Nih

[juventusman31]

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Before going to med school, I'd like to do a postbacc research program. The primary one for me would be the NIH Postbaccalaureate Intramural Research Training Award (IRTA).

I was wondering if anyone else knew another postbacc in the same vein as that NIH program.

Thanks!

 

[passion4atcg]

Before going to med school, I'd like to do a postbacc research program. The primary one for me would be the NIH Postbaccalaureate Intramural Research Training Award (IRTA).

I was wondering if anyone else knew another postbacc in the same vein as that NIH program.

Thanks!

hey! i'm an IRTA at NIH. it is a GREAT program. You spend time at NIH doing research, attend cool, interesting seminars and talks, and meet other IRTAs in your same boat. let me know if you have any questions

 

[juventusman31]

Cool! I might send some questions your way in the future.

 

[passion4atcg]

Cool! I might send some questions your way in the future.

sure!

 

[shevie]

Im also an IRTA and I LOVE IT. You can shadow doctors at the NIH clinical center, attend whatever lectures you want (there are dozens to choose from daily), and if you like research, it really is gratifying. Its also cool to just say "Im an NIH research fellow" lol and then have to explain what it means. I made some really good friends at the NIH and id highly recommend the program.
PM me if you have any questions 🙂

 

[thedelicatessen]

Oftentimes, people taking a year off to apply can find positions in labs at their local/undergrad institution. However, as an IRTA alum, I must say that working at the NIH is an amazing experience academically, professionally, personally, etc. Good luck!

 

[MedSchoolChica]

Is it as difficult to get into the IRTA as it seems? I want to apply for it since I'll have a year off between finishing undergrad and starting med school. Also, what about loans from undergrad, do you have to start paying them off during the IRTA?

 

[1Path]

IRTA's are great but don't forget about CRTA's the NCI/NIH equivalent!

From a Former CRTA

 

[passion4atcg]

Is it as difficult to get into the IRTA as it seems? I want to apply for it since I'll have a year off between finishing undergrad and starting med school. Also, what about loans from undergrad, do you have to start paying them off during the IRTA?

i don't think it is THAT difficult to become an IRTA. i began as a summer student before senior year, went back to school, and then became an IRTA for two years. i work with a big PI here and when applying most everybody told me "good luck with that." the PI ended up liking me and i received the fellowship. moral of the story- ALWAYS TRY

after you submit your application, contact NIH PIs you want to work with and tell them you've applied as an IRTA. then they can pull your application out of the stack. also, once you've submitted anyone is free to access your info and hire you. if you have some lab experience to offer, i think you are fine.

 

[passion4atcg]

oh and CRTAs get paid more

 

[1Path]

oh and CRTAs get paid more

Yep, about 42K (Post Master's degree with research experience).😀

 

[RxnMan]

1Path - since this thread has your attention, and you just a little about the NIH, could you tell me what's the difference between an IRTA and CRTA? Maybe another way is to say I'm a current med student and I'm looking to take a year off to do research at the NIH. I like the CRTP, because it's a full-package sort of deal. But what else is there? What programs do you know of that I can apply for? I'd like time off between 3rd and 4th year. Thanks.

 

[passion4atcg]

1Path - since this thread has your attention, and you just a little about the NIH, could you tell me what's the difference between an IRTA and CRTA? Maybe another way is to say I'm a current med student and I'm looking to take a year off to do research at the NIH. I like the CRTP, because it's a full-package sort of deal. But what else is there? What programs do you know of that I can apply for? I'd like time off between 3rd and 4th year. Thanks.

