Need to make a decision

[Anigma07]

---

Members don't see this ad.

So, I got accepted into two different summer programs and I'm having a hard time deciding:

1. A top 5 medical university in the states where I would love to get a residency position in the field I am currently interested in. Con is that it will most likely consume all of my summer and is not paid for.

2. A scholarship to a European country to conduct research there. Not really a field I am interested in but they provide a good stipend and they give me a tour of the country. I am also in Europe so I will be most likely traveling around on weekends, partying, etc.

Do you think it is worth it to miss out on a Eurotrip experience to get exposure at a top place you'd like to match in? Does research this summer with the department give me a better chance when match time comes around?

Insight into this decision would be really helpful. Thanks!

 

[K31]

Go to Europe. Do an away rotation later at the institution you're interested in.

 

[Salinas]

-

 

[J ROD]

Get paid and have fun in Europa

 

[Anigma07]

I guess it would depend on your scores/stats. Would you be competitive at this residency program or will you need every last connection to try to get a spot? If you land in the former, I would do the eurotrip (sounds like a blast), and as K31 said, do an away rotation later on. Also what are the rough chances of a good publication at each location?

Thanks for the replies.

I have good scores but this is a top program and I would definitely need all the help I could get.Probably a good chance of publishing at both but better in the states.

The only thing I'm worried about is that the European city isn't a major one so I might need to venture off for a good night life. Also, English isn't the main language (although I think most people speak it) so I might be stuck without knowing many people and having a difficult time meeting others.

Keep the thoughts coming, appreciate them

 

[Guillemot]

So, I got accepted into two different summer programs and I'm having a hard time deciding:

1. A top 5 medical university in the states where I would love to get a residency position in the field I am currently interested in. Con is that it will most likely consume all of my summer and is not paid for.

2. A scholarship to a European country to conduct research there. Not really a field I am interested in but they provide a good stipend and they give me a tour of the country. I am also in Europe so I will be most likely traveling around on weekends, partying, etc.

Do you think it is worth it to miss out on a Eurotrip experience to get exposure at a top place you'd like to match in? Does research this summer with the department give me a better chance when match time comes around?

Insight into this decision would be really helpful. Thanks!

If you dont pick #2, you'll regret it forever.

/edit: if I were presented with these options and didnt choose #2 Id regret it forever at least. Dont sacrifice too much for your career.

 

[ajh1983]

I would bash DO's, personally.

 

[BuddyTheElf]

Europe. Definitely.

 

[Queenshawtii]

Europe. I turned down an abroad opportunity in undergrad and I do regret it.

 

[Wordead]

xxx

 

[Anigma07]

Thanks for the input, guys. Since I would be solo in Europe, I'm not sure how fun it would be-- especially if the lab doesn't have some young people that I could hang out with after hours.

The US city is pretty lively and I think I would really mess up connections if I cut off the position that they offered me. I'm thinking of taking the top US spot and taking a week/two off to travel around Europe over the summer.

Has anyone traveled through Europe solo and can comment on if it would be fun or not. Especially in a place where they might not all speak english.

 

[Sabate]

Thanks for the input, guys. Since I would be solo in Europe, I'm not sure how fun it would be-- especially if the lab doesn't have some young people that I could hang out with after hours.

The US city is pretty lively and I think I would really mess up connections if I cut off the position that they offered me. I'm thinking of taking the top US spot and taking a week/two off to travel around Europe over the summer.

Has anyone traveled through Europe solo and can comment on if it would be fun or not. Especially in a place where they might not all speak english.

If you haven't had that experience before, it's pretty damn cool. It'll be hard adjusting at first (especially if you don't speak much of the local language) but that experience gives you one hell of a perspective on the world. Plus, you're hanging out in Europe for the summer. Can't go too wrong there. If you're social and outgoing, you won't have much of a problem. If you're more of the introvert, it could be a rough adjustment but will still probably be way more rad than not going. Sure going to Europe doesn't give you the same sense of professional advancement but you'll probably come back to your second year way more relaxed and motivated. Either way, you're not shooting yourself in the foot.

 

[Anigma07]

Bump.

Thanks for the input so far. Making this decision soon, would like more thoughts.

 

[IlDestriero]

If you don't go to Europe, you're going to regret it forever.
Use your stipend and have a grand adventure and kill two birds with one stone.

 

[rodmichael82]

Hands down Europe. Any other choice is just sad.

 

[Akail]

I think you should go to Europe; hopefully it'll serve as an opportunity to develop some maturity. gl

 

[bennybrak]

Spent a month in Germany. Even though it was winter and they didn't speak much English, I had an awesome time. I vote Europe!

 

[Anigma07]

If you don't go to Europe, you're going to regret it forever.
Use your stipend and have a grand adventure and kill two birds with one stone.

I'm thinking about spending my time at this top US school, meeting people etc and then taking 2-3 weeks off to eurotrip. Do you not think I would get the same Eurotrip experience that way?

Definitely a curve ball but I'd like to hear what you guys think about that option--kind of having my cake and eating it (networking and still some time to eurotrip).

Keep the thoughts flowing👍👍

 

[Guillemot]

Eh if youre going to europe for 3 weeks anyway even if you do the internship in the states then its a wash. I assume your parents are footing the bill for your expenses at the unpaid US internship and the 3 week euro trip. If my assumptions are correct then good for you, and that makes the two options about even in my opinion.

 

[Stellar Clouds]

I'm thinking about spending my time at this top US school, meeting people etc and then taking 2-3 weeks off to eurotrip. Do you not think I would get the same Eurotrip experience that way?

Definitely a curve ball but I'd like to hear what you guys think about that option--kind of having my cake and eating it (networking and still some time to eurotrip).

Keep the thoughts flowing👍👍

+1

If you are interested in going to this top US school for residency, I think you should definitely take the research position that you have been offered. Meet the people there, shadow some in your desired field (if it's allowed), etc.

Then during fourth year, go on a kick ass eurotrip...you have s***tons of free time as a fourth year if you set your schedule up correctly. This way you can completely enjoy your time in Europe and not have to worry about being super hungover the next day doing research.

 

[Anigma07]

+1

If you are interested in going to this top US school for residency, I think you should definitely take the research position that you have been offered. Meet the people there, shadow some in your desired field (if it's allowed), etc.

Then during fourth year, go on a kick ass eurotrip...you have s***tons of free time as a fourth year if you set your schedule up correctly. This way you can completely enjoy your time in Europe and not have to worry about being super hungover the next day doing research.

Thanks. That seems to be the plan right now. I might even take a short eurotrip this summer-- take 2 weeks off. They're not paying me so I don't see it as too big of a problem, I guess we'll see.

 

[Didierdrogba]

I'm thinking about spending my time at this top US school, meeting people etc and then taking 2-3 weeks off to eurotrip. Do you not think I would get the same Eurotrip experience that way?

answer is no. I lived in Europe for a year, and I can tell you that culture cannot be felt over a 2-3 week period as a tourist. Also, If you are based in Europe, travelling around Europe will be quick and cheap, you will have a much better experience. Plus, you can also travel take quick trips to northern africa and stuff. If I were you, i'd do Europe in a heart beat. You will gain life experience and understanding diversity that other people don't get a chance of doing.