advice from the ones who have been through it

[stretch210]

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I am about to finish first year and am deciding between a couple choices I have for the summer. First are my goals for the summer and then are my choices...and hopefully you guys have some advice...Just to throw it out there I have considered PM&R as a possible future residency, but am far from being stuck to that.

Goals:
1. Do something that helps my resume for residency
2. Relax
3. do a little board study

Choices: none will be paid
a. work with a neurorehab doc who says he will let me participate with whatever he does

b. Do some radiological/Parkinson's research (separate projects obviously)

c. volunteer at some kids camps (kids asthma camp and camp for parapalegics)

I would rather not take up my whole summer in order to accomplish goal number 2, so I will probably only do any of these for a month or a month and a half, therefore I most likely will not be published when doing the research (does this make a huge difference)?

Thanks ahead of time for the feedback!!!

 

[stretch210]

really!?! No thoughts at all?

I am about to finish first year and am deciding between a couple choices I have for the summer. First are my goals for the summer and then are my choices...and hopefully you guys have some advice...Just to throw it out there I have considered PM&R as a possible future residency, but am far from being stuck to that.

Goals:
1. Do something that helps my resume for residency
2. Relax
3. do a little board study

Choices: none will be paid
a. work with a neurorehab doc who says he will let me participate with whatever he does

b. Do some radiological/Parkinson's research (separate projects obviously)

c. volunteer at some kids camps (kids asthma camp and camp for parapalegics)

I would rather not take up my whole summer in order to accomplish goal number 2, so I will probably only do any of these for a month or a month and a half, therefore I most likely will not be published when doing the research (does this make a huge difference)?

Thanks ahead of time for the feedback!!!

 

[CNphair]

I am about to finish first year and am deciding between a couple choices I have for the summer. First are my goals for the summer and then are my choices...and hopefully you guys have some advice...Just to throw it out there I have considered PM&R as a possible future residency, but am far from being stuck to that.

Goals:
1. Do something that helps my resume for residency
2. Relax
3. do a little board study

Choices: none will be paid
a. work with a neurorehab doc who says he will let me participate with whatever he does

b. Do some radiological/Parkinson's research (separate projects obviously)

c. volunteer at some kids camps (kids asthma camp and camp for parapalegics)

I would rather not take up my whole summer in order to accomplish goal number 2, so I will probably only do any of these for a month or a month and a half, therefore I most likely will not be published when doing the research (does this make a huge difference)?

Thanks ahead of time for the feedback!!!

Well first off, you don't really get much credit from program directors unless research is published. And if you are only going to work for one month, you will most likely not be able to produce a publication.

I don't think PM&R will require that you have significant research. You might want to ask the question on that forum. But my advice would be to do the kids camp. It will be fun, not stressful, and will look good on the resume. If you really want research, I am afraid you will have to commit more time...

And as a side note, studying for boards over the summer is useless. I tried to do it, and it was a waste of time. 90% of Step one is second year material anyway. Relax for now and just plan to integrate Step 1 material into your 2nd year studies from day one. Enjoy the summer without Biochem.

 

[cdql]

1. There is little you can do to improve your resume over the course of one summer. That being said, working is better than just sitting around so any of the projects you mentioned will be good. I would pick the one that you are most interested in so that if brought up in an interview, you can speak intelligently about it! (This is where most summer projects come into play: during the interview process)

2. GREAT IDEA! This is truly your last summer ever. I'm not suggesting you wake up at 2 every day and then flip on SportsCenter but vacationing would be a good idea. Or just trying something that you would otherwise never have the chance to do. Learn how to play golf? Backpack across some weird country? Learn a language? Do something that will be unique! (Again, this may actually be more beneficial than #1 because doing something interesting during this summer may actually net more questions in an interview than some mundane science project)

3. Hahahaha...in theory, it's a good idea to brush up on what you've learned thus far. But you'll probably forget everything you've reviewed over the summer within one-two months of 2nd year anyway. You should save the energy and remember to apply that energy towards board studying right after 2nd year ends!

 

[Embryo2006]

I don't think you can do wrong with any of your choices. The kids camp sounds like fun and still offers you a little something on paper. Research experience is a great thing to have even if you don't publish. Every academic program that I interviewed at (ob/gyn) asked me about the research in my application. But what did I do with my summer, you ask? I travelled Europe. No regrets here! You can always get involved with volunteer/research activities during your second year....

 

[signomi]

One more humble opinion: I advise avoiding "blank" periods on your CV - by this I mean blocks of time that are not accounted for. I was asked in interviews what I did during the summer between year 1 and 2. I strongly recommend getting involved in something that produces tangible results. If you would do research, is there some small project you could do? Some chart review? Can you write a short paper for the AOA research forum at your school? Can you work with a mentor on a case study to submit for publication? Can you enroll in an intensive language study program - like spanish or sign language? Just some suggestions!

Probably not a popular opinion, but I wouldn't go with the camp thing, unless you can do something else at the same time (see above). Those kinds of things look good on your resume to get into med school. Once you are in, you need to show interest in furthering your medical development in a concrete way.

 

[Dr. Will]

No one will fault you for taking it easy the summer between 1st and 2nd year. It's the last time you will have a chunk of time like that off until 4th year. Trust me, by the end of 3rd year, you'll wish for time off. I've only had 2 weeks off during Christmas this year. Enjoy yourself, travel, read some good books, spend time with your family and loved ones.

Gotta say that I disagree with the "blank" time on your CV statement for those few months. You will have plenty of opportunities to bulk up your CV during your 2nd year anyways. There is just so much more to get involved with. Many people balance activities and studying during 2nd year and manage to do well. If you're motivated, you'll make it happen.

 

[fomites]

relax, kick it, be normal. enjoy your precious free time because once you start 2nd yr, it's pretty much non-stop working until 4th yr electives. you don't need to pad your cv with lame stuff.

studying right now for the boards is low low low yield.

relaxing, re-energizing, sleeping in, regaining sanity....priceless! 😀

 

[undecided3yr]

Do research!!! I know PM&R is not competitive, but first of all you may change your mind on specialty of choice to something like Optho and besides a better CV wont hurt you even if you dont change your mind.

You should make an effort to improve your CV if possible to separate yourself from others.

Because PMR is noncompetitive, you could also blow off studying too hard for step 1 and just pass the test, but I wouldnt recommend it either.