Research vs. TA

[h9i9j9]

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Hey everyone,

I was wondering if you guys could give me some advice on doing research during the year or doing a TA job.
I'm going into my junior year which has a heavy course load in my program. I've been working at a lab for the past 8 month. Due to a combination of good luck and hard work, I think I'll have 1 first author and 1 co-author publication 🙂xf🙂 when I leave this summer. The PI is happy with what I do and has asked if I would like to stay on and work for a couple hours a week next year.
However, other aspects of my application is currently quite weak. Chiefly, I only have one LOR and its from this PI. I don't think this LOR will get much better if I stay on next year. I also did some research with the TA cordinator back in freshman year. I think if I do the TAing job, I would be able to get a good LOR from him too.
So, my question is; would it be better for me to do more lab work or TA? Would more coauthors publications help me or should I focus on other aspects of my application?

Note: I've done research for 1.5 years total now, if I just did research next summer, would that be enough experience or should I try to do research next year? I'm looking to apply to MD/PhD the summer of junior year.

Thanks in advance!

 

[ImagineThis]

I'm currently applying, so some more experienced members may have some better input, but from what I understand the research is far more important. I think if you continue to do research and maybe shoot for another pub (or just a continuation of the project) that will help you much more than the TA job.

That being said, I'm assuming that you are applying to MD/PhD. If you were just posting on this forum for the research focus and plan to apply MD-only, I think its less clear.

 

[Neuronix]

For MD/PhD? MORE RESEARCH. We're like zombies over here. MUST... DO... MORE... RESEARCH.... *drool*

Seriously though, TAing probably wouldn't help. Don't worry about "rounding out" your app for MD/PhD. Do things because you want to do them, not because of what's best for your app. But for MD/PhD, since you asked, more more more research is best for your app along with keeping your GPA and MCAT scores high. You should probably get some shadowing/volunteering. I recommend 100 hours plus in general. Where to find LORs is always an important consideration, but think of where you might get them without breaking your research stride.

 

[delirium81]

To improve an MD/PhD app? It doesn't matter what the question is, more research is always the correct answer.

 

[Neuronix]

To improve an MD/PhD app? It doesn't matter what the question is, more research is always the correct answer.

Well... Never sacrifice your GPA or MCAT score. Those are hard to fix. It's easier to take a year or two out to do research and get paid.

 

[h9i9j9]

ok, so should I try to work in another lab so I can get another LOR or should I try to get more publications? (I'm assuming, maybe falsely, that LOR for MD/PhD should be at least two PI's that you've worked for).
When you say shadowing Neuronix, do you mean any MD or does it have to be MD/PhD?
Thank you for the responses everyone!

 

[delirium81]

You don't need multiple LORs from PIs. Ad Coms would rather see depth of research in a single lab than superficial research in multiple. That said, if you do get two pubs out of your current lab I don't think it would hurt you to switch to another. Improving your application aside, what would you rather do? Do you really like your current lab? Is there a project there that you want to continue? Or are you itching to to learn new techniques at another lab? I think you could do either and be fine, so do what you think you'll enjoy more.

The purpose of shadowing is to show that you understand what it is to be a clinician. So, no, it doesn't have to be an MD/PhD for you to get that experience.

 

[URHere]

I agree with the other posters: if you are applying MD/PhD you should build up the strongest research background possible by continuing in your lab. On the off chance that someone does ask why you don't have TA experience, you can always explain that you chose research instead (a perfectly acceptable MD/PhD answer). Explaining away a several month gap in your research resume (when you are trying to convince someone of how much of a priority research is to you) is much more difficult.

If you are concerned about your LOR situation, why not see if there are any projects on your PI's radar that involve collaboration with another lab? A project like that would give you access to new techniques and new faculty members without forcing you to leave your lab and start over someplace else.

And, if you are really concerned about your ECs, you still have other semesters and another summer to work something in.

 

[h9i9j9]

You don't need multiple LORs from PIs. Ad Coms would rather see depth of research in a single lab than superficial research in multiple. That said, if you do get two pubs out of your current lab I don't think it would hurt you to switch to another. Improving your application aside, what would you rather do? Do you really like your current lab? Is there a project there that you want to continue? Or are you itching to to learn new techniques at another lab? I think you could do either and be fine, so do what you think you'll enjoy more.

