BS/MS Gap Year?

[falcomaster]

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Hi all, having a dilemma and thought I'd reach out for some advice.

First of all, I'm planning on applying this upcoming cycle and have a solid MCAT (521) and GPA (3.92) and decent ECs and LoRs. I'm a senior at a California university that offers a contiguous BS/MS program in Biology. I have taken the necessary prerequisites at participate in this program, and if I do it, the plan would be to complete the MS portion by the end of my gap year. I've worked at my current lab for 2 years, however have not attained any publications. I basically have three options for what to do during my gap year:

Option 1: Do the MS
Positives: Research experience, TA experience, MS thesis + graduate coursework, possibility of publication, unique experience
Negatives: Cost of the program, Less time to dedicate to other ECs (I have weak non-clinical volunteership experience), risk of not finishing before matriculation

Option 2: Get paid as an entry level lab technician at the same lab
Positives: Work/research experience, possibility of publication, relaxed workload to allow me to focus on secondaries, get paid + not paying for MS
Negatives: Still working full-time regardless, so shouldn't I just go the full extra mile and work towards the MS?

Option 3: Do something different entirely; perhaps look for an opportunity to do some sort of service work abroad or work in biotech, etc.
Positives: Non-clinical service work is the weakest part of my application; might be beneficial to find a new, better opportunity working somewhere else (my lab environment is okay, but not great).
Negatives: Opportunity cost of doing Option 1 or 2; no publication; demonstrates less dedication to research, risk of not finding an solid opportunity

I'm hoping SDN can give me some insightful feedback about my options, I'm really at a crossroads now and am worried because I have to decide by next week if I'm doing the MS. Thanks!

 

[ChrisMack390]

My vote would be get the MS and one or two volunteer gigs for the weekends. Doesn't have to be ground breaking on the volunteer front, just working in a soup kitchen or playing with disadvantaged children is good - the whole point is humility.

 

[falcomaster]

Thanks! I've been leaning towards the MS! Another factor is that with that route I won't really get much of a break between the MS and starting my MD if I get in. I may have to work on the MS up until the summer prior to matriculation.

 

[frchuatritons]

You go to UCSD? BS/MS is not worth it. Unless it's free, save your money and get paid.

 

[tantacles]

Hi all, having a dilemma and thought I'd reach out for some advice.

First of all, I'm planning on applying this upcoming cycle and have a solid MCAT (521) and GPA (3.92) and decent ECs and LoRs. I'm a senior at a California university that offers a contiguous BS/MS program in Biology. I have taken the necessary prerequisites at participate in this program, and if I do it, the plan would be to complete the MS portion by the end of my gap year. I've worked at my current lab for 2 years, however have not attained any publications. I basically have three options for what to do during my gap year:

Option 1: Do the MS
Positives: Research experience, TA experience, MS thesis + graduate coursework, possibility of publication, unique experience
Negatives: Cost of the program, Less time to dedicate to other ECs (I have weak non-clinical volunteership experience), risk of not finishing before matriculation

Option 2: Get paid as an entry level lab technician at the same lab
Positives: Work/research experience, possibility of publication, relaxed workload to allow me to focus on secondaries, get paid + not paying for MS
Negatives: Still working full-time regardless, so shouldn't I just go the full extra mile and work towards the MS?

Option 3: Do something different entirely; perhaps look for an opportunity to do some sort of service work abroad or work in biotech, etc.
Positives: Non-clinical service work is the weakest part of my application; might be beneficial to find a new, better opportunity working somewhere else (my lab environment is okay, but not great).
Negatives: Opportunity cost of doing Option 1 or 2; no publication; demonstrates less dedication to research, risk of not finding an solid opportunity

I'm hoping SDN can give me some insightful feedback about my options, I'm really at a crossroads now and am worried because I have to decide by next week if I'm doing the MS. Thanks!

Get paid. The MS will not help with much unless you plan to turn it into a PhD as your MD will matter far more in terms of future job potential. If you work as a paid employee, you likely will have a similar opportunity to be published but you will be paid for your time.

 

[falcomaster]

I'm still unsure. I figure the unique experience, opportunity to do research + generate a thesis, opportunity to TA (which I love to do, and turns out subsidizes the cost of tuition) , take graduate classes, etc. must be worth something to adcoms, no?

 

[Holmwood]

I would go with MS + some small volunteering on the side.

Just think about the schools you're likely going to have to apply to with that MCAT. Alot of them are research-heavy.

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Edit:

Actually, with 2 years lab experience... have you gotten any posters on that? You probably have enough research....

It might be better to do 1 year of service with americorps or something.

 

[falcomaster]

I don't have any posters but I have presented my work at a undergraduate research conference at my university and at a few seminars in a REU program. I'm strongly considering the MS + volunteership on the side, because I feel like it is the logical conclusion to my work at the lab. It will allow to complete my project and present my work as a part of my thesis defense. But given that it seems that many pre-meds travel and have relatively relaxed workloads during their gap year, idk if I'm making a mistake by taking on so much responsibility.

I'm also worried because I hear it may be a problem to be to be enrolled as a graduate student close to matriculation as there is sometimes a delay in the time it takes for the degree to be granted? Idk if this will be a problem.

 

[williameb23]

If there's any chance of getting a pub or poster through the MS or the lab position then that'll only help you looking forward to residency. Also, If you're accepted then worrying about when your MS is granted shouldn't be an issue (unless you put off the thesis/defense until too late). Even if you don't defend until summer you'll typically walk in the spring anyway. I also echo the other responses in getting some solid volunteer experience, non-clinical if possible.

 

[sandyman237]

You have a 3.92 GPA, so there is no reason to waste money on an MS that will probably have an minuscule effect on your chances. Enjoy your gap year! Go get paid and volunteer on the weekends/after work in a non-medical setting. This will provide you with more time to write better secondaries and the ability to focus more on making sure your app is presented in the best possible way. Plus you might even get a publication if you stay with your lab! Good luck!

 

[falcomaster]

For those of you that are interested, I ended up deciding to go for the paid lab position. The costs of the MS seem to outweigh the benefits. Planning on working at my lab with the priority to get published during most of my year, and intend to do volunteering on the side