1 gap year or 2 gap years with a better research job?

[Rayatbh]

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Hello!

I was originally planning on applying this cycle and taking one gap year. I applied to some local jobs and think I will probably get one research job that I liked okay at my university which I'm super grateful for. My old PI recently told me that a colleague of his is looking for someone at Pitt Med but she really wants 2 year commitment. This opportunity seems great and may even help me get into Pitt which would be insane.

What would you guys do?

 

[Rachapkis]

Given that 60% of applicants only receive one acceptance, the key is to submit an excellent application, rather than to apply as soon as possible. A one year delay now may seem like an eternity, but, years down the road, I suspect it will seem like a minor delay. That said, if your sole motivation for accepting the research position is to increase your odds at medical school acceptance, I am not sure how much a two-year research position at Pitt versus a one-year position at your university will matter. Focusing on this aspect of your application, which is just one of many facets of the whole picture, I suspect that other factors will be more important to your chances at acceptance (e.g., the quality of any publications you co-author, the quality of any LORs you obtain, the quality of your research experiences, etc.). Thus, I would be inclined to take two-year position only if I liked Pitt, and felt that it would be an interesting and enjoyable opportunity in its own right.