Is research really necessary for CaRMS?

Dear QMR, 
Is research really necessary for CaRMS?
Sincerely, 
P-Values get me down

Dear P-Values,

It’s never a bad idea to get involved in some research but don’t lose sleep over it. The name of the game for CaRMS applications is to  make yourself stand out from other applicants and show your dedication to the field you’re applying to. That can be through unique electives, leadership in the field, volunteer work, research, or anything else. If you’re applying to a non-competitive specialty (based on supply-demand ratios released by CaRMS) and are flexible with location, then I would say don’t worry about research.

There’s no right answer to this because each individual’s pre-med experience, medical school involvement, and desired program/specialty is different. Participating in research will never hurt so if you have the time, interest, and a project available – do it. If you have a heavy research history prior to medical school, maybe that’s enough. 

CaRMS has become more transparent over the years. Each specialty and all programs now list components of the file review (leadership, research, publications, CV, electives, etc.) and how heavily they are weighted. Go look at this. Some programs will want research experience. For example, orthopaedic surgery at the University of Toronto evaluates “Success in publication [and] quality of work.” Whether or not you need research will depend on what you want to do. 

This being said, it’s ok if you don’t know to which programs you want to apply. Research skills are transferrable regardless of the subject, so if you decide to do research you can likely apply it to any program or specialty.

If you are early in your QMed career, get involved doing research because you may have more free time. Opportunities pop up throughout clerkship as well if you don’t manage to get yourself involved in preclerskhip.

If you’re a 4th year and never did any research, include your Mini-Scholar assignments in the research section of your CV and hype them up. Include your Critical Enquiry Project. Include pre-med research even if it was just for a summer. Don’t leave this section blank. 

Good luck! 

Sincerely,
brokebuthappy