NIH postbac IRTA?

[yjj8817]

For gap year activity, is NIH IRTA considered very prestigious? I was accepted to NCI and will start this summer. It looks like I might have to work and study for mcat at the same time, which might affect my study time and scores. Should I suck it up?

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[anavika]

Sometimes, I think people over-estimate the amount of time it takes to study for the MCAT. It's definitely do-able even if you're working. You just have to pace yourself and make sure you do a little bit each day. I say around 3-4 months of studying (as long as you're actually studying) is generally good enough. Congratulations on the award, too!

 

[yjj8817]

School plus mcat was difficult that's why I'm just worried.

 

[dudewheresmymd]

For gap year activity, is NIH IRTA considered very prestigious? I was accepted to NCI and will start this summer. It looks like I might have to work and study for mcat at the same time, which might affect my study time and scores. Should I suck it up?

I wouldn't say it's "prestigious" per se as compared to an international fellowship of some sort...but definitely looked favorably upon in the admissions process. I have several IRTA friends accepted to all top 20 med schools this past cycle.

 

[anavika]

School plus mcat was difficult that's why I'm just worried.

I think the thing about school is that even after classes end, you go back home and still have papers to write, exams to study for, etc. I definitely wouldn't be able to do school + MCAT, and I have so much respect for people who can. If you're working, you can just stop after you leave the building and then do whatever you want with your free time. I wouldn't worry as much about it if I were you 🙂.

 

[pbrocks15]

My premed advisor is pressing me to do the NIH but I want to do research as a research associate at a university instead. Some projects I saw were really interesting and they also pay WAY more than the NIH plus I have two years of research.

I think what I'm saying is that there are other possibilities instead but my premed advisor praises the NIH. We send a lot to the IRTA progam.

 

[dudewheresmymd]

My premed advisor is pressing me to do the NIH but I want to do research as a research associate at a university instead. Some projects I saw were really interesting and they also pay WAY more than the NIH plus I have two years of research.

I think what I'm saying is that there are other possibilities instead but my premed advisor praises the NIH. We send a lot to the IRTA progam.

Take more $$ especially since you already have 2 years of research. I had a similar scenario last year and chose a research position that paid more simply b/c I need to pay off ugrad loans!

 

[pbrocks15]

Take more $$ especially since you already have 2 years of research. I had a similar scenario last year and chose a research position that paid more simply b/c I need to pay off ugrad loans!

Thankss! Yeah that's what I plan on doing. I think with the amount of research i have, getting paid is more important i need the money. I also hope to get a publication before graduating, that would be awesome if it works out soon.

 

[jlescher]

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[jlescher]

For gap year activity, is NIH IRTA considered very prestigious? I was accepted to NCI and will start this summer. It looks like I might have to work and study for mcat at the same time, which might affect my study time and scores. Should I suck it up?

I'm just finishing up 3 years at the NIH and starting school this fall. dudewheresmyMD PMed me about this and I saw this thread so I'll throw in my 2 cents.

I guess you could say the NIH is prestigious. Most people tend to regard it as being equal to any top 10 school. NIH recruits faculty from these schools. With that said; your work, how you discuss it, and your PI > the name of the institution. The real advantage at NIH is resources- research funding, technology, and exposure to great minds (visiting lectures).

As far as studying for the MCAT goes I think it's a case-by-case deal. I was working 40-50 hours a week while studying. I would study 1-2 hours every other night and about 10 hours on weekends (3 months was plenty of time). I didn't really stick to a hard schedule. Just studied any time I could bring myself to do it. It was doable but it consumed most of my life outside work. The difficulty of studying during college depends on course load and EC obligations. If you are taking 15 credits and working 10-20 hours in a lab then study during school will be much easier than studying with a real job. If you increase the credits and obligations it will get harder. It's really hard to say which is worse becasue people's undergrad obligations vary so much. Undergad is pretty easy and if you spend most of your time studying to get a decent GPA, med school might not be the best choice.

 

[yjj8817]

so I guess the overall conclusion is that I should do NIH IRTA? even if I might have to deal with mcat at the same time?

thanks for the replies!

 

[jlescher]

so I guess the overall conclusion is that I should do NIH IRTA? even if I might have to deal with mcat at the same time?

thanks for the replies!

