To Take or Not To Take a Research Year

For most students, the pressure to take a research year can be astronomical. This dedicated year away from medical school to focus on research seems to be a popular trend among those going into competitive specialties. There are two major questions to consider:

• What are the benefits of going into a research year?
• Does a research year ensure greater success in The Match?

A study conducted at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona for the 2018-2019 application cycle found that there was no significant difference in match rates for their institution¹. However, when the match rates at other top dermatology residency programs were compared, 40.6% of gap-year applicants matched to these residencies versus 19% of no-gap-year applicants¹.

Research years and fellowships can be considered an important component of the dermatology residency application process. They are difficult waters to navigate because a quick search through the #MedTwitter indicate that this may not be the case. Nevertheless, applicants must weigh the opportunity costs against the benefits.

Some program directors on Twitter have encourage students to go into research years if they actually like doing research—and not just to “tick a box” or because “everyone is doing it.” While these sentiments might be shared on social media platforms, the reality is that ERAS applications and the fate of our future are heavily reliant on this. The truth is that this emphasis on research years may foster greater inequities in competitive matches. When thinking about taking a research year, here are some things to consider:

Costs

Some programs offer stipends and other forms of compensation, and some do not. All financial situations are different, but cost is a huge factor to consider, especially for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Talk to your school; because you will be taking a leave from medical school, they cannot offer your financial aid.

Mentorship

Make sure that the program offers more than just pushing out publications. The opportunity to have a mentor and establish a relationship with a potential mentor is more valuable, in some sense, than getting 15+ publications. If the program or person you are considering seems hands-off and does not offer any mentorship support, then consider if it is the right fit for you.

Personal Goals

One of the major considerations for whether you should take a research year is yourself. Do you like research? Are you just trying to check a box? Are there other things you can be doing to strengthen your application that would make you happy?

This is a nerve-wracking decision for a medical student that needs to be carefully considered. Ultimately, the best advice I ever received was to not do anything that would make you unhappy or cause you distress (including financial).

Reference

1. Costello CM, Harvey JA, Besch-Stokes JG, et al. The role research gap years play in a successful dermatology match. Int J Dermatol. 2022;61(2):226-230. doi:10.1111/ijd.15964