CO-OP or not (6 month internship)

[JAH_]

Just so everyone knows what I am talking about, a Co-op is generally a 2 semester (6 month) extended internship. I am specifically targeting Pharma/biotech/academia R&D. You can see an example of what I am talking about google "pharma coop".

I would graduate early and am wondering if I should use that extra semester to do a co-op. I have 600h of clinical experience, 1500h of research, and 150h of clinical/non-clinical volunteering. The co-op would be during my application cycle June - November 2025. Would a co-op be a good use of time? Or would that extra semester be better utilized pursuing clinical experience or something else that I am not thinking of?

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[AJS59]

Just so everyone knows what I am talking about, a Co-op is generally a 2 semester (6 month) extended internship. I am specifically targeting Pharma/biotech/academia R&D. You can see an example of what I am talking about google "pharma coop".

I would graduate early and am wondering if I should use that extra semester to do a co-op. I have 600h of clinical experience, 1500h of research, and 150h of clinical/non-clinical volunteering. The co-op would be during my application cycle June - November 2025. Would a co-op be a good use of time? Or would that extra semester be better utilized pursuing clinical experience or something else that I am not thinking of?

If it's during the cycle it's fine I think, especially if you're paid. Just give yourself some time to do other stuff too.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

What does your prehealth advisor say? What's your WAMC profile?

I don't see any problem with doing a co-op or externship. I know a few schools for which such an experience is required for graduation.

That said, the type of co-op you are looking at should be a great opportunity, especially if you eventually want to see how the pharma/biotech side works. I would recommend for anyone interested in medical affairs, which would include future researchers (MS/PhD), pharmacists (PharmD), or other undergrads frustrated with their degrees in biology, business, and ... well, pick something. 🙂 I'm not sure it's going to necessarily help your "premed profile," but it depends on what you are going to do. Eventually, you should think holistically about what you want to do and whether this co-op is just an experience you want to learn about running in the background of a clinical degree (rarely will you get that chance in med school) or a ramp to something you feel you can do and earn money for (instead of 400K debt of medical school).

 

[JAH_]

Thank you all, I think I will benefit from and enjoy getting some work experience outside of academia and the hospital setting. Pharma is something I have wanted to explore.

I just hope I am not missing anything major here. My pre-med advisor has no experience with coops, and said most students have over 1000h of clinical experience. Granted most of her students have taken 1 or 2 gap years, the clinical experience is really the main thing I am worried about.

4.0 cGPA/sGPA
MCAT in January
ORM
Undergrad is okay
600h clinical experience CNA, 100h clinical volunteering in hospice (more to come)
1500h wet lab basic science research in 2 labs (3 poster presentations, 1 international conference poster&talk) (more to come)
24h shadowing EM, FM, Rads (more to come)
80h non-clinal big brothers big sisters (more to come)

 

[AJS59]

Thank you all, I think I will benefit from and enjoy getting some work experience outside of academia and the hospital setting. Pharma is something I have wanted to explore.

I just hope I am not missing anything major here. My pre-med advisor has no experience with coops, and said most students have over 1000h of clinical experience. Granted most of her students have taken 1 or 2 gap years, the clinical experience is really the main thing I am worried about.

4.0 cGPA/sGPA
MCAT in January
New Hampshire
ORM
Undergrad is low low-ranked
600h clinical experience CNA, 100h clinical volunteering in hospice (more to come)
1500h wet lab basic science research in 2 labs (3 poster presentations, 1 international conference poster&talk) (more to come)
24h shadowing EM, FM, Rads (more to come)
80h non-clinal big brothers big sisters (more to come)

Going to need more shadowing (get up to 50 hours) and non-clinical volunteering (150, but more the more the better). Keep up the good work otherwise though.