DO THE HHMI-CLOISTERS PROGRAM. there is a medical student in my lab who started as HHMI for a one year, decided to stay a second year, and decided to stay a third year. He will do 1 years worth of classes back at his University. then he'll have his PhD. this program is amazing. they have research dinners, you live on NIH campus, have low cost housing, get $$ for books and conferences, and get your pick from NIH PIs. automatically, as being HHMI you are treated a little more special. also, HHMI has massive funding opportunites you can cash in on by having their name behind you. also you can do the HHMI scholar program where you are funded by HHMI and then do research at your medical school.

http://www.hhmi.org/cloister/

check it out

 

[passion4atcg]

DO THE HHMI-CLOISTERS PROGRAM. there is a medical student in my lab who started as HHMI for a one year, decided to stay a second year, and decided to stay a third year. He will do 1 years worth of classes back at his University. then he'll have his PhD. this program is amazing. they have research dinners, you live on NIH campus, have low cost housing, get $$ for books and conferences, and get your pick from NIH PIs. automatically, as being HHMI you are treated a little more special. also, HHMI has massive funding opportunites you can cash in on by having their name behind you. also you can do the HHMI scholar program where you are funded by HHMI and then do research at your medical school.

http://www.hhmi.org/cloister/

check it out

and HHMI cloister program is designed specially for med students btw their 2nd and 3rd or 3rd and 4th years of medical school

 

[RxnMan]

and HHMI cloister program is designed specially for med students btw their 2nd and 3rd or 3rd and 4th years of medical school

I've seen it before, and yes, it seems like a wonderful program. Program alumni I've spoken to say it is great. However, it's directed towards basic science research. I'm looking for clinical research projects. The CRTP has a stated focus towards clinical research (and maybe that's because it makes good press, I don't know).

If I'm going to take a year off, it's going to be for a fun, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity like working at the NIH, and it will be in a fun city like DC. I'm not staying at my school!

Your friend sounds like he had a great time. I did the MD thing so I could work with patients, and residency is calling. Good idea, but won't work for me.

I like the suggestions, so keep them coming.

 

[1Path]

1Path - since this thread has your attention, and you just a little about the NIH, could you tell me what's the difference between an IRTA and CRTA? Maybe another way is to say I'm a current med student and I'm looking to take a year off to do research at the NIH. I like the CRTP, because it's a full-package sort of deal. But what else is there? What programs do you know of that I can apply for? I'd like time off between 3rd and 4th year. Thanks.

IRTA's are usually folks outside the NCI, but I managed a 2 year CRTA in the clinical center a few years back.

My understanding is that the CRTP along with HHMI is extremely competitive. Personally, I think is would be easier to get a PI to give you a CRTA or IRTA.

As for whether or not it's hard to get on board at any level at the NIH, I'd say that it's extremely difficult although I managed a 3 year stay. In my mind anyone who says it's easy must have "inside contacts" they forgot to mention when talking about how "easy" it was. After I won my first 1 year fellowship, it was my networking and contacts that lead to my second, 2 year fellowship.

 

[RxnMan]

IRTA's are usually folks outside the NCI, but I managed a 2 year CRTA in the clinical center a few years back...

I get you. Thanks.

...My understanding is that the CRTP along with HHMI is extremely competitive...

But what do they judge applicants on? Grades? A bunch med schools (mine included) are P/F. Prior research experience, pubs, degrees? I've got that covered. USMLE scores?

...Personally, I think is would be easier to get a PI to give you a CRTA or IRTA...

This may be a more guaranteed route, sure. I have to think about it. Are there any programs that you, I, or another poster hasn't mentioned yet?

...As for whether or not it's hard to get on board at any level at the NIH, I'd say that it's extremely difficult...

I'm only looking for a one-year stint. I expect a level of competition, and I'd like to get an idea of the type of competition (above) so that I can decide whether to spend effort investigating CRTP or direct it somewhere else. Thanks.

 

[MahlerROCKS]

I recently decided to take two years off before I start at an MD PhD program (assuming I get in somewhere), and I have been looking at the NIH IRTA program as well as research assistant positions at medical schools and institutes. For those who have done the NIH-postbacc, do you think it was a better option than a general tech position? I know the postbacc is designed to give the student the opportunity to have their own project (PI willing), but the pay is low compared to research positions at other institutions, so I'm not sure what the best option truly is