Hey guys, I am trying to decide what to do with my upcoming gap year and I'm torn between Americorps and a research position I've been offered. . I am graduating and applying this summer. Just for background, my volunteer experience is probably average (I'll have almost 100 hrs of hospital volunteering, 100 hrs of nonclinical volunteering) but I have strong research experience (will have 1.5 years, possibly a publication). Americorps in my area unfortunately has nothing healthcare related posted. I would enjoy either job, although I really like research and would probably have a better time with that. I've been struggling with making up my mind, so here I am for some outside advice 😀
Americorps or research assistant for gap year?
- Thread starter slz1900
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Do research if you think you'd like that more. I'm not really digging my gap year experience, and the year is just dragging by 👎
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If I'm not mistaken I believe you have to apply and eventually get accepted to the AmeriCorps program you're interested in. If you've already been offered a lab position and prefer to do research I would suggest you go with the lab gig.
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From my recent talk with a past dean of admissions, some adcoms LOVE Americorps. It's quite well known plus shows that you can work with diverse group in difficult settings....but regardless of all that, you want to make sure you actually enjoy research enough that you enjoy doing resarch full time for a full year. If you are applying to md/phd it might be more advantageous to do research though..
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make some gwap $$$ yeah
Can you do both? There are part time AmeriCorps programs where you can do like 10+ hr/wk and finish in 6+ months.
I agree with Innovative, some schools LOVE Americorps experience. It's a very good community service, whether it's health related or not.
I was in a part time AmeriCorps program where I was an elementary school literacy tutor, I had a great time hanging out with kids and it gave me stories to tell in my app and interviews (ie: working with diverse/low income population).
I agree with Innovative, some schools LOVE Americorps experience. It's a very good community service, whether it's health related or not.
I was in a part time AmeriCorps program where I was an elementary school literacy tutor, I had a great time hanging out with kids and it gave me stories to tell in my app and interviews (ie: working with diverse/low income population).
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I am in my second year of a non-healthcare Americorps position, and all of my interviewers loved hearing about my experience. However, Americorps positions can be really hit or miss. I would take the research and make some money. You can volunteer in your free time and continue building on your hours.
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I did americorps for two summers and also did some research as an assistant. Overall, I think research is better just because a publication will open way more doors for you. I really wish I had one because I feel like I would have interviews to more places than what I had.
I'm doing a year of service with AmeriCorps, but it's actually through a smaller program under the AmeriCorps umbrella that gives you the ability to choose your placement (I'll still receive the $5500 award at the end).
I'm volunteering full time in a dental clinic at an FQHC and getting loads of experience. If you're interested in working with the poor/underserved and learning the particulars how a clinic operates, this would be a great opportunity. I'm now accepted to dental school, and I'd say that in my interviews, the interviewers were most interested in the service work I'm doing in my gap year. If you can handle just "breaking even" for a year money-wise, I think this is one of the best ways to stand out.
I'm volunteering full time in a dental clinic at an FQHC and getting loads of experience. If you're interested in working with the poor/underserved and learning the particulars how a clinic operates, this would be a great opportunity. I'm now accepted to dental school, and I'd say that in my interviews, the interviewers were most interested in the service work I'm doing in my gap year. If you can handle just "breaking even" for a year money-wise, I think this is one of the best ways to stand out.
My Americorps year was a huge boost to my application, though it did help that I got lots of hands-on experience in a underserved clinic.
Reading over your post though, I would say do the research and then find some additional volunteering to do on top of that. Find something that you find interesting (medical or not) and keep that up.
Your app seems research heavy. That's ok if you actually want to do research in your career. Do you? If you do, I would definitely keep up the research, as that will be a big selling point to schools. If you hate it and don't want to do research post-ugrad, then I probably wouldn't do the research. Or, I would at least consider doing something else. (The stability and money of the research may win out even if you hate it).
In the end, your experiences are what you make of them. Research could end up looking better to med schools if you are into it and get a lot out of it.
Reading over your post though, I would say do the research and then find some additional volunteering to do on top of that. Find something that you find interesting (medical or not) and keep that up.
Your app seems research heavy. That's ok if you actually want to do research in your career. Do you? If you do, I would definitely keep up the research, as that will be a big selling point to schools. If you hate it and don't want to do research post-ugrad, then I probably wouldn't do the research. Or, I would at least consider doing something else. (The stability and money of the research may win out even if you hate it).
In the end, your experiences are what you make of them. Research could end up looking better to med schools if you are into it and get a lot out of it.
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I feel like the application process is like a decathalon where adcoms compare performances in many different areas before selecting their class. When you already look impressive in the research area do you really need to make it even more impressive? Why not combine your above-average research with a stand-out service experience?
Anyways, I've had an awesome AmeriCorps gap year that is healthcare related and has impacted how I view medicine (and contributed to a successful application cycle). I don't know where you are geographically, but pm me if you want more details .
Anyways, I've had an awesome AmeriCorps gap year that is healthcare related and has impacted how I view medicine (and contributed to a successful application cycle). I don't know where you are geographically, but pm me if you want more details .
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To whomever it may concern: please don't do Americorps because you think it might look good to an adcom. 🙄
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You're right-- no one should do AmeriCorps solely because it looks good on an application. But it certainly makes sense that a significant factor for choosing what to do next year for an applicant would be how adcom members will perceive their activities, given how competitive it is to get into medical school.
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Another vote for research.
I'm going to be in a similar situation next year but if I get offered to stay in my lab after I graduate, I'll probably take the job. Get to make some cash, have more flexibility for traveling to interviews (hopefully), and probably more flexibility to take a vacation and chill a little during gap year. However, all this might not be the case of you're just entering this lab.
I would also keep volunteering of you like it.
I'm going to be in a similar situation next year but if I get offered to stay in my lab after I graduate, I'll probably take the job. Get to make some cash, have more flexibility for traveling to interviews (hopefully), and probably more flexibility to take a vacation and chill a little during gap year. However, all this might not be the case of you're just entering this lab.
I would also keep volunteering of you like it.
