Seeking research experience as a recent grad: work or masters degree?

[factanonverba]

Hi guys,

 

So I'm new to this forum, but I have this problem and would like to hear some advice from you.

 

My background:

I just recently graduated from UW Seattle (international student), GPA 3.87, biochemistry major, with Honors; I have 1 year of independent undergrad research, for which I did a poster presentation, wrote a senior honors thesis, and gained a publication co-authorship. 

 

I would like to pursue a phD in a top biochemistry program (with a focus on cancer research), but am convinced that my one year of undergrad research is not enough to get me into a good PhD program. I have decided to continue to gain more research experience and apply to PhD programs for 2017 fall. However, right now I have two ways to go about doing this: 

1. Stay in Seattle for a couple more years and find a research assistant/technician job at, say, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center; or, 

2. go to UBC Vancouver, Canada to do a masters in Biochemistry (2 years, research-oriented, funded).

 

I have already been accepted into a lab at UBC, and currently going to interviews for a couple of research assistant positions in Seattle. The problem is, each option seems to have its own problems:

1. If I stay in Seattle, I would mostly likely work in a research institute like Fred Hutch; does research experience at such an institute carry as much weight as that at a research university? When I apply to PhD, my PI will be one of my recommenders; (s)he is obviously going to be a senior researcher, but not a university professor. Do you think that would put me at a disadvantage?

2. The lab at UBC I got accepted into is fairly new (around 2 years old), and the PI is an assistant professor. The research they do is in an interesting area, but different from my main interest (cancer). 

 

Do you think option 1 or 2 is a better way for me to gain research experience? 

 

I would greatly appreciate any input or advice from you!

Edited July 10, 2015 by factanonverba

[eeee1923]

Since you want to work in cancer research, the Fred Hutchinson would be a solid choice IMO than the masters. Since your masters would be funded, then that would also be a viable option. Just to let you know there are plenty of people that work as research techs before a PhD and don't find too much trouble getting in.

 

Ultimately this is a very personal decision but I thought I'd let you know that working at a research institute should not be viewed as a disadvantage. Also keep in contact with your PI from your undergrad and let him/her know of your plans so that they can write you a strong letter when you eventually apply. 

[rising_star]

Working in the lab will be a good experience. As long as you get someone with a PhD from there to write your rec letter, you should be good to go.

[TakeruK]

Disclaimer: I am a UBC alum!

 

If your main goal is a good PhD program in the end, I think you should go for the Masters at UBC. As you might know, the grad school system in Canada works differently than in the US. In the US, a PhD is earned through a 5-7 year PhD program after your BS. In Canada, everyone does a 2 year MSc after their BSc, and then go to a 3-5 year PhD program after their 2 year MSc. That is, the MSc in Canada is the same as the first two years of a PhD program in the US. This is why MSc programs in Canada are funded--if they were not, it would be equivalent to only funding PhD students starting from year 3 and beyond.

 

I think the MSc program is a good path to an eventual PhD because what better way to show that you are qualified to be in grad school than to be in grad school? The downside though is that you would not be able to use the MSc time as "credit" towards a PhD unless you go to a Canadian school for a PhD. Also, you will be doing coursework as well, so it won't be as "full time" research as staying in Seattle and your pay will probably be lower.

 

But you will be able to stay closer to academia. You will be able to meet visiting scholars from other schools, build relationships with other graduate students, postdocs, and professors that you can keep developing throughout your career. You'll also gain more academic reference letters.

 

I definitely agree with the above posters that working at a research institute is not going to disadvantage you. I'm just pointing out that a Masters in Canada is very different than a Masters in the United States. Honestly, I think you would already have been competitive for the top PhD grad programs. But here, you have two awesome choices and both will set you up for great opportunities with PhD programs!