An amazing opportunity but do I take it? (EC advice :))

[ryanmcwhorter34]

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Hey all! I'm in a bit of a predicament but I'd love to have your guys' advice. I recently got offered an insane opportunity to which I am conflicted about committing. Without getting into the nitty gritty, a well-established Ivy-league emeritus professor was recently diagnosed with cancer and wants to pass along his research. He asked a colleague of mine to recommend people to carry on his research, and I was referred to meet with him. I met him and I instantly felt a super strong connection with him; he is incredibly altruistic, he really wants to help me further my career, and he is clearly doing this because he loves his research. Much of his research involves data collection and data analysis for DVT, so it is not super time-consuming nor difficult, yet it is very very impactful.

Now here is the issue.

It has nothing to do with the rest of my application. I already have an incredibly research-heavy application with 2500+ research hours, 3 first author pubs, 2 international conferences, and 6 domestic conferences. All of my prior research is cancer related, thus not relating to DVT at all. In all honesty, I feel like I'm lacking in clinical hours (~400) and think that perhaps my time is best spent increasing that number. I'd love to hear your opinions! Thanks sm 🙂)).

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Explain to me the rationale how this will further your career.

 

[Goro]

Do what you love, love what you do

400 clinical hrs is outstanding, BTW. How are your nonclinical volunteering hrs?

 

[ryanmcwhorter34]

Do what you love, love what you do

400 clinical hrs is outstanding, BTW. How are your nonclinical volunteering hrs?

Thank you! I appreciate it. I have about 150 nonclinical volunteering hours. I have 100 being the coach of an elementary school basketball team and 50 working for a suicide hotline.

 

[ryanmcwhorter34]

Explain to me the rationale how this will further your career.

Apart from the publications and conferences that come out of this opportunity, I feel that I am lacking in tangible forms of leadership. I have a few club positions, but nothing incredibly impactful. He and I will be leading ~30 people to help in the data collection and data analysis. I feel that this would identify a lacking point on my application.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Apart from the publications and conferences that come out of this opportunity, I feel that I am lacking in tangible forms of leadership. I have a few club positions, but nothing incredibly impactful. He and I will be leading ~30 people to help in the data collection and data analysis. I feel that this would identify a lacking point on my application.

Interesting. What specific leadership skills will this experience help develop? What conflicts do you anticipate having? What is the deadline/goal? Sure, leadership is important, but you have been a coach (granted, of little kids).

I'm just saying if this (summarizing your words) is a diversion from your journey to medicine, it should be a meaningful one. As Goro points out, if you are really passionate about this opportunity, go for it because med schools can wait until you think you are ready.

 

[Goro]

Thank you! I appreciate it. I have about 150 nonclinical volunteering hours. I have 100 being the coach of an elementary school basketball team and 50 working for a suicide hotline.

You need to build those up over research

 

[thorntonjr]

top schools dont care abt research as much lol its just a prereq so u wont stand out on that alone

 

[ryanmcwhorter34]

You need to build those up over research

Noted! I appreciate the feedback.

 

[ryanmcwhorter34]

top schools dont care abt research as much lol its just a prereq so u wont stand out on that alone

Do you mind elaborating? I was under the impression that it is incredibly important. Granted, my current list of schools includes many research institutions (ie: Pitt, UMich etc.)

 

[thorntonjr]

Do you mind elaborating? I was under the impression that it is incredibly important. Granted, my current list of schools includes many research institutions (ie: Pitt, UMich etc.)

yeah i meant research is a prereq for top institutions but ur not gonna be able to standout on it, u need additional x factor if u wanna stand out. but most dont have one so dont worry just apply and do ur best.

 

[ryanmcwhorter34]

Interesting. What specific leadership skills will this experience help develop? What conflicts do you anticipate having? What is the deadline/goal? Sure, leadership is important, but you have been a coach (granted, of little kids).

I'm just saying if this (summarizing your words) is a diversion from your journey to medicine, it should be a meaningful one. As Goro points out, if you are really passionate about this opportunity, go for it because med schools can wait until you think you are ready.

I feel like this is my first time managing other people's time, delegating tasks, and making sure these tasks get done. While, yes, I have technically done the same for elementary school kids, I feel like it is not the same. As for the timeline, we are hoping to get data collection done by early summer, analyze the acquired data throughout the summer, and produce early findings by September. Whether that'll be a manuscript, poster, etc is currently up in the air.

As for timing, this will not delay my med school timing at all!!

 

[ryanmcwhorter34]

yeah i meant research is a prereq for top institutions but ur not gonna be able to standout on it, u need additional x factor if u wanna stand out. but most dont have one so dont worry just apply and do ur best.

Gotcha! Makes sense. I feel like x factors are so hard to define and, tbh, I don't even know what is considered a 'good' x factor. I'm a nontrad and switched to medicine because of a tumor I had sophomore year, but I feel like everyone applies with cancer stories lmao so I feel like its not that unique. I think being a nontrad helps tho

 

[thorntonjr]

Gotcha! Makes sense. I feel like x factors are so hard to define and, tbh, I don't even know what is considered a 'good' x factor. I'm a nontrad and switched to medicine because of a tumor I had sophomore year, but I feel like everyone applies with cancer stories lmao so I feel like its not that unique. I think being a nontrad helps tho

yeh all good, this thread goes through x factors that prolly onlt make up 25 percent of the class at a place like harvard, so def not a prereq Harvard Med Student - AMA

 

[LindaAccepted]

I feel like this is my first time managing other people's time, delegating tasks, and making sure these tasks get done. While, yes, I have technically done the same for elementary school kids, I feel like it is not the same. As for the timeline, we are hoping to get data collection done by early summer, analyze the acquired data throughout the summer, and produce early findings by September. Whether that'll be a manuscript, poster, etc is currently up in the air.

As for timing, this will not delay my med school timing at all!!

If this opportunity is not going to delay your applying, and you love it (@Goro 's advice is applicable here) then why not do it? As others have suggested, do use this period also to increase your nonclinical community service, if possible focusing on the underserved. if you do 4-8 hours a week you'll have an additional ~70-140 hours by the time you apply and even more by the time you'd interview.