Yeah, basically. If you can study for the MCAT without any other obligations you are a rarity and very privileged.

You also need to consider how you will be persived during admissions and interviews. You could turn it down and do other things, but what will you do? It doesn't look very good if you turn down a great position to study for the MCAT and don't do anything else during your gap year. As a doctor you need to be able to juggle responsibilities, and this is the first test. You can do it.

 

[areserine]

Are you staying for one year or two? When will you take the MCAT? Most PIs in my experience have been flexible (offering a full day off per week for a month or so or letting IRTAs out early to study.) One advantage here is that IRTAs are expected to go back to school after so PIs know they will need time off for interviews etc. However, if you are planning to stay for one year, study all summer, and take time off for interviews in the same year, they will likely be less forgiving.

Yes, IRTAs get paid less (as a CRTA in NCI you'll get more) than other positions, but make sure you know what your responsibilities will be at each position. IRTAs are expected to run their own research. My friends that are "lab techs" make more money, but don't have nearly as much freedom and haven't learned as much. This is, of course, PI and lab dependent, but is something to consider if choosing between positions.

 

[Imrizzle]

I'm a current IRTA at the NIH, it definitely is a good experience to have. Lots of opportunities to network and gain lots of experience in the medical field. But I did find it hard to study and work at the same time. I had to be REALLY disciplined, as in wake up around 6 am everyday get ready and study from 7 to 9:15 am. Then go to work, come home, maybe workout some, make dinner, and study a few hours in the evening. Just be sure you can stick to this. As areserine said above me most P.Is are flexible, and just communicate with them that you are studying for your MCAT I'm sure most of the time they will be accommodating. Feel free to send me a PM if you have any other questions.

 

[yjj8817]

Well my mcat is in early July (few days before I officially start the program). I have been studying so far and I will not have any other obligations until my mcat. I'm just afraid of the possibility of studying for a retake during my IRTA program after not doing well on the first try.

Also, if I didn't do nih, maybe I can volunteer/work in a lab at my university? after I finish my test?

 

[Imrizzle]

@yjj8817 I don't mean to scare you away from the idea, everyone studies in different ways, and require different amounts of studying, and different score goals. But I say right now don't worry too much about having to retake, and try to focus on passing the first time. You have most of May left and whole month in June to study, with no other obligations, make the most of it and see how you do.

If you are really worried maybe communicate your thoughts with your P.I and, ask if there can be any flexibility for you to study if you would have to do a retake. My P.I was ok with me leaving early on somedays that were slow, or even studying at work. Tons of people here are studying for the MCAT, DAT, PCAT, GRE, w.e and working, almost all post-baccs here are pre-something. There are also classes in the area and through the NIH that can help you as well.

It's up to you, what you would like to do most, and what you are comfortable with. I think you can still get a great experience at your university lab either way as well. I was doing that, till I got an offer through the NIH, and decided to take it. I don't regret it one bit, was a rewarding experience, and I learned a lot about many different careers in medicine, research, and industry.

 

[libraryismyhome]

I'm a current IRTA at the NIH, it definitely is a good experience to have. Lots of opportunities to network and gain lots of experience in the medical field. But I did find it hard to study and work at the same time. I had to be REALLY disciplined, as in wake up around 6 am everyday get ready and study from 7 to 9:15 am. Then go to work, come home, maybe workout some, make dinner, and study a few hours in the evening. Just be sure you can stick to this. As areserine said above me most P.Is are flexible, and just communicate with them that you are studying for your MCAT I'm sure most of the time they will be accommodating. Feel free to send me a PM if you have any other questions.

sis, this is what you need to do. I did this too and I am in. you will be fine.

 

[Reckoner]

Well my mcat is in early July (few days before I officially start the program). I have been studying so far and I will not have any other obligations until my mcat. I'm just afraid of the possibility of studying for a retake during my IRTA program after not doing well on the first try.

Also, if I didn't do nih, maybe I can volunteer/work in a lab at my university? after I finish my test?

Definitely do not turn it down because you're worried about a retake. Don't even think about a retake. Take the position, focus all of your energy on crushing the MCAT, and if you end up needing to delay or retake you can cross that bridge when you get to it.