Whether to include post-bac Research experience that was ~6 months

[jan_dents]

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Hey everyone, I participated in a program that was designed to be 1 year long but I terminated my position 6 months early because I wasn't happy with the research project, but more importantly because I wanted more clinical experience. I applied for jobs as a medical assistant and started working in an office after six months. I left a great institution with verbal confirmations that if I needed a LOR I would receive one.
I'm wondering if I should include this experience on my app or not. Idk if it'll be a red flag that I left a T20 research institution position to pursue clinical experience that I started 6 months later. I plan on applying next cycle and increasing my clinical exposure to offset leaving early. I was babysitting and other odd jobs throughout the last year, so idk if I should just say that's all I was doing for my first gap year.

 

[jan_dents]

@Goro @LizzyM @gyngyn I heard you three are the people to ask. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Goro]

Hey everyone, I participated in a program that was designed to be 1 year long but I terminated my position 6 months early because I wasn't happy with the research project, but more importantly because I wanted more clinical experience. I applied for jobs as a medical assistant and started working in an office after six months. I left a great institution with verbal confirmations that if I needed a LOR I would receive one.
I'm wondering if I should include this experience on my app or not. Idk if it'll be a red flag that I left a T20 research institution position to pursue clinical experience that I started 6 months later. I plan on applying next cycle and increasing my clinical exposure to offset leaving early. I was babysitting and other odd jobs throughout the last year, so idk if I should just say that's all I was doing for my first gap year.

It'll be okay to mention. Obviously don't use the lab for a letter of recommendation

 

[jan_dents]

It'll be okay to mention. Obviously don't use the lab for a letter of recommendation

Okay, my mentality was to show that although I left the program early it was on good terms. But I really wouldn't be able to tell what they wrote.

I have ~1500 research hours outside of that institution, so is it worth it to include that experience?

 

[Goro]

Okay, my mentality was to show that although I left the program early it was on good terms. But I really wouldn't be able to tell what they wrote.

I have ~1500 research hours outside of that institution, so is it worth it to include that experience?

Yes, and you are over thinking this. Chill.

 

[trobinsonmd]

Idk about mentioning just baby sitting for your gap year... is there anything else you did during that time? maybe traveled and worked on learning a foreign language? any research or tutoring or experiences that maybe helped foster/cultivate diversity? it is not necessary, but it is a nice touch when you can show that you continued growing personally and professionally during your gap year... if you can't come up with anything though, don't stress.

 

[jan_dents]

Idk about mentioning just baby sitting for your gap year... is there anything else you did during that time? maybe traveled and worked on learning a foreign language? any research or tutoring or experiences that maybe helped foster/cultivate diversity? it is not necessary, but it is a nice touch when you can show that you continued growing personally and professionally during your gap year... if you can't come up with anything though, don't stress.

I also worked as a dental assitant to increase my patient care experience but I'm not sure if that would add dimension to me as an applicant or be a red flag. It was the only healthcare experience I could get while I waited for an opportunity in medicine.

 

[LizzyM]

I also worked as a dental assitant to increase my patient care experience but I'm not sure if that would add dimension to me as an applicant or be a red flag. It was the only healthcare experience I could get while I waited for an opportunity in medicine.

Being a dental assistant would be very relevant. It could also be a topic you could speak of based on experience when asked "why medicine" or "what other careers have you considered" or "if not medicine, then what".

 

[trobinsonmd]

I also worked as a dental assitant to increase my patient care experience but I'm not sure if that would add dimension to me as an applicant or be a red flag. It was the only healthcare experience I could get while I waited for an opportunity in medicine.

definitely not a red flag... shows you have experience in other aspects of healthcare/have weighed your other options and are making an informed decision about what field of healthcare to go into

 

[smukke]

I also worked as a dental assitant to increase my patient care experience but I'm not sure if that would add dimension to me as an applicant or be a red flag. It was the only healthcare experience I could get while I waited for an opportunity in medicine.

I'd list the dental assisting, and depending on how you list your activities babysitting too. "I needed money to live" is a valid reason that no adult should fault you on for taking a job (it might not give you any points but isn't a negative) and shows more maturity than "I traveled for a year" "How did you afford it?" "My parents"