Deciding between two research experiences...

[midi 21]

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I will be going abroad to do a global health field experience class next quarter, where I will be living in an HIV/AIDS home for a month, volunteering and writing an anthropology/sociology research paper about HIV/AIDS stigma & care.

In order to do this (I also need to go abroad for family reasons, so the timing of this can't be helped), I will need to quit my job at an immunology lab on campus. It's really disappointing because I haven't been able to do any significant research yet (I have mostly only been observing others, though I have helped run a few gels...). 🙁

My question is this: after my internship abroad, I may have a few months free before I plan on leaving for the Peace Corps. Should I continue working on my anthropology research project, or should I go back to the immunology lab as a volunteer and try to get more hard science experience, even though there's no guarantee that I will be assigned my own project?

I'm passionate about both, so I'm torn! Most of my biology course work has been in cell biology and microbiology, but I've also spent a significant amount of time studying human development and anthropology. I hope to specialize in infectious disease and do social science research as a clinician. Which experience would be better for my ultimate goal of becoming a doctor (which unfortunately necessitates making decisions based on what admissions will think of me)?

Thank you!!

 

[StoicJosher]

I don't think Adcoms will mind either one over the other. Personally, I would stay with the anthropology research.

 

[midi 21]

I don't think Adcoms will mind either one over the other. Personally, I would stay with the anthropology research.

Is there a particular reason you say that? I guess I'm mostly concerned since many people don't seem to see social science research as "real research," and if they felt that way, I wouldn't have anything to cover my butt with... to put it indelicately. My research experience right now is the biggest hole in my application. 🙁

Thanks for your super quick response, btw. 🙂

 

[DocGodfather]

If you're not guaranteed to get your own project, why not do something new and interesting? I'd pick the research project abroad, but that's if you're sure you won't get a chance to do something in the lab and possibly get published.

 

[StoicJosher]

Is there a particular reason you say that? I guess I'm mostly concerned since many people don't seem to see social science research as "real research," and if they felt that way, I wouldn't have anything to cover my butt with... to put it indelicately. My research experience right now is the biggest hole in my application. 🙁

Thanks for your super quick response, btw. 🙂

Basically, your interests in social science research as a clinician is the reason I suggested staying with the anthro research. Is this paper you are writing publishable?

I don't think doing hard science vs soft science research will matter much when it comes to an MD. It is going to come down to how well you can talk about what you did, describe the what, why, how behind your research etc.

On a side note, you might want to consider looking into MD/PhD programs if you are interested in doing lots of research as a clinician. We do 80% research, 20% clinic.

 

[midi 21]

Basically, your interests in social science research as a clinician is the reason I suggested staying with the anthro research. Is this paper you are writing publishable?

I don't think doing hard science vs soft science research will matter much when it comes to an MD. It is going to come down to how well you can talk about what you did, describe the what, why, how behind your research etc.

On a side note, you might want to consider looking into MD/PhD programs if you are interested in doing lots of research as a clinician. We do 80% research, 20% clinic.

I'm planning on submitting it to some undergraduate papers and crossing my fingers, but nothing super fancy. I haven't ever heard of a undergraduate social science paper being published in a professional journal? (Though I'm sure some stellar student has pulled it off.)

I did consider the MD/PhD route, but I shadowed a doctor who was working on his MPH and he had already done a significant amount of research without another degree. There also seems to be a very limited number of schools who have strong medical anthropology departments (much less the research foci I'm interested in) AND good medical schools. My current plan is to do an MD/MPH and then do a PhD later on if I decide I want to teach at universities. I feel like the time commitment to do an MD/PhD is just too much if I'm even a little bit unsure.

 

[midi 21]

If you're not guaranteed to get your own project, why not do something new and interesting? I'd pick the research project abroad, but that's if you're sure you won't get a chance to do something in the lab and possibly get published.

Haha, the chances of that are pretty slim. My lab has way too many lab techs, grad students and post-docs to ever resort to publishing an undergraduate-level project.

Thanks for your input! 😀

 

[midi 21]

One more question: should I ask my immunology PI for a letter of recommendation, or will my advisor for the anthropology research paper do? I was planning on having the anthropology professor write one anyways, but would it seem weird to not have my PI write one? Thanks!