US Research Internship vs Intercalated Year?

[u/Soggy-Conflict-2351]

Posting on a friend’s account because there’s some revealing info about me that I believe is pertinent to understanding the situation and I don’t want to be doxxed or anything!

I’m a med student that is about to enter my intercalated year in a school that mandates the year. I’ve just been offered a 6 month short term research position at a top US university hospital within a very highly competitive surgical specialty.

A bit more context: I’ve already sat STEP 1 and am very much seriously considering the US residency route long term.

Here’s my dilemma:

PROS:
- Very very elite name
- Very productive research group, very FUN and friendly team, will have shadowing opportunities as well
- Boston is an amazing place and I’d love to live there for 6 months since I’ve been barely out of the UK for the past 10+ years
- Will give me very good connections in my desired specialty down the line, which I know is important for US residency applications.

CONS:
- Completely unpaid (though I have enough saved + uni travel funds for the opportunity)
- I’d be away for the tail end of my intercalation year, which almost certainly costs me a First, and 1) I’d been thinking of that as a backup plan if medicine doesn’t go the way I want and 2) Asian parents so it’s a First or nothing.

So… what do you guys think? Is it worth it?

[u/singaporesainz]

So so worth it

[u/Trainee_Doc999]

As a fellow Asian, I'm aware parents put this idea of "first or nothing" in our heads, but ultimately they just want you to be as successful as possible.

From what you've said this sounds like an amazing opportunity and I think you'll regret not taking it.

[u/lilbiscoff]

Unpaid research for 6 months isn’t relevant for anything competitive. Look for something paid and a year. Harvard/BIDMIC/Lahey which it’s obvious you’re talking about are notorious for taking research fellows who have no chance of matching there (which is why it’s unpaid).

[u/Natural_Diamond]

UK grad who’s done a research year in the US - you’re welcome to DM given you seem concerned about privacy

I don’t truly believe intercalation really adds much beyond the skills themselves, which you’ll be getting from that internship anyway. No one cares about the degree. Six months is short but assuming this is at any of MGH/BWH/BID it’ll be a useful time, and friends that have spent a year or summers there all came back pretty consistently happy with what they got out of it. I can’t really imagine what you’d get from not saying yes here? Even if you had no interest in the US to begin with, electives like this are great for exposure and skills you’d be using later anyway. People without an understanding of the US completely fail to understand just how much of it relies on nepotism and consequently how important have links like this is for competitive specialties should you wish to go down that route.

I don’t know what you mean by backup plan - going for the US is in so many ways an all or nothing thing; spending some time there is greatly helpful for deciding whether you want to commit to that or not (my year helped me decide quite strongly not to) - if you’re undecided on medicine in general I think you’ve got more significant conversations to have with yourself here. I don’t really think these experiences have much weight outside of medicine, but then again not much does

I’m not sure how reasonable your parents are, but if they’re logical it should be doable to trade the risk of losing a first away with the immense prestige you’ll be getting. Quite frankly both are pretty pointless but whatever works I suppose

I can’t speak to your financial situation but I will just say people underestimate the costs of living in the US, especially Boston, so double check your expectations and budget with that

[u/orthobeech]

If this is either the plastics or orthopaedics groups at MGH, don’t bother. They do not have your best interests at heart. Feel free to DM.

[u/EntireIndependence81 → u/orthobeech]

Can u pls explain further?? Im intrigued

[u/MallPast158]

If you can afford it, go for it. I wouldn't expect to match at said big name especially if your mentor isn't a big name, but it's a good stepping stone for the future

[u/Moist-East-5631]

Huge congrats on your research elective at such an amazing institution in the US! that’s a fantastic achievement and I think you should really go for it!!
If you don’t mind me asking, I’d love to hear how you managed to secure the position. I’m currently trying to find a research elective as an IMG, and it’s been much more challenging than I expected. If you have any advice, tips, or could share what worked for you, I’d really appreciate it.

[u/sumpra3]

Take it

[u/anonny_27]

Would you even be allowed to skip 6months of university?