What do to in the summer?

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Hello All,
I am currently half way through my junior year and plan to apply in August at the beginning of the next cycle. I am curious as to what you people think about my options for this summer before I submit my applications in. I have applied to several internships to do professional, biomedical research. I also have contemplated applying to the summer pre-health internships put on by the three schools I know of that do them. I am scheduled to sit for the MCAT on May 19th back in my home state so there is that to consider. I am curious as to what the ADCOMs at the Podiatry schools would rather see. Would they prefer to see dedication to podiatry, or branching out to do what will most likely be cell biology research? What do you all think? Unfortunately I will most likely not be able to do both because of how late in May the research internships start. Also, I have two full week’s worth of shadowing and will probably go back to see her to get a letter in the summer and shadow some more as well (she has already agreed to write one, I didn’t have to ask). Thanks for your input!

If you did decently well in college (>3.2GPA), do decently well on your MCATs (>22), and spent the time shadowing a podiatrist for that LoR you need, spend some time enjoying yourself.

When I was going through, the topic of conversation that the AdComs I met were most interested in was the band I had throughout college, the music I liked to play, and what I did when I didn't have my nose in the books.

Being well rounded will serve you very well in your future, if you can maintain your academic chops throughout Podiatry School and Residency. Life is about balance, and the sooner you can achieve that, the easier it will be down the road when you have a million other things pulling at you (work, business, debts to pay, family and everything that goes with them...etc).

Best of luck to you!

I would think speaking directly to admissions would be your best bet. I agree with what Kidsfeet has said, but if you really want to do either the research or internship, then you should! I know some of the podiatry schools have internships that are not only in the summer (Ohio has one going on now, for instance), so that could be an option as well. I would think doing the research (since you actually see doing that in your career) would be a fabulous opportunity and my personal opinion is that pod schools really like those interested in research since the field needs it. Then, if you wanted, do a pod internship sometime in your senior year.

But, do yourself a favor and go straight to the source to see what they have to say. It may vary from school to school and then you will have to make that decision.

Good Luck!

If you're interested in research, I highly recommend it. I have a lot of research experience and my interviews were spent basically talking about everything I had published and done. I can tell you firsthand that they definitely like to see research in your background, not that it will hurt you if you don't.

If u do research to buff ur resume u better convince urself that u will truly love the learning experience cus otherwise if ur gonna be bored and do something to pad ur app its not gonna be useful for u. I would go to another country and try to learn another language. Go take a vacation in central america and learn Spanish. U wont regret it

Originally Posted by Ron05hc

If you're interested in research, I highly recommend it. I have a lot of research experience and my interviews were spent basically talking about everything I had published and done. I can tell you firsthand that they definitely like to see research in your background, not that it will hurt you if you don't.

^Yep.

Only do the shadowing if you're still not 100% convinced pod is right for you.

I am curious as to what the ADCOMs at the Podiatry schools would rather see. Would they prefer to see dedication to podiatry, or branching out to do what will most likely be cell biology research? What do you all think? Unfortunately I will most likely not be able to do both because of how late in May the research internships start. Also, I have two full week’s worth of shadowing and will probably go back to see her to get a letter in the summer and shadow some more as well (she has already agreed to write one, I didn’t have to ask). Thanks for your input!

No pod school will accept/reject you based on cell bio research, or research internships...If you have the grades/mcat/ good letters of rec. and some podiatry experience that is all that is required. If you love research then do it! If you are doing it to try to get into a podiatry school its a complete waste of your time.... Do something fun! Life as you know it will change once in pod school. Learn to sail, take karate, travel, read for fun...(once MCAT is over of course)

It appears as if I will be able to get in at a somewhat prestigious university to do cell bio research this summer. Being honest with my self, I think I only ever thought of it as making me more well rounded as a scientist and that may help with the admission process. As much as I want to simply enjoy my self and the Florida surf, possibly for a while if I end up OOS, I am not so sure my Father will allow it, and if it would also hurt my chances of being accepted into pod school. My GPA is slightly below the GPA average for matriculants (going off of 3.2cGPA and 3.0 sGPA) so there is that to think about.. I am busting my butt for the MCAT though and am progressing as much as I could ever hope for, so I think the score will be satisfactory (getting 10s on ek vrs for ex). The internship seems like it could be fun, and I would be making money; but, I guess the general consensus would be that it will not help me to get into school, as I originally thought it would?

It certainly won't hurt! Do it. You are interested in it, you will get paid and it sounds like a great opportunity. You never know what doors may open down the road from that experience. Go for it.