For which specialties is research an absolute must?

[Total Gunner]

I know there have been cases on premed101 of people matching into competitive specialties with minimal research FOR THAT SPECIALITY but still some research in other areas etc, but I would rather not assume that to be the norm. 

 

I didn't really ENJOY wet lab reseach during my studies. Did a lot of it, wasn't the best at it because I wouldn't say I am creative or an excellent thinker tbh. Is the research people do for medschool specialties similar to the research people did in undergrad in summer or different? 

 

I personally love to spend my time out in the field and help community members and underserved populations and would rather be doig that in summer  but I don't want to mess up my chances for some specialties. 

 

**I'm trying to figure out which specialties are notorious for requiring applicants to have research, what kind it is and whether or not I would like to be in that speciality. So I can know whether or not I have to worry about research.

 

Not to discount anyone else's cirsumstances, but I've gone through a lot in undergrad and I would just love to enjoy medschool and not be stressed 24/7 365 like I was in my earlier degrees, wondering whether I'd get into med. Now I don't want to worry about CARMS for the next 4 years, but I also want to make sure I am competitive for the specialities that interest me, so would love your input.

[ZBL]

Derm, Ophtho. Those are probably the two where research is nearly a must, especially derm. 

[IMislove]

Plastics, derm, Optho probably the top 3. Emerg is pretty competitive and I’m sure has stories of ppl matching without research but it definitely won’t hurt you. Also you don’t need to do wet lab stuff. Case reports, systematic reviews, data collection, bunch of stuff you cna do. RCTs take mad time and probably not worth it in the long run, definitely no need to do it to match. Multiple studies both in Canada, in various specialties and in the states, show that elective performance, fit, and reference letters, are the biggest determining factors (states also have USMLE but we don’t need to worry about that here). Research just shows you’ve shown interest in the speciality and you may have some academic acumen, but mostly good for the networking. 
 

edit : I’m always in the middle of writing when someone else responds hah

[bruh]

10 minutes ago, IMislove said:

Plastics, derm, Optho probably the top 3. Emerg is pretty competitive and I’m sure has stories of ppl matching without research but it definitely won’t hurt you. Also you don’t need to do wet lab stuff. Case reports, systematic reviews, data collection, bunch of stuff you cna do. RCTs take mad time and probably not worth it in the long run, definitely no need to do it to match. Multiple studies both in Canada, in various specialties and in the states, show that elective performance, fit, and reference letters, are the biggest determining factors (states also have USMLE but we don’t need to worry about that here). Research just shows you’ve shown interest in the speciality and you may have some academic acumen, but mostly good for the networking. 
 

edit : I’m always in the middle of writing when someone else responds hah

How can one maximize their elective performance and fit in the program of interest? Any advice would be appreciated!

[IMislove]

2 minutes ago, RiderSx said:

How can one maximize their elective performance and fit in the program of interest? Any advice would be appreciated!

Lot of posts about performance so can look those up, mainly boiling down to team player, working hard, and making things easier for the team. You don’t maximize fit, you either do or you don’t. It depends on culture, personality, things you don’t control. Which is why some programs will resonate more with you than others, and vice versa for them.

[bruh]

1 minute ago, IMislove said:

Lot of posts about performance so can look those up, mainly boiling down to team player, working hard, and making things easier for the team. You don’t maximize fit, you either do or you don’t. It depends on culture, personality, things you don’t control. Which is why some programs will resonate more with you than others, and vice versa for them.

Thank you. That’s what I figured. It seems like it’s more of a personality factor. Hard work, kindness, being a team player, and getting along with people.