Second Year (MS2)

Pursuing Research: Summer Between MS1 and MS2 Is Ideal

Options to Pursue Research

• Get earlier exposure to the field
• Connect to a mentor sooner
• Get published and present at meetings earlier
• Reach out to residents listed on ROADMAPS website
• Go to research days
• Get involved in plastic surgery-adjacent research

The Importance of Step 1

Finding Mentors and Networking

Who You Should Meet

• Meet with the chair and/or program director
• Meet with other deans and advisors
• Meet with them at least once or twice a year
• Meet people through virtual meetings and get acquainted with other surgeons

Extracurriculars and Leadership Opportunities

How You Can Get Involved

• Join surgery interest groups or start one
• Consider running for student council or other outreach programs
• Leaderships positions can help option AOA status

How Do I Prepare for MS3?

What You Will Do Next

• Begin with patient care
• Shadow senior medical student and residents to figure out what is expected of you
• Start with pre-rounding
• Learn what to do in the operating room
• Seek out what is expected and practice the necessary skills (i.e. suturing)
• Attend suture workshops and skill labs
• Do surgery rotation in the middle of the year if possible