slowpokerodriguez Registered User Posts: 1 (3/3/01 3:11:31 pm) Reply First Year Needs Advice Hey, I'm looking to get involved with research but there doesn't seem to be many opportunities in ortho at my school. I contacted the chair and the resident director but they weren't very enthusiastic. I did find something in rheumatology/osteoarthritis and my question is this. Is this field at all related and would it be beneficial to a future in ortho or should I keep looking for something better? I was also curious about grades. While I'm only a first year I was wondering how important pre-clinical grades are. I am not currently in the top quartile of my class although I am close and I should be. Even though I was number one or two on a of couple major exams my grades were demoted because of attendance at lecture and other reasons. Should this be explained in a personal statement or dean's letter or something or would this come across as whining? OneRunner Registered User Posts: 13 (3/4/01 1:14:24 pm) Reply Research Research...some say that any research is good research (or at least better than no research). But, the 2 types that are best are No. 1, published research and #2, ortho research. The way that ERAS is set up, there is a blank on the application for publications and if you fill that blank with even one publication, you are one step closer to getting a residency spot. Research is asked about frequently and will bolster your application no matter what. You are early enough in the game that you can publish something, which, even if you change your mind about your career, will help. That being said, to all the 3rd years out there, its never too late. i started my ortho research in march of my 3rd year and had plenty to talk about in my interviews in Dec/Jan. More specifically, for you, research on osteoarthritis could not be more related to orthopaedics. It is a great field for research. Grades...Do the best you can and do not make excuses, especially if they reveal that you are not attending class. Be proud of your work and stand by your efforts and results. Within or just outside the top quartile is likely where many of the applicants to ortho stand.