Which is better?

[caseofthemndays]

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I just graduated undergrad in Dec., and I'm still waiting to hear back if I got in to a program that starts in September (I actually didn't get in to med school, so I'm applying to SMPs) . I have decent EC's, clinical, volunteer, shadowing... I'm thinking this summer, I can either try to get some sort of lab aide/ research position or do some overseas volunteer work. What do you think would be better. I think overseas volunteer would be more my style, but is research experience important enough to dwarf that?

 

[235009]

if you have no research experience there is no chance that anyone will pay you to work in their lab and you'd even be hard pressed to find a prof who would let you work in their lab for free if you are just planning to stay there for the summer and you have no experience in a lab.

important question is what was holding you back last application cycle? how is your MCAT? do you really need to do the SMP or would you be better off working for the year and bolstering your ECs?

 

[TexasPhysician]

I'd do the overseas stuff.....if it was me.

 

[caseofthemndays]

if you have no research experience there is no chance that anyone will pay you to work in their lab and you'd even be hard pressed to find a prof who would let you work in their lab for free if you are just planning to stay there for the summer and you have no experience in a lab.

important question is what was holding you back last application cycle? how is your MCAT? do you really need to do the SMP or would you be better off working for the year and bolstering your ECs?

Pretty sure it was the grades. 3.2. Solid MCAT. EC's include the us, (that's an abbreve for usual, FYI) shadowing, tutoring, working with the disabled, clinical stuff (worked as a med tech) volunteering, sports. Glowing LORs. This isn't really a "what are my chances thread", though...