by Rachel Akers, MS
I vividly remember my first medical school conference. I left the library, suitcase and poster tube in hand, and hopped into an Uber to O’Hare. A few hours later, I was somewhere across the Atlantic, heading towards Berlin.
I stood in front of my poster, hoping that no one had any questions beyond my knowledge base as a medical student. I’ve attended many more conferences since, and I’m here to share what I’ve learned.
Fully engage with the conference
Find sessions that interest you. Many conferences have event apps that allow attendees to preview scheduled forums.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions! Our knowledge may not be as advanced as others, but everyone starts somewhere. It’s okay to ask questions, you’re there to learn.
Exhaust all options for funding
Talking about money can seem taboo, but many research grants have travel funding. Don’t be afraid to discuss this with your primary investigator. Medical schools often have some form of expense reimbursement for professional development. Check with your Medical Student Affairs office or Financial Aid department.
Conferences offer medical student travel awards, reduced registration for students, and early registration discounts! Check the conference website and email the coordinators to inquire. Make sure you have a credit card for airline miles & hotel points.
Look for conferences that are happening near you to reduce cost.
Dressing professionally on a budget is hard. Good quality business professional clothes can be found in thrift stores and online consignment boutiques. Good tailoring makes a difference too!
Use your network
It’s easy to feel alone at a conference. Identify other students and strike up a conversation. Offer to coordinate a group chat or ask them to show you their posters. If you already know students interested in the field, ask if they’re attending and plan to meet! You never know who might become a valued connection.
Touch base with your primary investigator to see if they can see your poster or podium. For students closer to residency, let your mentors know which programs you are interested in. They may be able to facilitate introductions to faculty. If your mentor isn’t there, make sure to send photos!
Practice safety at all times
Be careful about leaving the conference with new connections and bring a notebook to take down contact info instead of handing your phone to a stranger. Have fun and meet new people, but maintain awareness and be safe.
Be judicious about conference swag – hold out for the good stuff!
I happily collected all the free stuff during my first few conferences and regretted it when I had to declutter. That being said, sometimes free samples or demonstrations give you a better understanding of patient experience and the business side of medicine.
All in all…
Conferences are a great way to present your research to a wide audience, meet new colleagues, and experience a new city.
Always bring a USB with your slides, splurge on having the poster printed on site to avoid travel with a poster tube, and treat yourself to something special while you’re there. I hope these tips help you and if you ever see me at a conference, say hi!
About the Author
Rachel Akers is a third-year medical student at Rush Medical College in Chicago, IL. She will be applying for otolaryngology-head & neck surgery residency in the 2025-2026 NRMP Match. She loves classical music, piano, fishing, and all kinds of trivia.