Scribe or Research in my year off???

[windsor4216]

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Hey everybody!

I'm currently a graduating senior from undergrad, taking a gap year before going to med school. I will be applying this upcoming cycle. SO I'm the type of person that the second I get something I want, I begin to question it, booooo. I just found out I got a clinical research assistant job at the med school affiliated with my undergrad school this morning!! So exciting! Except for the fact that I've been secretly crossing my fingers for an ER scribe job I applied to as well. The timing for the scribe job doesn't really work for me, and I would have to start during my finals week. But I wonder if it's worth the sacrifice, since it's such a good experience from what I have heard.

Can you guys help me out with pros/cons of doing the clinical research vs. the scribe job? So far the clinical research job pays around 39K (I knoww!) while the scribe job pays $8/hour. Money should never be a deciding factor, but it's hard not to look at it that way.

I'm utterly confused and need guidance. I'm relying on you guys..what would be a better addition to an application/ life experience??

Thanksssss!!!

 

[Zedor]

Hey everybody!

I'm currently a graduating senior from undergrad, taking a gap year before going to med school. I will be applying this upcoming cycle. SO I'm the type of person that the second I get something I want, I begin to question it, booooo. I just found out I got a clinical research assistant job at the med school affiliated with my undergrad school this morning!! So exciting! Except for the fact that I've been secretly crossing my fingers for an ER scribe job I applied to as well. The timing for the scribe job doesn't really work for me, and I would have to start during my finals week. But I wonder if it's worth the sacrifice, since it's such a good experience from what I have heard.

Can you guys help me out with pros/cons of doing the clinical research vs. the scribe job? So far the clinical research job pays around 39K (I knoww!) while the scribe job pays $8/hour. Money should never be a deciding factor, but it's hard not to look at it that way.

I'm utterly confused and need guidance. I'm relying on you guys..what would be a better addition to an application/ life experience??

Thanksssss!!!

I vote research. If you haven't done any clinical research before, it could be a good experience. Also, it might open you up to some new interests (maybe wanting to do clinical research during medical school). It gives you something to discuss in interviews, and it could be a quality EC.

 

[deleted393595]

I'd say scribe, but it's tough to say without knowing your previous activities. The pros would be that you get a lot more clinical experience and more talking points during your interview. Plus, you can count it as "work" experience. The cons would be that it could affect your finals and thus your final gpa.

Go with the scribe if you want to straight up MD, but if you're going MD/PhD, go with the research program.

 

[StephenMaturin]

Do both.

 

[kingsman55]

Do both.

I agree. I worked full time and then worked as a scribe two nights a week.

 

[Frazier]

ur a member of SDN: do both + homeless shelter savior

 

[JJMrK]

Hey everybody!

I'm currently a graduating senior from undergrad, taking a gap year before going to med school. I will be applying this upcoming cycle. SO I'm the type of person that the second I get something I want, I begin to question it, booooo. I just found out I got a clinical research assistant job at the med school affiliated with my undergrad school this morning!! So exciting! Except for the fact that I've been secretly crossing my fingers for an ER scribe job I applied to as well. The timing for the scribe job doesn't really work for me, and I would have to start during my finals week. But I wonder if it's worth the sacrifice, since it's such a good experience from what I have heard.

Can you guys help me out with pros/cons of doing the clinical research vs. the scribe job? So far the clinical research job pays around 39K (I knoww!) while the scribe job pays $8/hour. Money should never be a deciding factor, but it's hard not to look at it that way.

I'm utterly confused and need guidance. I'm relying on you guys..what would be a better addition to an application/ life experience??

Thanksssss!!!

Why not? Like it or not, your financial situation plays a big role in future decisions. If you're able to save a decent amount of that money it could save you a serious chunk of change in interest once you're deciding what kind of loans you're going to take out. Plus, you'll get the clinical experience and possibly get a pub. Personally I'd take the research job and run with it.

