- Joined
- May 18, 2014
- Messages
- 400
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I'm an M1 at a research-oriented school in a big city, very interested in academic psychiatry. I have the possibility of creating my own research project in a very small town, with guaranteed funding and housing, and no application process. Research in an idyllic small town would be great, as I'm getting really burnt out with living in a big city. On the other hand, I have the opportunity to stay at my own university, working with a well-known researcher on a really cool project. This would involve applying for an NIH student grant, which is a hassle (but I've been told winning one is good for an aspiring academic physician's CV). I know that residencies don't care that much about summer research as an M1, but any advice is appreciated. Would one of these options be better than the other for keeping open the option of a career in academic psych?
Both would have the opportunity to publish, but if I stayed at my university, it would likely go to a better journal, be with well-known co-authors, and might even involve more than one paper.
Pros of small town:
Much preferred location
Better lifestyle (probably)
Free housing, with perks
No application process
Pros of staying at my institution:
Institution has well-known psych department
Would work with a big name PI
PI would be a good mentor in the field as well
Better/more publications, possibly
Would involve getting an NIH student grant - good for CV?
Both would have the opportunity to publish, but if I stayed at my university, it would likely go to a better journal, be with well-known co-authors, and might even involve more than one paper.
Pros of small town:
Much preferred location
Better lifestyle (probably)
Free housing, with perks
No application process
Pros of staying at my institution:
Institution has well-known psych department
Would work with a big name PI
PI would be a good mentor in the field as well
Better/more publications, possibly
Would involve getting an NIH student grant - good for CV?