Research or Volunteer?

[thenameismac]

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So I'll be taking the (new) MCAT and applying next year. This past semester I took 18 credits, joined 2 clubs (president of one of them), did a play, and worked fulltime. In the Fall I plan to take 15-19 credits and work fulltime. I don't know if I should pursue a research position even with no idea how to get that or should I just volunteer 4 hours a week? I would be volunteering at the best trauma center in the state.

I don't think I'll have time for both.

What would you do?

 

[LongTimeLurk]

Adding to gonnif's points - be sure you can handle that kind of load. it's more important to keep your grades high - perhaps volunteer during school breaks?

 

[thenameismac]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I guess I should've mentioned I work in a hospital amd have for two years now. I plan to continue for at least the next two years. I volunteered last year but I had some issues and quit but it was for the most part enjoyable.

This past semester I got 6 As and 1 B, and it was my hardest semester to date. Since I probably won't be president of any clubs at least not next semester I don't see how I couldn't volunteer. It's not mentally taxing and I would like the hours I had before, either 11p-3a or 3a-7a. There was a lot of downtime and very serious cases.

I think I'll spend my time volunteering instead of looking for research.

Thanks again guys!

 

[QofQuimica]

Go with the volunteering. If you're going to spend four hours per week in a lab and call that research experience, you might as well not bother.

 

[wholeheartedly]

Another vote for volunteering. since you have a clinical job, volunteering doesn't necessarily have to be clinical.

 

[thenameismac]

Volunteering sounds like the way to go.

I mentioned this to the Intensivist (critical care doctor) this morning when I got off and she said she'll try to find some research projects for me since she's always involved in something. She's medical director of the hospital after all so it makes sense. We'll see how that works out.