Help Me Decide

[rectangles]

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I have a gap year before medical school and after spending the last 2 months filling out applications with no word, just got three offers in the last 24 hours! Honestly, I'm extremely grateful but I'm having a pretty difficult time choosing between them. They're all research positions with comparable salaries and benefits. Getting a publication is something I'm really shooting for. I'd really appreciate your thoughts.

Position 1: Yale University School of Medicine

Pros
- Its Yale:
Beyond the fact that it is prestigious, Yale had also been my number one choice for medical school before I accepted the reality that my numbers are just not adequate enough to gain admission. However, working here as a researcher seems like a dream.
-1 year commitment
-Clinical Research
-PI is well connected:
Many of his students have gone on to medical school and after speaking with one of the postgrads during my interview, he seemed convinced that it was his phone call that got him the acceptance. Not saying this will be the case for everyone, but its certainly preferable to work under a PI with influence.

Cons
- New Haven:
Accustomed metropolitan areas or cities within close proximity. New Haven is not great.
- The research project itself:
While I like the idea of doing clinical research, it is on pulmonary disease which I don't find particularly interesting.
- I have to drive:
Part of the position requires me to pick up patients. I planned to terminate my car insurance which has been a tremendous financial burden but that might not be possible.

Position 2: Yale University School of Medicine (different lab)

Pros
- Also at Yale SoM
- Interesting project in dermatology
- No driving free shuttle system

Cons
- New Haven
- The lab is TINY, there only 2 people currently and one of them is leaving
- Even after reiterating that my MCAT is scheduled for July 21st, I was asked to read two immunology textbooks in their entirety before the start of the position Aug 1. I'm not sure that this will be feasible.
-Most Intense
The lab seems to be the most laborious due to its small size, may impede also enjoying gap year.
- Wants 2 years
While the contract is for one year, they are giving me the position with the hope and expectation that I stay for two.


Position 3: National Institute of Health

Pros
-Interesting research on Aging
- Baltimore
Very metropolitan area, Spent the last two summers working at NIDA through the SIP program so I've lived here before and am very familiar with the area.
- Friends and Family
I have a sibling who just started working at the NIH, and friends who live in Baltimore and in DC
- Large lab with a great PI
There are many other students in this lab as well as neighboring labs also taking their gap years in pursuit of medical school. Thus the environment seemed much more catered towards teaching. Many students have also gone on to medical school from here.
- Opportunities at the NIH
- 1 year commitment
- No driving, free shuttle system

Cons
-Its not Yale
Its hard to turn down something I've wanted for a long time. Already having the NIH on my resume, I feel like having Yale added on looks "better" than another year at the NIH, but I'm not quite sure.
- Smallest chances of getting published
Aging research is hard stuff, this lab is the largest but has very few papers published despite being around for well over a decade. A paper is currently in the process of being published this month but another one isnt likely to go out within the time that I would be there.


Thoughts? What would you do?

 

[Lucca]

Are you applying MD/PhD or straight MD?

Is the derm project bench science or clinical?

If MD/Phd, it's a tossup between Yale (derm) or NIH. Sounds like youre more excited by the Yale project so I would go with your gut on that one. Nobody knows how much good connections can help, but they certainly can't hurt.

If MD, then clinical research position at Yale 100%. Highest chance to get published and the length of the commitment/contract aligns with better with your timeline/goals.

At the end of the day, I'd choose the place where you feel you'd be happiest, most productive.

 

[rectangles]

Hey, thank you for your input. I'm applying regular MD however, I still may continue doing research into my career. In terms of just the project and the lab itself, I'd rank them 3 (NIH) >1 (Pulm) > 2 (Derm). I like the NIH position and the project is the most interesting of the three but I also love the idea of working at Yale (minus the driving). The lab at the NIH has actually published several abstracts in the last few years but few if any papers. Does publishing on an abstract hold the same weight as publishing on a paper?

Kinda feels like I'm choosing between:

Yale #1 (prestigious name + publication - driving) vs NIH (interesting project + happier lab and city -Yale)

Are you applying MD/PhD or straight MD?

