A life decision - your advice please

[Snowboarder]

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I am 24 and applying for Fall 2007. Undergrad GPA 3.4; Grad school GPA 3.7 (M.S. Tumor Biology); MCAT 31. I am a re-applicant but last application had only one semester of grad school and an August MCAT of 29 which delayed the reviewing of my application until November. Right after I finished grad school, my thesis mentor hired me as his lab manager and senior research technician. I took the job because I thought 1) I really enjoy cancer research and it will help me with my future career, 2) most adcoms will agree with this, 3) a publication or two would be really awesome, and 4) my boss is my number one supporter (both on a professional and personal level) when it comes to me getting into med school and working for him will in many ways help me achieve this goal.

I have now been in the lab for three years - one as a grad student, two as an employee. I have not published or had an opportunity to do so because I am screening drugs that have no effect on the cancers we study. I have done good work, presented posters at conferences, given student seminars, just nothing publishable. I have received high commendations for my work as lab manager but this is my least favorite part of the job and it's really wearing on me. I still have a little over a year and a half before I start medical school and now I am wondering what I could do with this time. These are options I've considered.

Do you think any of these options would look exceptionally good or bad to an admissions committee?

A) Continue in my current position
B) Quit and get another research job in private industry (as opposed to academia) that will pay more (I make crap) and might help me achieve the goal of publishing
C) Quit and get a job working in clinical trials or another hospital-based position (I am happiest when I am on vacation or in a hospital)
D) Quit and get a non-medical related job that would pay me almost triple what I'm making now (I've looked and I meet qualifications for such positions)
E) Quit and spend time volunteering in South America with programs that staff hospitals of poor cities. I have a part time waitress job that pays $250/night so the game plan here would be to waitress for a month and save up, then go abroad for 2-3 weeks. Rinse and repeat. This is my favorite idea but I am worried about what not having a regular job would look like to an admissions committee and if I will hurt myself by not being able to respond instantly if an interview invitation comes my way.

 

[big_smiles]

It seems like ultimately you are happy in your current job, plus you will still be in the states in application/interviewing season. Ultimately, your record is solid and if you want to go abroad, this is the last time you can do it in a long time. But your mentor at work supporting you is helpful too. Publications aren't everything. You have a master's degree already. And you have meaningful experience. What's wrong with that? If you plan on MD-PhD, publications will be important in your graduate years, not so much now. Publications look good, but you will have a good GPA, good letter from your mentor, and a master's. SOunds like you are a good candidate already, good luck

 

[pschmom1]

For being 24 you've accomplished a lot. Just want to give ya a 👍 .

 

[Snowboarder]

Smiles - Thank you for the advice. I really appreciate you taking the time to read and reply to all that. I think while I am happy with the way things are with my boss, I am ultimately not happy about the idea of spending another year and a half in the lab. I could endure it if it really is the right career move to stay, but I am kind of itching to do something new. I mean, now or never right? (Unless I decide to take a break from medicine later, but I don't see that happening).


pschmom - Thank you for the confidence boost 🙂

 

[ND2005]

Do you think any of these options would look exceptionally good or bad to an admissions committee?

A) Continue in my current position
B) Quit and get another research job in private industry (as opposed to academia) that will pay more (I make crap) and might help me achieve the goal of publishing
C) Quit and get a job working in clinical trials or another hospital-based position (I am happiest when I am on vacation or in a hospital)
D) Quit and get a non-medical related job that would pay me almost triple what I'm making now (I've looked and I meet qualifications for such positions)
E) Quit and spend time volunteering in South America with programs that staff hospitals of poor cities. I have a part time waitress job that pays $250/night so the game plan here would be to waitress for a month and save up, then go abroad for 2-3 weeks. Rinse and repeat. This is my favorite idea but I am worried about what not having a regular job would look like to an admissions committee and if I will hurt myself by not being able to respond instantly if an interview invitation comes my way.

It kind of sounds like your heart isn't in your current job. In that case, and given the other options you have at the moment, I don't really see a major problem with quitting. My only concerns would be these:

-Ensuring that you do not damage your relationship with your boss. This person sounds like an ideal choice for a strong LOR, and you don't want to jeopardize that
-Ensuring that there is not an appearance that you quit/abandoned your position prematurely to med schools.
-Ensuring that your new position is substantial enough and that you have been doing it long enough to have something to write-up in your AMCAS app and talk about during next year's interview season.

 

[RxnMan]

I wasn't sure: Have you already applied, and delayed matriculation, or will you apply in the next season?

Here's some questions you might ask yourself if you are reapplying:

Do you have any volunteer experience? Working in S. America would stengthen your application, not weaken it - they want kids with depth.

Do you feel you have enough research experience? With an M.S., years of bench work, and presentations, additional research work probably won't impress them much - they are looking for balanced cadidates.

Is money a problem? I too have felt the pull to give up the publishing opportunities/connections/low salary for a big paycheck in industry, but I live comfortably already, so it isn't worth it for me to give up the job.

Have you talked to your boss? Maybe he/she can shift your responsibilities so you're happier.

If you have delayed matriculation:

Do whatever you want - you're already in!

 

[tigress]

I agree with what ND2005 said about not jeopardizing your relationship with your boss. That's why your last option actually sounds like the best to me, although it does cause some trouble as far as being in the US for interviews (unless you can easily schedule around that). It would be simple enough to tell your boss that you've really enjoyed and appreciated your time in the lab, but you're looking for a change of pace before med school, and you think you would gain a lot from international volunteering. That way your boss doesn't just see you going to do different research with somebody else, so it doesn't seem like you're just trying to escape. You could also seriously consider some of the US-based volunteer programs that last a year or so and usually pay a small stipend for room and board.

As far as not publishing, so what? Publishing isn't everything. Sometimes what you're doing just doesn't work out. But a negative result is still a result -- hey, nobody else is going to have to try screening those same drugs for the same cancers again, right? And posters and good recommendations are plenty. I think your research experience sounds great as is.

good luck

 

[snobored18]

I am ultimately not happy about the idea of spending another year and a half in the lab. I could endure it if it really is the right career move to stay, but I am kind of itching to do something new. I mean, now or never right? (Unless I decide to take a break from medicine later, but I don't see that happening).

I hear you...you have more than enough experience in the lab and trust me that experience will pay off during the application cycle. If you want to experience new things then go do it...as long as you can explain this to the ADCOMs you will be very successful...and don't be afraid to do some completely out of the ordinary. There are way to many cookie cutter pre-meds out there...differentiating yourself with unique research and life experiences is the easiest way to wind up with a white coat over your shoulder come the summer of 2007 because your stats are definitely right there.

 

[Risa]

my boss is my number one supporter (both on a professional and personal level) when it comes to me getting into med school and working for him will in many ways help me achieve this goal

Given this relationship, why don't you talk to your boss about what to do? This job and he have been meaningful to you, so share that, but also tell him about your publication concerns and your desire to try something new. He may well be able to give you solid advice about what to do, and may have ideas or options that haven't even crossed your mind. If you have a close relationship, having an honest dialogue and seeking his help will strengthen your bond, not hurt it.

Good luck!