So I've been admitted to one MSTP program. Not my first choice, but I can't complain. I've also found a lab that I love: the pay is good, the PI is a great mentor, and its very interesting work.
I took a year off after undergrad and then applied. Should I take another year off and milk this sweet lab for all its worth, or should I get started on the seven year gauntlet?
You guys are always so smart, I'd love to know what you think
-Jay

If it were me, I'd go. You've got a long haul in front of you in terms of education, and although a year of good research is nice, it would be more beneficial to use that year as a postdoc year.

It's a very personal decision, but I'm ready to start! I think I'd get antsy with another year off, but your know yourself better than anyone. You're going to have opportunities for the rest of your life to do interesting research with great PIs... is there anything terribly special about this particular experience that is once-in-a-lifetime? Also, keep in mind that a year is not going to change how you feel about the program where you're accepted. If you're not gung-ho about it now, you won't be gung-ho in 12 months.

It is a very, very bad idea to turn down an acceptance to an MD/PhD program to try again next year to get into a better one.

It is a very, very bad idea to turn down an acceptance to an MD/PhD program to try again next year to get into a better one.
I thought he was considering deferring. ??? I definitely think it's a bad idea to turn down an acceptance and reapply. Don't do that!

So I've been admitted to one MSTP program. Not my first choice, but I can't complain. I've also found a lab that I love: the pay is good, the PI is a great mentor, and its very interesting work.
I took a year off after undergrad and then applied. Should I take another year off and milk this sweet lab for all its worth, or should I get started on the seven year gauntlet?
You guys are always so smart, I'd love to know what you think
-Jay


I would say go because obviously, there's better things waiting for you when you are done. On the other hand, I did the same and stayed in a good lab for an extra year prior to applying to school. I deeply regret giving up one year for my bench work...while I love what I do, science gets frustrating sometimes (where I'm stuck at right now). I'm looking down the barrel of only a couple more months prior to matriculation and feel that I have nothing to show for my time in the lab (being in this lab for almost four years with 2 and a half years as an undergrad).

While that's my professional and personal situation, who am I to have my experience dissuade you from doing the same? If you have a solid piece of work sitting in front of you, then it would probably be worth your while. If you can't get anything out of it, I would cut bait and start school.

It is a very, very bad idea to turn down an acceptance to an MD/PhD program to try again next year to get into a better one.

Not doing this. Considering applying for a possible deferral and keeping the acceptance.

I would say go because obviously, there's better things waiting for you when you are done. On the other hand, I did the same and stayed in a good lab for an extra year prior to applying to school. I deeply regret giving up one year for my bench work...while I love what I do, science gets frustrating sometimes (where I'm stuck at right now). I'm looking down the barrel of only a couple more months prior to matriculation and feel that I have nothing to show for my time in the lab (being in this lab for almost four years with 2 and a half years as an undergrad).

While that's my professional and personal situation, who am I to have my experience dissuade you from doing the same? If you have a solid piece of work sitting in front of you, then it would probably be worth your while. If you can't get anything out of it, I would cut bait and start school.

Great reply, aptamer. Thanks. I appreciate your openess to my situation, too.

It's a very personal decision, but I'm ready to start! I think I'd get antsy with another year off, but your know yourself better than anyone. You're going to have opportunities for the rest of your life to do interesting research with great PIs... is there anything terribly special about this particular experience that is once-in-a-lifetime? Also, keep in mind that a year is not going to change how you feel about the program where you're accepted. If you're not gung-ho about it now, you won't be gung-ho in 12 months.

Thanks Thundr. You always help me put things in perspective...
btw, any movement on the NW list?

Out of curiosity, where is the lab located, Nor Cal or Colorado? I guess I would also say go for all the above mentioned reasons. I know I would love another year in San Diego (mostly to hang out with my friends), but if I don't leave now I never will. However, I'm also not quite as attached to my lab. (My project has definitely been love/HATE)

Stay if you're possitive that it will enhance your research/resume down the line, but you're probably just delaying the great opportunities that come during and after an MSTP program.

