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Advantages & Disadvantages of Research

by Dr. Ahsun Riaz

ADVANTAGES:

-    You become proficient with language.
-    It is a great time to learn US research as well as clinical environment and how to behave in this setting
-    You have a clear advantage during your residency application season as you can discuss your application material with your supervisor, Fellows and residents. You will know ahead of time what they really want to have in your application and what they don’t like.
-    It shows your commitment with the field, a proof that you really want to take the specific field as carrier.

- Great chance to work with faculty in the field of your choice and get good letters, phone calls, etc from them
- Great chance to improve your resume, if you work hard enough you can get >5 publications as a first author out in a year, present abstracts and posters in amazing conferences, write book chapters
- The publications, according to the advice of a few Radiology Program Directors I have had discussions with, gives the selection committee a chance to go through peer-reviewed articles that you have written or helped to write
- Great chance to learn to conduct research which is an integral part of your pursuit of a career in academia
- You get paid
- You get a visa sponsored
- You learn to use computers (this goes a long way as well)
- You learn to understand and apply biostatistics
- If you lack finances and can’t stay independently in US. Don’t panic, it’s a wise idea to search for position at some university hospital around the area where you will be living.

DISADVANTAGES:

- You might have to work without pay for a few months (Living in big cities is expensive and you need some economic support from home)
- The residency spot you are looking for is not a guarantee even after spending all this time in research (although the chances increase exponentially)
- You will have to work really hard to impress these people and be willing to go the extra mile

Arjun (not verified)

Wed, 02/09/2011 - 15:57

What happens if I get 2nd author credits for a good three or four papers but get only presentations of abstracts as first author??

sajitha (not verified)

Fri, 02/25/2011 - 16:38

hai thr,


i got a lab research opportunity while im interested in pursuing a career in internal medicine. how can i use it in internal medicine?


thanks

grt job you are doing thr with the website.Really useful!

wenskyrose (not verified)

Tue, 04/05/2011 - 12:07


hey all,

cud somebody pls explain in detail what does 1st author, abstract etc mean...

Mohamad (not verified)

Tue, 08/09/2011 - 15:03

1st its really the best site to learn from ... two thumbs up

am a reseaerch fellow on J1 research visa (they check 2 year HRR on DS 2019 ) what the best I can do to get H1 residancy next year

(will take step3 after couple months)

a)  could it change to H1 clincal from J1 research

b) ask them to change it to H1 research

c) can it change toJ1residancy easily

Raj (not verified)

Sun, 10/16/2011 - 05:49

Hi Umar bhai,

     I'm an IMG aspiring to do surgical residency. I am not done with usmle steps but I've done 2 surgical clerkships. I am getting research offers. Is it possible to do research for 2 years and prepare/write steps during that time?? Is it doable? Please help me umarbhai.. I don't know what to do.. will I get research offers if I reject these now?? Thanks...

Pavan (not verified)

Mon, 10/17/2011 - 13:37

    Dear Dr.Umar..


You have done an amazing job with the site. I actually got a score of 244 in my step 1 recently. But the sad part is this is my 3rd attempt. First two did not clear. Finished step 2 before step 1 with 255/99. What are my chances? I am two years post my medical graduation.

Hi Umar,

Firstly, hats off to you for such a helpful website.

I am in USA on B2 visa. I have been working as a Research Assistant at Columbia for the past year (exiting US after 5 months and then entering after few months). I have worked hard and diligently, I have two publications as a coauthor.

Finally, theyve offered me an unpaid Postdoc Position. They will sponsor my visa for a year. I have the following Q.

Q1: Can I apply for change of visa status while staying within USA. ( I do not wish to travel outside USA during that time. After a year my dept will have the funding to hire me as a paid postdoc and possible visa extension)

Q2: Or is it safer to just travel to Canada and get my H1b visa and start on the right foot. I am a Pakistani citizen and i donot intend to travel to pakistan to get a work visa.

Q3: Or is it safer to apply for a student visa, change of B2--F1, and keep volunteering at Cornel until dept gets funding and i get paid position.

Thanks a lot! this is of urgent nature and any answers will be welcome!

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