 

[windsor4216]

hahaha i would love to both if i could figure out a way to fit it all in. the thing is i already have a decent amount of research under my belt, but according to my friend who is currently an M1, nothing helps you more for applying to residencies than research experience. of course, this is only one person's opinion, but i can't help thinking that i have a year to improve my chances...so why not take it?

on the flip side, clinical experience is something i feel i lack--but would scribing really be that good of an experience? especially since you're mostly just observing and taking notes...or do i have a misconception of the position?

 

[deleted393595]

ur a member of SDN: do both + homeless shelter savior

+ starving amputee orphans savior + finder of cure to cancer

 

[yamaraja808]

Hey everybody!

I'm currently a graduating senior from undergrad, taking a gap year before going to med school. I will be applying this upcoming cycle. SO I'm the type of person that the second I get something I want, I begin to question it, booooo. I just found out I got a clinical research assistant job at the med school affiliated with my undergrad school this morning!! So exciting! Except for the fact that I've been secretly crossing my fingers for an ER scribe job I applied to as well. The timing for the scribe job doesn't really work for me, and I would have to start during my finals week. But I wonder if it's worth the sacrifice, since it's such a good experience from what I have heard.

Can you guys help me out with pros/cons of doing the clinical research vs. the scribe job? So far the clinical research job pays around 39K (I knoww!) while the scribe job pays $8/hour. Money should never be a deciding factor, but it's hard not to look at it that way.

I'm utterly confused and need guidance. I'm relying on you guys..what would be a better addition to an application/ life experience??

Thanksssss!!!

I kind of question taking a gap year off. You should try to consider a plan B route if you don't get in. I saying this because I have seen cases in the past (they had good GPA, good MCAT, and good extra curriculars). However, if you feel this is the right choice then go for either one. Do what you enjoy.

 

[Handinhand]

ur a member of SDN: do both + homeless shelter savior

Hilarious avatar

 

[dbeast]

+ starving amputee orphans savior + finder of cure to cancer

Come on, if you do that I hope you're ready to be a re-applicant. Every pre-med cures cancer these days.

Oh and apply early. 🙂

 

[zwitterion34]

What if the research position doesn't pay at all? Would you still recommend research over scribe? 😎

 

[zwitterion34]

Also if you had to choose ONLY one of the two what would be better: research or scribe? 😎

 

[chiapet874]

Frankly, I would do the research. By that point, you've already turned in your application, so getting more clinical hours on your application really doesn't seem to matter as much.

 

[Phyozo]

Hey everybody!

I'm currently a graduating senior from undergrad, taking a gap year before going to med school. I will be applying this upcoming cycle. SO I'm the type of person that the second I get something I want, I begin to question it, booooo. I just found out I got a clinical research assistant job at the med school affiliated with my undergrad school this morning!! So exciting! Except for the fact that I've been secretly crossing my fingers for an ER scribe job I applied to as well. The timing for the scribe job doesn't really work for me, and I would have to start during my finals week. But I wonder if it's worth the sacrifice, since it's such a good experience from what I have heard.

Can you guys help me out with pros/cons of doing the clinical research vs. the scribe job? So far the clinical research job pays around 39K (I knoww!) while the scribe job pays $8/hour. Money should never be a deciding factor, but it's hard not to look at it that way.

I'm utterly confused and need guidance. I'm relying on you guys..what would be a better addition to an application/ life experience??

Thanksssss!!!

This is actually an easy decision. If you're at all interested in going to a residency at a top academic program, pick clinical research and try to get some pubs out. Even an abstract will help. In general clinical research > scribe AND you get paid! That's a crazy good deal.

If you like scribing too, then do both

 

[clouisek]

I'm currently scribing at a local ER for ~30-40 hours/week. I interviewed at University of Maryland and my interviewer said one thing about my application that stood out to him was my clinical experience in scribing. I have research on my resume, but I enjoy scribing a heck of a lot more because I learn so much every day by being directly exposed to medicine... names of medications, doses, specificities of enzymes, when to order which kinds of tests, etc. I'd also suggest you try to do both, but also try not to stretch yourself too thin.

 

[gmcguitar4]

They are both good experiences but one pays a lot more. Don't see the problem here.