Post-Bacc Research Institute Prestige vs. Experience

Started by rinlight
This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Get help with your application

Use all the free resources available to you from SDN: articles, guides, expert advising, forums discussions, and school research.

rinlight

New Member
2+ Year Member
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
Hello! I'm a rising senior right now, and this fall I'm thinking of applying for research assistant/ post-bacc programs to do research. I'd like to pursue a MD/PhD, and want to do a couple years of research (2 yr gap) before applying.
My question is: Is it necessary to go to a prestigious school/ lab for research during this gap year? I was originally thinking maybe it was so, and thinking of applying to positions at top 10/ higher-ranked schools and also the NIH post-bacc. But also, I feel like these next two years are a chance for me to get outside of my bubble. I feel like I've been sheltered all throughout my life (both before college and after college), since I've only ever been in the East/ Northeast part of the country. I don't know what the great majority of people live like, especially in communities that aren't on the coasts. I think I've also grown up with prejudice towards the South, and I want to challenge that in myself. Is it stupid of me to try to apply/ do research at lower prestige schools in the deep south? (another worry I have is that I'm immunocompromised, and I'm worried of catching coronavirus if I go far away from home)
I hope this is formatted correctly, this is my first post in SDN 😱 (I can't find the nervous emoji haha)