taking a class....which one would you do?

[mdeast]

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Hey all,
So I have free tuition at the university I work at (although limited course selection) and figured I should take advantage of it while I'm here. I'm doing the whole 2 years post-bac research thing while applying to medical school. I also thought it might make for a good inclusion in an update letter to schools later this Fall if I want to get off the dreaded hold list at a few places. Anyway, I have three options.

1- Clinical Research Course- work in the hospital for 10 hours/week conducting clinical research, weekly taught class (2-3 hours) on issues in clinical research. 13 hours/week, two 5-hours shifts, 1 lecture. 3 days/week. It's mainly undergrads (pre-medy type undergrads). I'm 24.

2- Bioethics course- lecture/seminar course on the sociology of bioethics in medicine. 3 hours/week in the evening. INTERESTING readings.

3- Cell/Molecular Biology - graduate level class for PhD students on cell biology, primary literature reviews, etc. Seminar course, not a lecture style course. 3 hours/week. Maybe I do enough bio research to begin with? lol.

I like the first option, because basically I'd be interviewing patients in the ER for 10 hours a week with a real purpose (normal volunteering can be boring in my experience). Only, I already end up working about 50-60 hours/week in my current job, and fitting in another 12 hours on top of an active social life (hey, it's my time off after college), seems a little daunting. I also volunteer with a social work agency one day a week related to healthcare, and I doubt clinical exposure now will have much affect on this application cycle.

I'd imagine these all would have little effect on my application- so what would you take?

 

[Mattabet]

If we're discounting (or mostly discounting) the effect on your application, I'd go with number 2. It seems interesting, and a bit of a change of pace from all the heavy science, which can be a really nice thing.

If it were just to help the application; I'd go with number 1. But as you noted, you've done a pretty significant amount of work to get the clinical base covered.

 

[WildKitty]

To be honest, if it is just about improving your application - I wouldn't do any of those things. Taking classes or doing research are all things that anyone does and doesn't set you apart. After talking with some admin, they all say the thing that really makes people stand out is when they get married.


It shows real maturity and that you can manage your time and personal life well and good priorities.

I would definitely get married - check out this site: some good picks - http://www.goodwife.com/

 

[Googleman]

To be honest, if it is just about improving your application - I wouldn't do any of those things. Taking classes or doing research are all things that anyone does and doesn't set you apart. After talking with some admin, they all say the thing that really makes people stand out is when they get married.


It shows real maturity and that you can manage your time and personal life well and good priorities.

I would definitely get married - check out this site: some good picks - http://www.goodwife.com/

I am not sure if this is joke - but it's true. Especially if your spouse goes to the school of your choice, you'll have a 3x better shot.

 

[IceMan0824]

Hey all,
So I have free tuition at the university I work at (although limited course selection) and figured I should take advantage of it while I'm here. I'm doing the whole 2 years post-bac research thing while applying to medical school. I also thought it might make for a good inclusion in an update letter to schools later this Fall if I want to get off the dreaded hold list at a few places. Anyway, I have three options.

1- Clinical Research Course- work in the hospital for 10 hours/week conducting clinical research, weekly taught class (2-3 hours) on issues in clinical research. 13 hours/week, two 5-hours shifts, 1 lecture. 3 days/week. It's mainly undergrads (pre-medy type undergrads). I'm 24.

2- Bioethics course- lecture/seminar course on the sociology of bioethics in medicine. 3 hours/week in the evening. INTERESTING readings.

3- Cell/Molecular Biology - graduate level class for PhD students on cell biology, primary literature reviews, etc. Seminar course, not a lecture style course. 3 hours/week. Maybe I do enough bio research to begin with? lol.

I like the first option, because basically I'd be interviewing patients in the ER for 10 hours a week with a real purpose (normal volunteering can be boring in my experience). Only, I already end up working about 50-60 hours/week in my current job, and fitting in another 12 hours on top of an active social life (hey, it's my time off after college), seems a little daunting. I also volunteer with a social work agency one day a week related to healthcare, and I doubt clinical exposure now will have much affect on this application cycle.

I'd imagine these all would have little effect on my application- so what would you take?

If you are interested, why not go to the post-bacc forum and look up Penn's Post-Bacc thread. Lots of good information there and you can always ask a question.

I'm also assuming you are referring to Penn since the info you listed (free tuition for workers, Clinical Research in EM, etc...) sound like it refers to Penn.

 

[Exalya]

Ethics courses in my experience as a philosophy minor, are usually pretty light on the amount of work you have to do but give you a lot to think about. I love any philosophically-oriented class... so I'm all for that one. ^.^ Especially if you haven't had the opportunity to take a lot of classes like that.

Good luck!

 

[DeadliestSnatch]

Take the one you're most interested in! #2 sounds good.