Hey everyone,
I’m currently in an 8-year BS/MD program and will be graduating with my BS in December 2024 (will be done in 2.5 years). However, I’m not allowed to matriculate into medical school early, which means I’ll have about 1.5 years off before I start med school. I also have to take the MCAT by September 2025 (one attempt, score in 80th percentile cutoff) and I definitely need to spend a lot of time preparing but I'm worried about the time after because I can't just start seeking opportunities then at the last minute (unless I end up not meeting the cutoff 💀).
I’m trying to figure out the best way to use this time productively with an interest in neuro-related opportunities, but I’m feeling a bit lost on how to approach it. I want to make the most of this gap year without being aimless or bored out of my mind. Here’s what I’m considering and what I’m seeking advice on:
I think clinical research is my best bet and I am interested in neuro-oncology/neurosurgery at least from a research standpoint because of the work I’m doing with a dry lab at a well-known children’s hospital and they’ve been really good in terms of productivity + supporting me (on 2 pre-prints) since they mainly use machine learning & data science. I got lucky to be placed with them in a summer program I did last year and I plan on continuing to work with them but I’m not sure/hesitant to pursue any longer more permanent position because I seriously have no coding experience or relevant computer skills which they know about as well (everyone on the team is either proficient in coding/AI + ML or are MD/residents doing research) so I can't really be of much help as a key member and I’m kind of just faking it till I make it right now. In any case I plan on just continuing to work with them on the side since it's all dry lab/work-from-home during my gap year. I just don’t see how feasible it would be to spend a whole year and sufficiently meet their expectations when it comes to contributing.
I also don’t know who I would need to contact seeking neurosurgery specific research in the clinical side (to at least maximize chances of paper productivity) as I don’t have connections or how I can make the decision of committing to a good lab/mentor for a whole year since research is so much about luck at the end of the day. My program is based in LI and is associated with a strong healthcare network that has a home neurosurgery program so I am thinking of talking to them as well about opportunities but I don’t want to come off as naive or inappropriate by openly stating my intentions for a research year and not wasting it without getting pubs. Sorry I don’t mean to sound like a publication ***** 😭 (have 1 now), I just don’t want to end up wasting a year in some lab.
I’m currently in an 8-year BS/MD program and will be graduating with my BS in December 2024 (will be done in 2.5 years). However, I’m not allowed to matriculate into medical school early, which means I’ll have about 1.5 years off before I start med school. I also have to take the MCAT by September 2025 (one attempt, score in 80th percentile cutoff) and I definitely need to spend a lot of time preparing but I'm worried about the time after because I can't just start seeking opportunities then at the last minute (unless I end up not meeting the cutoff 💀).
I’m trying to figure out the best way to use this time productively with an interest in neuro-related opportunities, but I’m feeling a bit lost on how to approach it. I want to make the most of this gap year without being aimless or bored out of my mind. Here’s what I’m considering and what I’m seeking advice on:
- Research Opportunities: I’m interested in pursuing research during this time, preferably in clinical research or related to neuro-oncology/neurosurgery. I’m from Northern VA, and while I’ve looked into local institutions like GWU and Georgetown, they seem more focused on patient care rather than research (not really heavy research output institutions, neither are the labs). NIH opportunities mostly involve wet lab work, which doesn’t align with my interests, and getting into the NIH requires connections. I really don't see NIH as a viable option unless it can really open up connections for me in the future but in terms of research itself I'm valuing publications more because that's what residencies are giving weightage to at least as something I can control (if I get into a lucky lab). I don't want to end up spending a year in a wet lab with no guarantee of a publication. Can anyone suggest ways to find good research positions or other institutions that might offer relevant research opportunities (clinical, neuro-oncology/neurosurgery) and how I can seek them/connect with them?
I think clinical research is my best bet and I am interested in neuro-oncology/neurosurgery at least from a research standpoint because of the work I’m doing with a dry lab at a well-known children’s hospital and they’ve been really good in terms of productivity + supporting me (on 2 pre-prints) since they mainly use machine learning & data science. I got lucky to be placed with them in a summer program I did last year and I plan on continuing to work with them but I’m not sure/hesitant to pursue any longer more permanent position because I seriously have no coding experience or relevant computer skills which they know about as well (everyone on the team is either proficient in coding/AI + ML or are MD/residents doing research) so I can't really be of much help as a key member and I’m kind of just faking it till I make it right now. In any case I plan on just continuing to work with them on the side since it's all dry lab/work-from-home during my gap year. I just don’t see how feasible it would be to spend a whole year and sufficiently meet their expectations when it comes to contributing.
- Long-Term Career Planning: Given the competitive nature of specialties and the importance of publications, how can I make the most of this gap year to prepare for med school and future career prospects without prematurely committing to a specific field?
I also don’t know who I would need to contact seeking neurosurgery specific research in the clinical side (to at least maximize chances of paper productivity) as I don’t have connections or how I can make the decision of committing to a good lab/mentor for a whole year since research is so much about luck at the end of the day. My program is based in LI and is associated with a strong healthcare network that has a home neurosurgery program so I am thinking of talking to them as well about opportunities but I don’t want to come off as naive or inappropriate by openly stating my intentions for a research year and not wasting it without getting pubs. Sorry I don’t mean to sound like a publication ***** 😭 (have 1 now), I just don’t want to end up wasting a year in some lab.
- Other Suggestions: If you’ve been in a similar situation or have ideas on productive ways to spend this time, I’d love to hear your suggestions. I’m open to internships, volunteer work, or any other opportunities (i.e. currently applying for the Marshall scholarship bc why not) that could be beneficial. I'd like something paid and am open to unique things that might open my horizons like any international research positions or other fellowships, anything neuro related, I could apply for or anything else that comes to your mind for what I can do during that year. I know people suggest that I take the time to travel and do anything I like because I won't get it bad but tbh I'm kind of a loner and like spending time with family and just exploring whatever city I'm in lmfao. If anyone currently in the field is aware of any potential research opportunities that might be suited to my interests and long-term goals either at their institutions or other places I would greatly appreciate it and would love to connect with you and share my CV 🙏.
