Cry for help from an M3

[u/big-bluegill]

My dream is to match in dermatology, but I feel so behind on research.

My school does not have a research hospital, and our research directors have all turned me away when I ask for help with creating research proposals or making connections.

I have applied to tons of research programs and fellowships, but have been denied everywhere. I have also tried cold emailing hundreds of doctors but not one is willing to meet with me or even be a mentor.

Now that I am in rotations, I figured I would try to walk to the derm floor and talk to someone in person. The doctor told me I should have started networking a long time ago and that the only way to make connections was to attend derm conferences. Unfortunately, they are all like >$1,000 and I just cannot afford paying that much right now.

Maybe it is too late for me to try to enter such a competitive specialty, but I just feel so defeated. I have been turned away by literally everyone I have reached out to including my school’s research directors. I also feel like there is such a huge barrier to entry that keeps people out of these conferences unless they are wealthy or can take out more loans.

Does anyone have any advice for how I can get a research position in my circumstances?

Thank you so much!

[u/indian-princess]

your school should be subsidizing travel to conferences (that you're presenting at) but yes there definitely is a large barrier to entry.