Which research should I pick?

[passionformed]

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So I am in a confusing situation. I have two positions to pick from, and both have their pros and cons. One is a computer based protein modeling, and the other is a wet lab protein purification.

Pros of wet lab: paid, wet lab experience, more "pre medical?"
Cons: too demanding, seems like I'm doing mostly busywork, chances for something independent/publications seems low, not too interesting, little contact with pi

Pros of modeling research: chances for publications look high, interesting to me, looks like there is critical thinking involved, contact with pi
Cons: unpaid, not wet lab

Fyi, I already have another part time job.

 

[roundza]

Wow lucky you! What year are you in? Are you going to be factoring in a heavy courseload? MCAT prep? Applications?

My advice would be to stick with the option that would allow you to manage your time realistically. Both positions sound great. Go with the one where you feel your talents would be best utilized and where you feel you "click" most with your PI. Most schools will want to see a LOR from a PI, so this means a lot more than whether you are in a wet lab imo. I dunno what the pay is like for the wet lab, but from my own job seaches in the past I doubt it's enough to justify giving up a glowing recommendation and a publication on your app. That being said, I have no idea what your financial situaiton is so if you need the money then that's sort of a no brainer 🙂

Hope that helps!

 

[teenyfish]

I would go with the more computer modeling based one. If that's where your interests lie and you already have another source of income, I would do it. Plus, contact with the PI is invaluable.

 

[Omppu27]

Go to the one you are more interested in. Being in a lab where you aren't interested in the subject would be awful... Especially when you're writing proposals for scholarships and such.

 

[kyamh]

Wet lab is notorious for having mindless pre-meds doing uninteresting work. You have to work twice as hard to distinguish yourself, go with computer modeling!

 

[premed3445]

So I am in a confusing situation. I have two positions to pick from, and both have their pros and cons. One is a computer based protein modeling, and the other is a wet lab protein purification.

Pros of wet lab: paid, wet lab experience, more "pre medical?"
Cons: too demanding, seems like I'm doing mostly busywork, chances for something independent/publications seems low, not too interesting, little contact with pi

Pros of modeling research: chances for publications look high, interesting to me, looks like there is critical thinking involved, contact with pi
Cons: unpaid, not wet lab

Fyi, I already have another part time job.

If I were you, I'd go for the modeling research. Sure, it's unpaid, but the LOR from a PI who would know you better, the higher chances for a publication, and working in something you're actually interesting in would far outweigh the paid wet lab experience. The modeling research would benefit you far more in the long run than the wet lab research.

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

I would pick the second option.