<p>How widespread is "hard science" research among medical school matriculants? Is it worth it to pass over an internship offer related to a student's major but unrelated to medicine just to get some bench research experience?</p>
<p>I’d personally do whatever you like more and whatever you think would be more personally rewarding. In general, doing something purely to “look good” for medical school is not the best MO. You’re much better off dedicating your summer to something you care about.</p>
<p>Seems like you’re really wondering, “Will my application be sunk if I don’t have any research experience?” and my response to that would be that it depends on the remainder of your application. Is this the only area you’re lacking? If so, then you’ll likely be fine, assuming your other areas are strong. </p>
<p>Any reason to believe this is the only opportunity you’ll have to do one or the other? If so, I’d choose the one that’s only available now, and hope another opportunity to do the other arises in the future.</p>
<p>Depending on what year you are, you might want to look into this: [Mount</a> Sinai School of Medicine - Scimed](<a href=“http://www.mssm.edu/education/medical-education/programs/scimed]Mount”>http://www.mssm.edu/education/medical-education/programs/scimed)</p>
<p>@kristin5792: Thanks for the input. I like your idea of doing whatever is more personally rewarding. If I could find a way to do both the internship while getting some substantial bench research experience, that would be most ideal. Otherwise, I’ll probably end up doing the internship.</p>
<p>@MountSinai: The program sounds interesting, but I don’t think I meet their major requirements. I am not a math, genetics, engineering, or computer science major.</p>