Medical assistant vs research intern at state medical school

[Eun-Sol]

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Hi, Im a career changer whose enrolling in DIY post-bacc program at state university. I want to enroll in state medical school in the future.

My background was in AI research so I have plenty of research experience (not related to medical field though).

Recently, I came across two opportunities for my clinical experience - medical assistant vs state medical school research internship.

From medical assistant job, I will gain lots of experience on patient interaction and some office duties at neurology practice.

For research internship, my two main roles are getting patients to fill out the survey after the surgery and follow up with them for another survey - basically data collection & participating in writing the research papers. There are also possible shadowing opportunities once covid settles down and mentorship for the admission of medical school.

I think the research internship is incredible opportunity but I think I cant get variety of experience on patient interaction. As I heard that the main goal of clinical experience is to gain experience on interaction with patient, I honestly don’t know what would be the best for the medical school.

What would you choose If you were me and why?

Thanks in advance!

 

[wydoc]

If you don't have any clinical experience, that should be your number one priority! You'll need both shadowing and actual clinical hours separately. Your research that you have already done will still "count" on your application and will probably be highly valued since it's different than the typical premed bs "research" and AI experience would be really useful on most projects.

 

[sarcasmrules]

In a 2013 AAMC survey (see attached) where 127 medical admissions offices responded, found research experience is only of medium importance at private schools and of low importance to public schools as an experiential factor in offering both interview invitations and acceptance. Healthcare experience, community service/volunteer experience, experience with underserved populations, navigated through cultural barriers or challenges, leadership experience were considered of higher importance in factors for interview invites and offers of acceptances. This was further borne out in the 2015 AAMC Survey** where 130 medical school admissions found that both community service or volunteer in both medical and non-medical settings ranked higher in importance than physician shadowing Paid employment (medical/clinical), Research/lab, Military Service, Teaching/Tutoring/ Paid employment (not medical/clinical), Intercollegiate athletics Honors/awards/recognition, and presentations/posters/publications.


** See page 14 (pdf page 21) Table 1. Mean Importance Ratings of Academic, Experiential, Demographic, and Interview Data Used by Admissions Committees for Making Decisions about Which Applicants Receive Interview Invitations and Acceptance Offers (N=130)

I'm curious about something. Can't that data potentially be flawed in the biased way schools answer the AAMC essays? Schools want to look like they're committed to service and answer the surveys in such a way that they overplay their value of of volunteering/service and downplay their value of research? I am not challenging you, I am genuinely curious about the survey that leads to that data.

As for OP's question, the best clinical experience is one where you can show medical schools you aren't a machine. @Goro has a quote around here: "4.0 machines are a dime a dozen". It doesn't matter if you're admitting surveys or taking their history. What matters is you show you can listen to them and demonstrate empathy and compassion. Beyond that, do whatever you want and pursue whatever experience you want.

 

[Eun-Sol]

I'm curious about something. Can't that data potentially be flawed in the biased way schools answer the AAMC essays? Schools want to look like they're committed to service and answer the surveys in such a way that they overplay their value of of volunteering/service and downplay their value of research? I am not challenging you, I am genuinely curious about the survey that leads to that data.

As for OP's question, the best clinical experience is one where you can show medical schools you aren't a machine. @Goro has a quote around here: "4.0 machines are a dime a dozen". It doesn't matter if you're admitting surveys or taking their history. What matters is you show you can listen to them and demonstrate empathy and compassion. Beyond that, do whatever you want and pursue whatever experience you want.

I really do wanna seek for research internship. I honestly think this can fulfill clinical experience and possibly shadowing. But my question is does one experience count as double, such as clinical experience AND shadowing?

Also, I really want to know if having the research experience at the medical school that I want to get in will give me some advantage. Will it, at least, looked better on the application?

I have pretty limited timeline so I really need to spend this one year wisely. Im thinking to fulfill “moderate amount” of volunteering (non-clinical), clinical experience, and shadowing within a year. Would that be sufficient for the med school? Am I missing other necessary experience?

[mention]Goro [/mention] I really wanna hear your input on this subject. Help me please!!

 

[sarcasmrules]

In a 2013 AAMC survey (see attached) where 127 medical admissions offices responded, found research experience is only of medium importance at private schools and of low importance to public schools as an experiential factor in offering both interview invitations and acceptance. Healthcare experience, community service/volunteer experience, experience with underserved populations, navigated through cultural barriers or challenges, leadership experience were considered of higher importance in factors for interview invites and offers of acceptances. This was further borne out in the 2015 AAMC Survey** where 130 medical school admissions found that both community service or volunteer in both medical and non-medical settings ranked higher in importance than physician shadowing Paid employment (medical/clinical), Research/lab, Military Service, Teaching/Tutoring/ Paid employment (not medical/clinical), Intercollegiate athletics Honors/awards/recognition, and presentations/posters/publications.


** See page 14 (pdf page 21) Table 1. Mean Importance Ratings of Academic, Experiential, Demographic, and Interview Data Used by Admissions Committees for Making Decisions about Which Applicants Receive Interview Invitations and Acceptance Offers (N=130)

Actually, in the 2021 edition, it seems public schools value research at moderate levels now. So it seems research is gaining importance in the admissions process.

 

[Eun-Sol]

Actually, in the 2021 edition, it seems public schools value research at moderate levels now. So it seems research is gaining importance in the admissions process.

Wonder why research is getting more attention in the admission since then.

Suspecting that its related to covid?

 

[sarcasmrules]

The 2021 edition uses the same 2015 data which I noted in my original post:

I thought they did a new survey and you missed that because now it shows moderate importance for public schools. If the survey data is the same, then what changed? That question wasn't directed at you so much as one of those questions you ask yourself out loud.

Help OP, @Goro. You're their only hope!