Academic research or industry?

[Malkuri]

Hi all, ex-lurker here. Please be merciful!

I have a burning question that I couldn't find an answer for by searching. I just recently graduated with a BS in bioengineering, but I'm not applying to med school yet. My numbers are weak - I'm hoping to get into a SMP for the '07-'08 school year. But there's a year between now and then, and I was wondering what to do during that year in order to strengthen my application. I thought of two things:

1. Academic research - I've done a year of research before but didn't enjoy it, but I figure if I do research full-time I'll get something more out of it. I also need some better letters of rec, so I hope this nets one.

2. Medical device industry - I suppose this is medically relevant, but it probably wouldn't count as clinical or research experience. However, unlike academic research, I will actually get paid (although I'm not in any dire need of money)

What should I do? I'm leaning towards (1) but it makes me cringe to think of spending a whole year as an unpaid lab slave. And I wonder what adcomms think of industry work...

Thanks in advance!

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[1SwtWrld]

If the thought of research for an entire year makes you "cringe" why not just go with option number two. Research for an entire year wont make that much of a difference especially if you already have experience. Besides you will gain valuable experience working and it will make you a more unique applicant in the eyes of admissions committies in my oppinion.

 

[Dr Durden]

Don't do anything, especially for an entire year, that makes you cringe just because you think adcoms might like it. That being said, I'm sure you could spin a job in the medical device industry into personal statement and interview gold. Who knows, it might even stand out from the average premed benchwork.

 

[WBGIII]

The NIH has a variety of programs for post bac students- the one-year IRTA fellowship is heavy duty lab stuff, but you end up getting GREAT lab experience and get paid around 2 grand a month. Not a bad deal. You just have to get in.