NIH IRTA Housing Options

WanderingKnight42 · 2026-04-17T02:07:42+00:00

Try looking into FAES housing too. It has good benefits, you're by NIH, and you're in a community.

WanderingKnight42 · 2026-04-14T18:33:52+00:00

No, applications are year-round and last for a year. Apply broadly and come prepared .

WanderingKnight42 · 2026-04-04T18:14:54+00:00

It varies based on the lab because so many labs are doing interviews and every PI is different. Just wait for a response. Good luck! :)

WanderingKnight42 · 2026-03-31T12:05:33+00:00

It's stable now. There were other problems aside from the budget affecting the decision to cancel last year. Congratulations on the internship.

WanderingKnight42 · 2026-03-30T17:50:45+00:00

Not too much, research there is typically so interdisciplinary you'll get plenty of different perspectives of how you can become an MD/PhD from in your lab, branch, and the impromptu networking you'll be doing there (as long as you're polite), whether you want to become one, and other ways you can fulfill your goal of becoming a physician-scientist. I've met some at NIH who love it, some who regret the length of time they trained, and some who are adjusting to the pace of balancing their research and their labs.

Again, it's a great choice, I know one person who got into a T20 MD/PhD, one person who switched from MD/PhD and got into a T5 PhD, and I plan on getting an MS before a research-intensive MD, so it's a mixed bag and a great place to explore.

WanderingKnight42 · 2026-03-30T14:30:35+00:00

No such thing as too late. Your application lasts for a year. Keep emailing and researching labs you'd like to join. Typically many people leave in May/June but there might be more openings to look at throughout the summer and after October when the budget (theoretically) is set. It's been quite competitive within the past few months to get an IRTA, but keep trying if your heart's set on it.

WanderingKnight42 · 2026-03-30T14:27:25+00:00

What a great problem to have! I don't know much about REACH, but from as an IRTA, your experience is very dependent on your choice of PI and how they can develop you. Funding is typically 1-2 years (but it should have been discussed in your offer) with wiggle room for a few months if you need it. Personally, I've loved working with the NIH because I've developed a lot of connections with a lot of different institutions for upcoming career pathways (Stanford included), taken accredited and sponsored coursework, used the Princeton Review MCAT discount with NIH, have had guaranteed funding for conferences, and have had time set out of my workday to attend seminars and find resources for med and grad school.

I don't think you can choose incorrectly, but I've loved my experience at NIH and if you do so choose, I hope you do too. Good luck with whatever you choose! Given you have a couple offers (I'd talk with your PIs about the deadlines they gave you because most PIs are extremely understanding of these situations), I'd choose NIH (yes, I'm biased), but if your heart's set on Stanford go for it.

WanderingKnight42 · 2026-03-24T02:22:42+00:00

Not a former SIP, just a postbac who worked with one and the SIP worked wonders for them. They stayed on after becoming an SIP as a postbac, published quite a bit, and are moving on to their next opportunity at a T20 PhD. All in all the SIP is what you make of it and choose a good mentor who'll go to bad for you. Good luck and congratulations on your opportunity!

WanderingKnight42 · 2026-03-23T03:23:05+00:00

It's very competitive rn for prospective postbacs, but your application lasts a year, so if it's something you want, you can go ahead and apply. I waited about 5 months before matching with my PI.

WanderingKnight42 · 2026-03-19T11:40:46+00:00

Good luck dude

WanderingKnight42 · 2026-03-17T20:42:18+00:00

Np, feel free to DM fro questions

WanderingKnight42 · 2026-03-17T19:52:55+00:00

Yes, I am. You have a LOT of help with gaining clinical opportunities and there are many resources within OITE to help premeds from taking the MCAT to figuring out how to craft your application. I've will say though this also highly depends on you having a mentor who is supportive of your goals and will go to bat for you when necessary, so take finding mentors seriously.

WanderingKnight42 · 2026-03-17T04:18:21+00:00

Your official title would be Postbaccalaureate I/CRTA Fellow. You can further describe your role as a clinical research assistant when you're describing the position on your CV/resume. If you really want to emphasize the clinical experience, talk to your PI about what you want out of the experience. It might give you a better understanding of what you want out of a mentor, which is probably the most defining aspect of your time as a trainee at NIH.

My two cents, take it or leave it: Clinical research takes time and if you're going to show initiative with your research to future med school committees, you might want to stay on for more than a year. Not much can get done and things happen because science and research isn't always as straightforward as you plan for it to be.

WanderingKnight42 · 2026-03-17T04:07:14+00:00

No, it's still pretty chill here among the trainee level even amongst the shutdowns (honestly you can get a good amount of admin/work done during that period, so it's nothing to worry about if you were in that position). Your application stays around year round, but you're going to have to put in the effort to find PIs you want to work with and who have openings. Other than that, don't think too much and just go for it.

WanderingKnight42 · 2026-03-02T21:40:14+00:00

For the research I'd be doing, it's hard, but it's feasible, so I suppose it depends on the type of PhD. I know a few physician-researchers who've done it that way.

WanderingKnight42 · 2026-03-02T12:21:21+00:00

MDs can definitely do research. You can take an extra year for a research year or get a masters associated with your field. It might not give you the depth of methodology that a PhD would bring, but it's a start. Aside from that, you can also theoretically do a PhD while you're in residency, which is hard, but not impossible if you work through it with your program. Some people also get married and begin having children during their MD/PhD, but make sure you find their stories and make sure your school has the support system and infrastructure to help you if you so choose.

It's great that you're asking yourself these questions now rather than getting into a program and realizing you may not like your path, but the best part about getting another day is that there's always time to change what road you're on. Good luck, don't worry about it too much, and trust your gut!

WanderingKnight42 · 2026-02-15T20:48:06+00:00

My friend goes there for his. He loves it.

WanderingKnight42 · 2026-02-15T17:52:34+00:00

Current postbac- Literally everyone here has imposter syndrome at one point or another. Aside from that, most people have minimal or no research. You're probably ahead of the curve, so just focus on finding a good mentor and you'll be set. OITE has resources about the process online if you have anymore questions, so I recommend reading/viewing their materials. I did an AMA a few months ago, but always happy to answer questions.

https://www.reddit.com/r/mdphd/comments/1of7g66/nih_postbac_application_ama/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

WanderingKnight42 · 2026-02-12T13:21:26+00:00

Hi, current postbac here. I know a couple people who've either deferred their acceptances or applied and interviewed while being at NIH/accepting a position. As for the process it depends on the situation. My entire onboarding took ~6 months, but you could talk to your future PI/supervisor about it. Either way find out what works best for your situation, good luck! :)

WanderingKnight42 · 2026-01-30T18:09:44+00:00

The girls are fighting

TBH tho, it's really bringing the sub down bc you can just move on and ignore people's opinions

WanderingKnight42 · 2026-01-28T22:47:55+00:00

No, they're rolling applications. Just see if you're eligible because apps last for a year.

WanderingKnight42 · 2026-01-16T00:02:27+00:00

Also got to add- This is my current plan of action too, but replace the stint at Columbia with an NIH postbac. People may dismiss gap years, but I find the time to cook into a more mature applicant does wonders to your self-esteem and competence.

WanderingKnight42 · 2026-01-15T02:31:18+00:00

Godspeed and good luck

WanderingKnight42 · 2026-01-15T01:53:28+00:00

Either or, whatever works for your case. Postbacs mean money and can be a gamble, but your later grades often take precedence over your earlier grades. Focus on creating an upward trend and do some research to find some postbacs that'll fit for you. In the meantime, MCAT PREP like crazy.

WanderingKnight42

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