Research is research?

Hello colleagues,

I've searched the archives and haven't found a topic thread specific to this question. Just listing things below to provide more context to my question:

I'm a 3rd year student at UCSF. Academics-wise, honors in 3/4rotations so far (missed on peds). Test-wise, 245 on step 1. Honors and recognitions, won a couple scholarships and awards in pre clinical years, have a MS that was integrated with my MD program, and a MPH. Research-wise, 3 publications in peer reviewed journals, 2 publications as reports for government sponsored projects, 2 poster presentations. None in orthopaedics.

My research interest and passion is really in public health and health policy, my resume reflects this. I love orthopaedics but do not anticipate any research in clinical orthopaedics. My ortho adviser at school says yes, it makes me a weaker candidate at top programs. My mentor, also an orthopedic surgeon at my school, says no, she had a similar resume to mine and matched at a top program. In the interest of information gathering, what is your opinion? I'm sure I'm not the only person with this question, and I apologize if this topic has been addressed and I was not able to find it. Thank you.

Most programs like to know that you can do research. If you have some under your belt they can look at the type of work that you have done. Gives them something to talk about with you. I think for most programs any research helps. There's probably a few out there that may give ortho research a higher category. However, it's hard to beat being published. Myself, I had only done undergraduate analytical chemistry research. No ortho research at all. Good luck.

Thank you for the helpful advice and good wishes.