaedics, hepatobiliary surgery and rheumatology. Have graduated from a reputable medical school with a merit. The CV is long and distinguished (no Top Gun pun intended).
- Step 2 CS passed, and the remaining two steps will be taken in the next few months.
- Have 3 PUBMED ID's & 1 book chapter in non-ortho research (public health), 2 audits in surgery and 1 unpublished ortho research paper.
- 1x LOR from a US orthopaedic surgeon, 1x LOR from US rheumatologist, and several LOR's from UK surgeons. Am currently trying to arrange another 1, possibly 2, ortho clerkships in the US.
- I've been offered an orthopaedics research year (starting this September) that will provide many fruits in the form of publications and presentations. Hopefully I will be submitting an abstract to AAOS before the June deadline.
My question to you guys is whether I should aim for 2017 match and put on the CV that I am undertaking a research year, or whether I should wait and go for 2018 once I have more actual publications. The plus side to the latter option is that I would have more time to take the steps although I am at a fairly competent level now.
Cheers in advance for any advice you might all throw at me.
