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