a choice for the unaccepted

[cellophanetower]

Background:
I want to enter a phd in health policy, but i also want my md.  both are equally important to me.  I applied to both, got into none.

The choice:
I have a job opportunity to work in a well known (internationally!) medical wetlab, doing benchwork, with little pay, but decent benefits.
The other choice is maintaining my current job of

Comments

[holdup123]

Do you have any research experience right now? If you haven't done a thesis, you honestly do not have a shot at a PhD program. Also what did you say in your SOP, did you say ANYTHING about going for an MD? That right there might be a reason why you were rejected. Even if you want to teach in a med school or something, some academics will not be too happy with that. Don't believe me, read back about 50 entries and see what some people on here felt about MD programs/students.
Anyways, my suggestions. Even with a year working in a wetlab, you will not get into a PhD-MD program, they're way too competitive. You will need to pursue an MS degree in the hard sciences to show your seriousness. BUT, working in a wetlab for a year will not hurt you for an MD, you will also need to volunteer in the hospital though to get "patient contact". I suggest also shadowing a physician on top of volunteering. Take any courses over again that you might not have gotten an A or B on, if you had nothing less than a B take some other medical/science course. And work on your interviewing skills. If there is a med school around you go in and talk with their secretaries/advisors/professors even if you don't plan on applying there.

[roseofjuly]

If you haven't done a thesis, you honestly do not have a shot at a PhD program.

This is simply not true. There are only about 4 students in my undergrad department who are doing a senior thesis, yet about 30% of us are headed to graduate programs next year, and there are several of us going to doctoral programs who didn't do a thesis.

Research experience of any kind is most important.

[holdup123]

Depends on the subject, but the OP is in the sciences. You will need to have research experience in order to be able to get into a PhD program.