My current PI is awesome and I'm really liked my project, but I think I'm actually ready to switch labs. I guess I'll try to see if any new labs will take me on next year, and if there are no openings I will stay with this one.

I think I gave the wrong impression with my initial post. I'm not looking to blindly improve my application, I actually would like doing both TAing and a lab job. Sadly, with my courseload, thats improbable.

I agree with the other posters: if you are applying MD/PhD you should build up the strongest research background possible by continuing in your lab. On the off chance that someone does ask why you don't have TA experience, you can always explain that you chose research instead (a perfectly acceptable MD/PhD answer). Explaining away a several month gap in your research resume (when you are trying to convince someone of how much of a priority research is to you) is much more difficult.

If you are concerned about your LOR situation, why not see if there are any projects on your PI's radar that involve collaboration with another lab? A project like that would give you access to new techniques and new faculty members without forcing you to leave your lab and start over someplace else.

And, if you are really concerned about your ECs, you still have other semesters and another summer to work something in.

hmm, collaboration looks really interesting. I will definitely look into that.
I'm actually worried for my LOR because any LOR I get will most likely be in faculty of science. I think many schools require a non-science faculty member. The last thing that I want to have happen is be screen out of half of the schools because I didn't have a non-science reference...sigh..

 

[PfNO22]

The PI is happy with what I do and has asked if I would like to stay on and work for a couple hours a week next year.

Eh? a couple hours a week? That doesn't sound like research though.

So, my question is; would it be better for me to do more lab work or TA?

Do whichever one you can stand doing for the longest time without gouging your eyes out. If you do the one that will make your application stronger then you will become jaded and there are too many jaded people in the world.

 

[K31]

ok, so should I try to work in another lab so I can get another LOR or should I try to get more publications? (I'm assuming, maybe falsely, that LOR for MD/PhD should be at least two PI's that you've worked for).
When you say shadowing Neuronix, do you mean any MD or does it have to be MD/PhD?
Thank you for the responses everyone!

I'd suggest sticking with the lab you are in now, and maybe doing a summer project in another lab. It's not just about letters; taking a long-term project and seeing it through until the end is valuable preparation for graduate school.

An exception would be if you have an opportunity to work in a physician-scientist's lab (MD or MD/PhD doesn't matter). That's really the only way to have an idea of what you are getting into with the MD/PhD. I worked in such a lab (RO1-funded MD w/ ~90% protected research time) for a couple of years after college, and it helped cement my decision to go MD/PhD. A letter from a physician-scientist also carries more weight in the admissions process too IME.

 

[Tetraoxygen]

I had the same problem a month ago, and I chose the TA position. Uh-oh. And, I don't even have any publications, especially since the lab hasn't published any papers! Should I back-pedal immediately?

I am also a rising junior with a heavy course load in front of me. However, I've heard that it's possible to do research and be a TA for this class, albeit with great bucket-loads of elbow grease. What should I do??

 

[PfNO22]

I had the same problem a month ago, and I chose the TA position. Uh-oh. And, I don't even have any publications, especially since the lab hasn't published any papers! Should I back-pedal immediately?

Don't go back to a lab that doesn't publish papers!

 

[Tetraoxygen]

Don't go back to a lab that doesn't publish papers!

The lab is very, very new, so there aren't any papers out yet. There is 1 under review, and 2 in the pipeline. I'm not on any of those, since, as an undergrad, I spent a little over 1 semester doing basic lab chores and learning how to use equipment. I'm about halfway through collecting data for a current project, and I'm on 2 other projects. However, it's doubtful that I will ever get on a paper, since I was told this would be unlikely when I applied to work in the lab. It was okay with me at the time, since I didn't see the point, but now that I've heard it's rather useful, I don't know. On the other hand, I really like my boss, the projects, and the awesomely cool stuff I get to learn.

 

[Neuronix]

On the other hand, I really like my boss, the projects, and the awesomely cool stuff I get to learn.

I would stay. Publishing is not that important. Learning, relationship building, and LORs are the most important parts.

Someone told me my word "is the word of god on SDN" recently, but nobody listens to me on this very true point.

 

[Tetraoxygen]

Someone told me my word "is the word of god on SDN" recently, but nobody listens to me on this very true point.

Well then! I will trust you and stay.