A semester to do whatever I want... suggestions?

[member232]

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Hey all,

I've completed my MCAT (waiting for results) and will be graduating this December. That leaves one whole semester (spring) to do whatever I want. What's the best thing I can do to boost my resume for this time? I'm thinking internships, research, etc, but would love any input on any particularly great experiences you guys have done or heard of. Also, I've been surfing the net for some internships and research but most programs are for the summer only... any suggestions on where I can look to find good opportunities? I basically want to make those months the most fruitful I can...

(If it helps, I'll be in the Bay Area/California for this time)

Thanks in advance!

 

[Jojokarade]

I can't give you any specifics, but my suggestion would be to shadow a lot. Either find one doctor in the area you like most or many doctors in other areas to try out. That way you can better talk to admission committees about why you are interested in a specific area.

 

[ShenanigansMD]

Dude, go abroad. The US and its doctor shadowing will still be here when you get back.

 

[DAPI]

So you will have a 1.5 year gap before starting med school or are you applying this cycle?

Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile.

 

[member232]

I've shadowed and I'll be volunteering in an ER department this semester/research, but that's all my experiences so far... Shadowing gets a bit mundane and routine after the first couple of days....

Shenanigans, what were you thinking in terms of going abroad? There's a lot of programs, but do you have recommendations for specific medical experiences?

 

[Croc]

Perfect time to satisfy any incompleted graduation requirements. Volunteering and research will never hurt either!

 

[chillaxbro]

-snip-

 

[Bangersandmash]

Go breed horses in Iceland. It would look impressive.

 

[moneytree]

Go breed horses in Iceland. It would look impressive.

Sure, if you want to go Carib. Real gunners breed:

 

[Juxxtaposition]

Sure, if you want to go Carib. Real gunners breed:

 

[member232]

If I could breed unicorns, I'd give up med school altogether hahaha

So nobody can think of any awesome abroad programs? Most of what I'm finding is more social work and less medicine based... I've done a humanitarian program before and it was awesome, but I really want some hands on clinical experience before med school....

 

[Praefectus]

If I could breed unicorns, I'd give up med school altogether hahaha

So nobody can think of any awesome abroad programs? Most of what I'm finding is more social work and less medicine based... I've done a humanitarian program before and it was awesome, but I really want some hands on clinical experience before med school....

There are a lot of medical study abroad trips to Central/South America. If you can find one, go for it. Personally, I'd recommend a trip to Australia and New Zealand if you're into nature or wildlife. There's another world down there, and it isn't exploring itself!

 

[UCFKnight]

If I could breed unicorns, I'd give up med school altogether hahaha

So nobody can think of any awesome abroad programs? Most of what I'm finding is more social work and less medicine based... I've done a humanitarian program before and it was awesome, but I really want some hands on clinical experience before med school....

It's pretty expensive to get a solid medical experience abroad in, but if you aren't worried about money then I suggest looking into African Impact or something like that. The bigger companies seem to have better affiliations with health professionals in underserved countries. Just a thought.