Is the derm project bench science or clinical?

If MD/Phd, it's a tossup between Yale (derm) or NIH. Sounds like youre more excited by the Yale project so I would go with your gut on that one. Nobody knows how much good connections can help, but they certainly can't hurt.

If MD, then clinical research position at Yale 100%. Highest chance to get published and the length of the commitment/contract aligns with better with your timeline/goals.

At the end of the day, I'd choose the place where you feel you'd be happiest, most productive.

 

[BigBoss]

Position 1 seems to be the best fit as it has lowest perceived burden and the research itself is quite interesting, even though you may not think so at the moment.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[smukke]

I wouldn't take #2. PI + 2 is just too small for my comfort. Small labs tend to have more problems maintaining funding and productivity (hard to be productive with just 2 and if the PI is in the lab then that's time they aren't publishing/grant writing/networking/whatever BS PIs do), may be more difficult to find collaborators, etc and since there are so few that any personality conflicts tend to get magnified. Don't get me wrong, I've been in a few small ones and they can provide great experience but it wouldn't be my first choice unless there are special circumstances (like a new tenure track PI with guaranteed institutional funding, then all aboard if you're willing to work hard because the next couple of years is going to make or break them and they know it).

#1 vs #3, I'd personally lean towards #1 (even though I'm not particularly fond of New Haven). My reasoning would be getting published (granted ideally experience > publications, but in reality people just see the # of pubs and if you get to the point where people are critically looking at the experience you've won more than half the battle), try out clinical research (sounds like you already have basic science experience) and the more personal connections. But from reading your post it almost sounds more like you like the idea of Yale and not the actual lab itself so #3 might be better for you.

 

[rectangles]

I definitely agree with #2 and you pointed out some additional points that emphasize this even further. But I'm mixed on your thoughts for the last two. You're saying you'd do #1 but I should do #3?

I wouldn't take #2. PI + 2 is just too small for my comfort. Small labs tend to have more problems maintaining funding and productivity (hard to be productive with just 2 and if the PI is in the lab then that's time they aren't publishing/grant writing/networking/whatever BS PIs do), may be more difficult to find collaborators, etc and since there are so few that any personality conflicts tend to get magnified. Don't get me wrong, I've been in a few small ones and they can provide great experience but it wouldn't be my first choice unless there are special circumstances (like a new tenure track PI with guaranteed institutional funding, then all aboard if you're willing to work hard because the next couple of years is going to make or break them and they know it).

#1 vs #3, I'd personally lean towards #1 (even though I'm not particularly fond of New Haven). My reasoning would be getting published (granted ideally experience > publications, but in reality people just see the # of pubs and if you get to the point where people are critically looking at the experience you've won more than half the battle), try out clinical research (sounds like you already have basic science experience) and the more personal connections. But from reading your post it almost sounds more like you like the idea of Yale and not the actual lab itself so #3 might be better for you.

 

[btuck]

Do #1 it’s clearly what you are most excited about and aligns the most with your interests. As for the car insurance, you may be able to work something out with Yale, if they expect you to use your car on the job, they may be willing to pay part of your insurance.

I wouldn’t even consider option #2

 

[rectangles]

Thank you a ton. Leaning towards yale #1 at this point. I didn't think making a decision would be this difficult for a one year position. I can only imagine how hard it is for people making their final med school choices. You have a good point about the insurance though, since it is the biggest factor in the way. Driving was mentioned during the interview, I said yes because I wanted the job but also assuming I would be using a company car not my own. Do you think this insurance help or even my concerns about driving my car is something that I should bring up before I send the "confirmed offer email" or send first and then bring up after?

Do #1 it’s clearly what you are most excited about and aligns the most with your interests. As for the car insurance, you may be able to work something out with Yale, if they expect you to use your car on the job, they may be willing to pay part of your insurance.

I wouldn’t even consider option #2

 

[Dwight Kurt Schrute]

salary should also be a factor to take into consideration

 

[rectangles]

True, they all pay about the same.