Academic Internship at The Washington Center - positive, negative or neutral?

[Schadret]

My daughter's university has an internship program with the Washington Center in DC where you go there for a semester, do an internship and a class, and get 12 credits (usually replacing 3 electives). A partial list of health-related organizations where the internships are:

Arthritis Foundation, Grand Oaks at Sibley Memorial Hospital, Healthsperien, Medicoverage, National Association of Health, National Cancer Registrars Association (and more)

Since this fill a 40 hour week, it would probably be all she does (halting her normal volunteer activities for that semester).

Just wondering in terms of applying to med school down the road if this would this be helpful, harmful, or neutral? In an internship like this considered volunteering (it's unpaid)?

I don't want to sway her one way or the other - I want her to do what she wants to do.. I just like to lay out all the facts, and pros and cons so she has as much information as possible, then she decides whatever she wants to do.

Thanks!

(I hope it's OK to post questions as a parent, I'm letting her focus on getting acclimated to college before sending her all the resources I've accumulated (such as this site) that she should start doing herself soon).

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[Goro]

This is fine!!!

 

[DrSpine]

I just randomly saw this. I did an Internship with the US Government back in 2007 (I feel old) with the Washington Center. First off, let me tell you, till this day I state that I learned more in 3 months that Summer than I did in 4 years of college. The knowledge you learn and obtain is invaluable. I absolutely loved my experience. Second, when I was applying to medical school shortly after that, I was asked about it in every interview. It was a great conversation starter and they took notice of me quick with that.

I'm now an attending physician who completed a Residency and Fellowship. I look back fondly at my short time with TWC in DC. So it's an astounding yes from me.