Gap year job question

[ExcellentCycle2425]

Background:
Applied 2024-25 cycle. TX resident with high stats. Applied mostly in-state and only 3 OOS schools. 1 IS II and 1 OOS II. Rejected from the IS school and haven't heard back from OOS school yet.

Some feedback I got from adcoms: personal statement didn't answer why medicine, low clinical (~150 hrs volunteering), low community service (had hundreds of hours, but none of them involved underserved communities). Research was good (>500 hours from 2 labs; a couple poster presentations)

I don't have job offers yet, but I'm having trouble deciding between applying to two positions. I have continued my clinical volunteering, so have ~2x as many hours compared to last cycle. Also started community service. Also fixed my personal statement. I have made up my mind to apply this cycle, so the hours from a gap year job won't really be part of my primary application, but will be part of update letters I send later.
1. CRC:
Pros:

• I have a specific PI in mind and have discussed about the project.
• Not sure about the pay, but it should be similar (or even higher) compared to MA jobs.
• Very good chance of getting publications (currently have none).
• VERY relevant to my current specialty interest
• Will allow me to continue the community service I started after applying last cycle and will also allow me to continue clinical volunteering which I've done till now.

Cons: Obviously less patient contact than MA jobs

2. MA:
Pros:

• More patient contact than CRC
• Will be directly working with a physician

Cons:

• I don't have certifications, so options are very limited. There's no point getting a certification since most MA courses take 4-6 months to complete, which I feel is a waste of time that could be used elsewhere.
• Will move back home from college, and even then, the commute could be anywhere between 15 min-1hr (depending on where I'm able to get a job)

---

Members don't see this ad.