<p>The trouble is, because specialties want different things (and even then, nothing is ever a “requirement”), there are no definitive guidelines. Even the different medical schools and their thrust as “research” schools will cause differences between what’s normal and abnormal. Further, personal preference is vitally important as well.</p>
<p>For me, going into pediatrics, and seeing any possible research career as extremely secondary to my clinical interests, what’s necessary is wholly different than someone interested in radiation oncology where a significant number of applicants (21% of those who matched) have PhD’s. </p>
<p>Basic outline: Pass your classes. Stay active with an EC or two. If your school is research heavy find a project early, if not do research between M1 and M2 if it interests you. Pass your classes, pass Step 1. Work your butt off but be nice during M3, try to decide what interests you, pick an advisor that will help you with the path into that field, hopefully find someone to write you an LOR on as many rotations as you can (you don’t have to send it to programs if you don’t want to…and remember an LOR from someone who really knows you is always better than from someone who couldn’t pick you out of a crowd). Schedule Step 2, write a personal statement, get a Chairman’s letter from your home department in your specialty, send off ERAS application, await interview invites.</p>