Also, my trading offer from the Premed forum still stands regarding the Stanford interview :) .

Thanks Thundr. You always help me put things in perspective...
btw, any movement on the NW list?
No, but I keep showering Engman with love notes. haha

Not doing this. Considering applying for a possible deferral and keeping the acceptance.

If you can defer, its not a bad idea.

Guess I'm an idiot for not reading very well. It's a very rare program that will give you a deferral for anything outside of Rhodes/Marshall etc.

I guess one cynical perspective is that folks remember what you have done for them recently, and relying on work prior to entering the program won't really make much of a difference when it comes to applying for residency or for faculty positions.

That is, unless you can give you yourself a good chance of making first author high-impact journal.

Out of curiosity, where is the lab located, Nor Cal or Colorado? I guess I would also say go for all the above mentioned reasons. I know I would love another year in San Diego (mostly to hang out with my friends), but if I don't leave now I never will. However, I'm also not quite as attached to my lab. (My project has definitely been love/HATE)

Stay if you're possitive that it will enhance your research/resume down the line, but you're probably just delaying the great opportunities that come during and after an MSTP program.

Also, my trading offer from the Premed forum still stands regarding the Stanford interview :) .

Woah Shorty, didn't even see your reply out there. First off: the lab is in NorCal. My girlfriend goes to Stanford, my friends and I live in San Francisco, its a good place to be right now. But sometimes, people just gotta move away.
Secondly: you joke about the trading offer, but Harvard is my top choice, and Stanford MD only is my second one. If I get into Harvard MD/PhD, i am 99.9% withdrawing from UCHSC. Can't make the same guarantee with just a interview from Stanford, though. Let's make a deal...

Woah Shorty, didn't even see your reply out there. First off: the lab is in NorCal. My girlfriend goes to Stanford, my friends and I live in San Francisco, its a good place to be right now. But sometimes, people just gotta move away.
Secondly: you joke about the trading offer, but Harvard is my top choice, and Stanford MD only is my second one. If I get into Harvard MD/PhD, i am 99.9% withdrawing from UCHSC. Can't make the same guarantee with just a interview from Stanford, though. Let's make a deal...


HEHEHE, now if only we can get Harvard, Stanford, and Dr. GH/ Dr. Britt to go along

Ok jayquan, I feel your pain here.

When you say you found a lab you love, it rings especially true for me. I published in a cutting edge lab under a person of rather notorious fame, mostly because she was absolutley tops but miserable to work for. I subsequently have a whole new set of priorities in lab searching, and in my opinion happiness in your work and a good advisor are the most important things - I'm not alone in this, ask the postdocs you know. The initials after your name don't mean dick if you have free reign to work, and you'd have a 5 year head start where you are. Just a thought.

You're a smart guy, you probably make good decisions. I think the most important question for you is, what exactly is your hesitation, and is it more important that you are questioning at all? What does it say that you are motivated to doubt ?

If your answer is "just looking for some assurance", that's easy enough to find. Bravo! You're going to be a double-doc! Pat yourself for making the grade, and pack it up.

If your answer is "because I wonder if I wouldn't really be happier where I am," then you may have some solid ground. Don't take the offer just because all of us are working hard to be in such a place - we've got our own decisions to make, and you would never regret following your nose.

I'm in a similar place, trying to decide between an MD/PhD that's not really where I want to go anyway, and an MD that's a little better place, but a helluva lot closer to home and sweetheart (I wouldn't reapply for MSTP there though, they don't have my research).

Don't try to move into the future and look back in time to now - you'll drive yourself mad asking "am I making a mistake?" Go where you know you will be happy - you'll be right, and just maybe you'll be a doctor too. Me? I'm probably going to stay nearby, the lab I've been in for the last year kicks much ass, pays me well, and will let me come back over summers and whenever anatomy has a light enough load to run some work.

Besides, I love the ocean too much!