What to do next year

[UofMinnAspirations]

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Hi SDN,

I have a decision to make for next year and I'm currently struggling to make it. I am retaking my MCAT and applying for schools this coming year and am also a graduating senior. I have to decide what to do in my gap year and originally thought I would apply for a few research jobs at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN (I'm from the area). However, a research professor just offered to pay my tuition to start my Master's and do research for her at my current undergrad and possibly receive a stipend as well. Is it going to be a better decision for me to apply for the job at Mayo and do research during my gap year, or to accept the scholarship to continue my research at my undergrad and start a Master's? I'd likely start my Master's in Biology with a concentration in Physiology (and would finish it if I don't get accepted for Med school for Fall 2017).

Thanks!

 

[cyanide12345678]

So you're asking if research + free masters + stipend is > research only?

 

[UofMinnAspirations]

@cyanide12345678 yes, but doing research only I would make decent $$ and could have a decent looking bank account before med school. Whereas the stipend isn't guaranteed yet so that's the only thing holding me back.

 

[cyanide12345678]

Is either one of the research options clinical? If there is bench research, or if you're collecting primary data (which will take months and years), then run far away. Clinical research is ridiculously easy to publish 🙂

Also, I doubt you'd have a "decent looking back account" with a research position. Post docs hardly make 30k -_-

 

[cyanide12345678]

2 years of bench research during under grad = 1 poster presentation.

10 weeks of clinical research during med school (was given 5 years of data to make sense of ) = 1 publication + 2 national posters.

If everything else is equal, the masters might be better, especially if a crappy gpa is holding you back. The masters can be your chance to redeem a crappy gpa.

 

[UofMinnAspirations]

It is $21 an hour, 40 hours a week, approx. 40k a year. But still thinking masters is the best plan?

 

[bananafish94]

But you don't have a guarantee of the job at Mayo; I would take the guaranteed deal!

 

[UofMinnAspirations]

yes, good point @bananafish94