research versus other ECs... what is better?

[drplease]

---

Members do not see this ad.

so i'm in quite a dilemma. i have the opportunity to..

1) be an academic tutor (paid) + planned parenthood volunteer + hospital volunteer

OR

2) research work full time

I am currently doing number 1 (well, setting up volunteering i haven't begun yet) but have been presented with the opportunity for number 2. What is tearing me apart is mainly the issue of money. Number 1 pays but not nearly as well as 2.. BUT it allows me to get in a lot of other ECs while research gives me many more hours but doesn't allow me to volunteer any time. i'm also studying for the MCATs but i think i'd be able to study about the same amount either way. any suggestions as to what to do????

 

[LateBl00meR]

I'm not sure how well a controversial place like planned parenthood fares within the medical community. May be best to shy away from it...I was actually just thinking about that today as I passed a group of protestors outside of my local PPFA.

 

[drplease]

really? i haven't started yet but will soon but i wouldn't think its controversial if i'm not the one hanging out the abortion pills or anything like that. really, i think it's a good clinic because (at least in my area) it serves individuals who cannot necessarily pay for medical treatment or advice themselves. and since its smaller than a hospital, i was hoping to get to view of medicine different from that of a large hospital.

but.. should i reconsider it??

 

[bellakk]

I think planned parenthood would be a great place to volunteer. Dont bring up the controversial aspects of it when you're discussing it, focus more on the good stuff it does medical-wise. Even if people you're eventually interviewing with dont agree with your opinions on it, they will still respect your opinions and they understand the good stuff it does.
I think your choice depends on what kind of medicine you want to focus on. If you want to go into research, then duh, but if you want to practice clinical medicine, research isnt require and I know plenty of people who've gotten into med school w/o it. So this means that you're currently not taking any classes and would just be working full time in research (or tutoring and volunteering) and mcating? Is there anywhere you could work part time doing research?
You should also email your premed advisor this question as well as the admissions advisor of your local med school and the docs you've been shadowing.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

I agree that Planned Parenthood could be great for you. Not everything they do is all that controversial, and they provide some great MEDICAL services to many people who might not otherwise receive them.

As for your original question, I would do whatever you feel will further yourself as a person/future physician. If you have to have the increased salary to survive, then the choice is clear, already. If not, decide based on what you'd like to experience and be able to talk about in secondaries/interviews, as well as what will feed your current interests, as they develop into career goals. If you're interested in pursuing the field you'd be researching, then do that. If you are interested in OB/GYN or whatever you'd be experiencing in the hospital, take that route.

Basically, I'd shy away from looking at the scenario as a "What will the adcoms think?" situation. Both routes will take up space and look good on your application. "What will be the best choice for drplease, personally?" is the better question.

 

[drplease]

thanks for all the replies guys! i've decided on the first track mainly because i enjoy doing that much more than research.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

thanks for all the replies guys! i've decided on the first track mainly because i enjoy doing that much more than research.

👍👍

 

[MossPoh]

I don't understand why you couldn't maybe throw a few hours of research in a week somewhere anyway. I was at an 18 credit load while volunteering at 2 places, traveling 2 hours a day, and some research. It was very doable for me.

I agree to do what you want to do, but if you want a taste of research then I'm sure someone will accommodate you.

 

[drplease]

well i did research as an undergrad so i have some experience already. right now though, since i'm already out of school the only jobs i can find in terms of research are full-time jobs.. and that doesn't work if i want to volunteer because the hospitals/clnics i want to work at only let you volunteer during the weekday. so really its an either/or situation. also, any volunteering research positions normally go to undergrads OR graduate students and i'm neither.

 

[Katatonic]

It depends on what you're more interested/what you enjoy more. I plan on making it clear in my PS that I plan on having research be a large part of my career, so most of my EC time has been in labs, not volunteering in a clinical setting. It sounds like you already made a decision though, so good luck!

 

[CardioPlus]

It depends on what you're more interested/what you enjoy more. I plan on making it clear in my PS that I plan on having research be a large part of my career, so most of my EC time has been in labs, not volunteering in a clinical setting. It sounds like you already made a decision though, so good luck!

I agree, and for me it's the other way around. I've never been all that interested in lab work, so I've spent my time volunteering at a hospital, clinic, etc. Either way, just do what you enjoy and the adcoms will see what your passionate about.