Choosing between 2 internships — which better?

  • Choosing between 2 internships — which better?

    Posted by Vanshika  on July 27, 2020 at 8:14 pm

    Hello Everyone!! I am a little conflicted — I have two internship opportunities and idk which one to take… especially keeping in mind I have MCATs coming up next semester and it’s my last year to bring up my GPA…. I was hoping you could tell me what you think from your personal experience.

    I have one option for an unpaid internship where I am kind of a medical scribe and administrative assistant for a pediatric cardiologist. I’ll have more opportunity to take patient histories, etc. The only thing is it is a greater time commitment and it is about an hour away from my house….

    The other option is a paid internship MUCH closer to my house and a more flexible time commitment (only 3-5hrs only a few times a week). The only thing is this position is more administrative, I can’t really scribe but I will be checking in patients, booking appointments, helping with the social media aspect, etc. I really am interested in both (a little more interested in the first one if I’m being completely honest though) but the time commitment and proximity to my house makes the second one more appealing. I did need to contact both doctors multiple times in order to get the position.

    I just wanted to know what you think and which one you would take? Which one you think would be “better” for applications? Because tbh the second is fine with me but idk if it’s enough “clinical” experience? Do you think the second one will help my application?

    Thanks in advance 🙂

    BreakThru replied 2 years, 6 months ago 4 Members · 3 Replies
  • 3 Replies
  • Nathan

    Member
    July 28, 2020 at 10:30 pm
    1680 Stars

    Are either opportunities in a field you’re interested in going into?

  • Mamun

    Member
    July 29, 2020 at 11:12 am
    185 Stars

    Hi Vanshika,

    In short, MCAT/GPA>>>> Clincal Experience.

    Given the time commitment and your commute, do you think your first option would compromise your ability to keep up with classes and MCAT prep? If yes, I would avoid it if I were in your shoes.

    The long answer is that it depends. Where do you stand academically? The average GPA for matriculants in a US medical school for 2019-2020 was 3.73, with an MCAT score of ~512 (this may vary by DO/MD schools). Would picking the first option prevent you from getting similar stats?

    Do you have any other experience? Do you plan on taking a gap year or do you want to start medical school right after completing your undergrad? If you plan on taking a gap year, you can easily work in tons of clinical hours.

  • BreakThru

    Organizer
    October 17, 2021 at 6:50 pm
    5826 Stars

    Heya Vanshika! It’s been a little over a year since those two internship opportunities came up, I was wondering what you decided to go with?

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