research

I am going to vent a bit here. So, if you don't want to read it, just close this now. I am quite PO'd that so much emphasis is placed on research in the whole interview process. I find it quite ridiculous that I am not getting interviews to "big name programs" due to the fact that I don't have any. The fact is that not all of us came into medical school knowing from the start that orthopaedics was the career for them. Hence, we were not able to get involved in a research project. I really gets me that we get punished for this fact. My other stats (and no, I don't feel the need to throw them out there to brag like so many others do) are right up there. So, what if I decided just this year that I wanted to be an orthopaedic surgeon? Does anyone else feel that too much emphasis is placed on the research in the end is my question to you guys? By the way, for those of you who have done it, congratulations. I am glad you knew so early to get that jumpstart. I'm not trying to come down on you.

Don't you think that the "big name programs" are research oriented and that's why they place an emphasis on research in their applicants.

If you don't want to be a lab rat, don't go to a program that is research oriented. That probably means not going to one of the "big name programs".

not once did I say that I didn't want to be a lab rat. I was a lab rat in college. What I am saying is that I don't think I should be punished because I didn't know early on that I wanted to do ortho.

I have to really agree with bonehead on this one. I didn't go to med school to do research... in fact... I think you're shorting your medical education if you do spend a lot of time doing research. Yes I know there are going to be some nasty replies to this touting the value of doing research and how much you can gain from it.... but please... how many people in med school do you see doing research in Family Medicine or OBGYN. Research in med school serves one big purpose... getting into a competitive residency field. If you ask me... the time that is spent doing research is much better spent learning the family medicine, psychiatry and other things that are going to make you an awesome doctor whether you like them or not. Unfortunately because so many people are chasing subspecialties now (and I guess I have to throw myself into that mix) research has become more the "norm".... apparently along with writing book chapters and all those other things that are "above the call of duty". That time would even be better spent exercising, learning a new hobby or heading out to the bar. Unfortunately I only see this getting worse... as eventually things like where you went to undergrad... whether or not you were in your high school orthopaedics club... took anatomy as an elective in elementary school and other things become important in weeding out those candidates who of course will make horrible ortho surgeons if you didn't do those things or finish 1st in your class. I guess I share bonehead's frustration as I'm one of those who rocked their boards and other stuff but did no ortho research and am not getting invites to major universities. 90% of orthopaedic doctors are going to be in private practice and not have a whole lot to do with research... period.

Hey bonebrokemefix,

Did u read my mind or what?, u said exactly what I was thinking when I read bonehead's message. Like I said before, I'm going into Ortho to OPERATE and not to be a lab rat.

spardi1

I sympathize with everyone as I also have no research and got rejected from places like Iowa and Pitt, but in all reality that is what I expected. I have to echo Twofingers. It seems odd to me that you guys are placing emphasis on private practice and operative experience, yet concerned about not getting interviews at academic programs. There are plenty of great training programs that dont care if you have any research, but I have noticed that a lot of people (including people who have not done research nor are interested in doing research in residency) turn their noses up to community programs because the lack of name recognition. To be honest, I feel lucky just to be getting interviews considering the fact that everyone on the trail seem to have monster scores, some type of research (arguably either insignifcant roles or projects in many cases), and almost universally have been very cool people who I think will be great to work with. If any of you were on an interview committee at an academic program that is looking to crank out more than just solid technicians and clinicians, it is difficult to imagine that you would not also use research as an important criteria for granting an interview.

I will now step down from my soapbox. I hope that you guys are able to get interviews at some places that you will be happy with. There is no arguing that this entire process is very random and frustrating.

For future applicants who may see this thread who are concerned about the lack of research on their application: research does seem to help a lot, but you can still get interviews at solid programs like Mayo, University of Michigan, University of Wisconsin, and Campbell Clinic without ever having done any reasearch and even without monster board scores. Whether you can match at said programs, I have yet to see.