What would you do in my position?

[yangxx2]

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Hey guys 🙂 I'd like your advice & thoughts on my situation please 🙂

I had applied for 3-4 internships between January and February,and by the end of March, I assumed I was rejected from all of them.

So I approached a retired scientist at my school to ask to do research. She is a biochemist who has an interest in Alzheimer's Disease (exactly paralleling my interests). I asked to do research, and she asked if I wanted to do it during the summer (at a program in my undergrad) or during the year. I said either would work, but I was pretty sure it would be fall since the summer program deadline was approaching quickly.

Turns out, the program she works with (for retired scientists at my school) wanted to sponsor me as a student during the summer. Even though there was an application process, I was 95% sure I was getting it and my plans for the summer were set. I would be researching various agents against neurodegeneration, yadda yadda.

But this morning, I found out I got accepted to SMDEP!! 😱

So now, I don't know which to choose. On the one hand, SMDEP is an amazing opportunity that will never come again (because I am a sophomore), but on the other hand, I feel like I should stick with the research program since I was the one who asked her to be my mentor.

Advice please? Basically, which one is more beneficial for medical school?

**My pre-med adviser at school said to do SMDEP, and try to get research with her during the year. But I feel bad withdrawing my application so late, and I don't get credit for the research until spring semester junior year. As a biochemistry major, is research strongly suggested for medical schools?

Sorry this was so long. Thanks in advance for the advice!!

 

[Stratego]

I'd take the one related to my personal interests that would leave the door open to continuing research during the school year. Also, having a more personal relationship with your mentor has a good chance of resulting in an outstanding recommendation letter. And you'd be right to feel bad if you dumped this opportunity when you initiated the contact on your home turf.

About 60% of med students have research listed on their application. It isn't required, but it makes your application stronger.

 

[yangxx2]

I'd take the one related to my personal interests that would leave the door open to continuing research during the school year. Also, having a more personal relationship with your mentor has a good chance of resulting in an outstanding recommendation letter. And you'd be right to feel bad if you dumped this opportunity when you initiated the contact on your home turf.

About 60% of med students have research listed on their application. It isn't required, but it makes your application stronger.

That's exactly what the adviser said too!
But she still recommended SMDEP, because she said I would never get a chance like that again, whereas I could do research next summer as a continuation of my junior year.
Decisions, decisions.

Thanks for the advice! 👍

 

[tiedyeddog]

Do the SMDEP thing and do the other stuff during the year, no biggie. Just tell the P.I. something came up but would be more than willing to start work in the fall.

 

[scarletgirl777]

Do the SMDEP thing and do the other stuff during the year, no biggie. Just tell the P.I. something came up but would be more than willing to start work in the fall.

The PI probably won't get upset with you if you do the research during the year, if that's what you're afraid of. So if you really want to do SMDEP, you should go for it because like you said, this is your last chance.

 

[yangxx2]

Do the SMDEP thing and do the other stuff during the year, no biggie. Just tell the P.I. something came up but would be more than willing to start work in the fall.

The PI probably won't get upset with you if you do the research during the year, if that's what you're afraid of. So if you really want to do SMDEP, you should go for it because like you said, this is your last chance.

Cool, that's what I was thinking of doing. Thanks!
But should I tell the PI that I am doing SMDEP, or just say something came up?

 

[NeuroKidd]

Just be honest about it. Let her know that you were under the impression that you had been rejected from other Summer opportunities but were recently accepted and would like to attend. Chances are she'll be more supportive than you're expecting and will offer you a spot in her lab during the year. While I'd agree with some other posts that research is important, having an uncommon academic experience that includes some clinical applications will, I suspect, be just as beneficial in the long run.

 

[tiedyeddog]

Cool, that's what I was thinking of doing. Thanks!
But should I tell the PI that I am doing SMDEP, or just say something came up?

Be honest about it. Really stress that you still want to work in the lab but you just need to start in the fall instead of the summer. Shouldn't be a big deal.

 

[135892]

She initially did offer to let you start in the fall, so I'm sure she'll be fine if you bail out on this summer. I would be upfront about it, or at least tell her a good excuse, although I'm sure she'll understand if you give her a plausible explanation for why you'll be gone during the summer. But, out of curiosity, what is so special about SMDEP? Is it really that big of a deal... Will it actually help you in anyway, besides just for "personal growth"? I'm not intending to put-down your acceptance, but I really don't know much about it, except for what it generally is.

 

[yangxx2]

Just be honest about it. Let her know that you were under the impression that you had been rejected from other Summer opportunities but were recently accepted and would like to attend. Chances are she'll be more supportive than you're expecting and will offer you a spot in her lab during the year. While I'd agree with some other posts that research is important, having an uncommon academic experience that includes some clinical applications will, I suspect, be just as beneficial in the long run.

Be honest about it. Really stress that you still want to work in the lab but you just need to start in the fall instead of the summer. Shouldn't be a big deal.

She initially did offer to let you start in the fall, so I'm sure she'll be fine if you bail out on this summer. I would be upfront about it, or at least tell her a good excuse, although I'm sure she'll understand if you give her a plausible explanation for why you'll be gone during the summer. But, out of curiosity, what is so special about SMDEP? Is it really that big of a deal... Will it actually help you in anyway, besides just for "personal growth"? I'm not intending to put-down your acceptance, but I really don't know much about it, except for what it generally is.

Thanks so much for the advice NeuroKidd and tiedyeddog! Hopefully she'll understand 🙂

And gatorsbball, SMDEP is a nationally recognized enrichment program for pre-med and pre-dental students. it basically includes (from the website): "academic enrichment, learning and study skills development, communication skills, career development, and other program highlights"
Basically an intro & how-to for med/dental school. Plus we get panels with adcoms and stuff 🙂

 

[yangxx2]

BUMP
Just want to get a few more opinions please~