National Institue of Health Internships

[NCF145]

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I was just wondering if anyone has or knows anyone that has had an internship at the NIH. If so, would you recommend it, and would med schools consider it to be clinical experience?

 

[Pepper1o1]

I was just wondering if anyone has or knows anyone that has had an internship at the NIH. If so, would you recommend it, and would med schools consider it to be clinical experience?

Yo I live in Bethesda, and you can't walk three feet without running into an IRTA (Intramural Research Training Award, or something like that.... anyway it basically means "NIH fellow"). I live with two of them... they work in pretty different areas and really really like it. The campus is great, you can't beat living near DC, and there are a LOT of other kids our age working there as well. I think med schools probably look on it favorably as compared to, say, working at the Gap or being a cabana boy in Bermuda, but it's probably not all that different from working in some other health-related job. As a sciency person who's not working at the NIH though, I've really enjoyed being so near the campus (to do research, attend lectures, take classes) and making friends with the fellows who work there because they can share my really really nerdly sense of humor 🙂

Good luck!

 

[Pepper1o1]

I was just wondering if anyone has or knows anyone that has had an internship at the NIH. If so, would you recommend it, and would med schools consider it to be clinical experience?

Oops I misread your question. I think there are some interships that DO HAVE clinical experience (one of my roommates who works in an alcoholism clinic).... and some that don't (another is working on genetic polymorphisms relating to neurodegenerative diseases)... so you have to be in one that puts you in contact with patients.

 

[etudiante04]

Yeah, I am a 2nd year IRTA at the NIH. I love it, and I hope to publish soon. As for clinical experience, it depends on the lab. Most of the labs in the Clinical Center of NIH have clinical research trials, and the PIs in those buidlings are more likely to offer you clinical experience. They may conduct translational research. If you are looking for clinical experience at the NIH, you might wan to look for 1) the location of the lab (i.e. building 10 Clinical Center), and 2) the PI's degree. Most of those that conduct clinical research are MDs, and MD/PhDs. PhDs are more likely to do basic science. Although my PI is an MD, she conducts basic science research. But she is very helpful with the medical school admissions process!

I am no means an expert, and you should keep asking around. But I hope this helps.