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I'm a current senior in undergrad planning on applying to med school this upcoming cycle and matriculating in Fall 2023, meaning I need to find something to do with my gap year. While I was mainly interested in doing clinical research (I have a lot of basic biology research but have never done research directly related to medicine), my current PI has made it known that they would love to have me stay for a year after graduation and continue to work in the lab.
On one hand, this is a really appealing opportunity on multiple fronts. I love the lab I'm currently in. I've been able to do good, productive work there (publications on the way), and at the same time I appreciate the people who I work with and find the lab to be a very welcoming and low-stress atmosphere. I also have substantial volunteering experience in the surrounding area (e.g. clinical volunteering at the nearby hospital and nonclinical volunteering in a nearby town), and I would be able to expand upon these during my gap year. It also works well as far as my personal life goes: it would mean I get to spend another year with my girlfriend (she's currently a junior, meaning we'd either have to break up or go long distance unless I take this opportunity). I also happen to live ~30 minutes away from my university, meaning I could basically just live at home during my gap year. Whether this is a pro or con is kind of uncertain because as much as I appreciate being around my support group, I also miss out on a year of 'freedom' in a big city before I start med school.
On the other hand, I feel like it may not be the best move from a strategic standpoint when it comes to diversifying my premed experiences. Like I said, my entire research history has been basic science research (my first lab was a chemical/biological engineering lab; my current lab is centered on algal photosynthesis). I feel like it may be a missed opportunity if I choose to stay in my current lab rather than exploring clinical research or some other medically-related job which will have more of a direct connection to what I'd be doing in my future.
I know that at the end of my day, this is my decision to make and I'm the only person who can fully weigh the pros vs. the cons. With that being said, does anybody have insight regarding how dangerous of a move this might be with respect to my application? Would med schools (particularly top-ranked schools) strongly prefer to see me do something else with my time?
On one hand, this is a really appealing opportunity on multiple fronts. I love the lab I'm currently in. I've been able to do good, productive work there (publications on the way), and at the same time I appreciate the people who I work with and find the lab to be a very welcoming and low-stress atmosphere. I also have substantial volunteering experience in the surrounding area (e.g. clinical volunteering at the nearby hospital and nonclinical volunteering in a nearby town), and I would be able to expand upon these during my gap year. It also works well as far as my personal life goes: it would mean I get to spend another year with my girlfriend (she's currently a junior, meaning we'd either have to break up or go long distance unless I take this opportunity). I also happen to live ~30 minutes away from my university, meaning I could basically just live at home during my gap year. Whether this is a pro or con is kind of uncertain because as much as I appreciate being around my support group, I also miss out on a year of 'freedom' in a big city before I start med school.
On the other hand, I feel like it may not be the best move from a strategic standpoint when it comes to diversifying my premed experiences. Like I said, my entire research history has been basic science research (my first lab was a chemical/biological engineering lab; my current lab is centered on algal photosynthesis). I feel like it may be a missed opportunity if I choose to stay in my current lab rather than exploring clinical research or some other medically-related job which will have more of a direct connection to what I'd be doing in my future.
I know that at the end of my day, this is my decision to make and I'm the only person who can fully weigh the pros vs. the cons. With that being said, does anybody have insight regarding how dangerous of a move this might be with respect to my application? Would med schools (particularly top-ranked schools) strongly prefer to see me do something else with my time?
