NIH vs medical university

[lost]

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Hi everyone,
I just wanted some advice as to what would be the best option during my year off before hopefully going to medical school. I have the choice of either working at the NIH (same lab I worked in during summer before senior yr) or working in a medical school in my state of residence. I would much rather work at the NIH due its location, but i was wondering if working in the same university that you're applying to would give an applicant a better shot at acceptance ( i kinda have a low gpa, avg mcat)

thanks for the help!

 

[Mr. Rosewater]

i think having a lot of experience @ NIH would be a more universal benefit than working at a particular med school. furthermore, a good LOR from someone @ NIH would be pretty beneficial too IMO.

 

[duka]

I think NIH would be a great decision. The weight given to my letter of recc from my PI at NIH has been huge at my interviews.

 

[ek6]

Unless you would work for someone who's on the admissions committee (in which case, you'd have to make sure they'd be nice enough to get to know you and give you an inside hand on your application)...I'd go with NIH all the way. There is no better or more resourceful place than that, so if I were in your shoes, I'd go back to that lab. Research at NIH always looks great on your resume.