COVID-19 derailed summer plans, any advice?

[premedwhoops]

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Hi all! So I'm currently a sophomore in college and in light of the COVID-19 crisis, my summer plans have been derailed, I was accepted to a competitive summer research program where I was looking to conduct research through summer and into junior year, hopefully earning a publication. I had also planned on shadowing doctors and volunteering at a hospital, but now all of these plans are canceled due to safety concerns and I'm left with nothing to do. I have a 3.8 gpa from a top five undergrad, have been involved in research since freshman year (abstract publication), multiple leadership positions, and about 100 non-clinical volunteer hours, 50 clinical volunteer hours. But I have no shadowing experience or significant research achievements. I didn't plan on originally taking a gap year, but due to my lack of experiences should I? Or will medical schools adjust their expectations for applicants in the coming year?

Thanks guys!


P.S. I'm struggling to find any other opportunities this summer, If anyone has any volunteer/research suggestions in the Philadelphia area that would be much appreciated

 

[M&L]

Hi all! So I'm currently a sophomore in college and in light of the COVID-19 crisis, my summer plans have been derailed, I was accepted to a competitive summer research program where I was looking to conduct research through summer and into junior year, hopefully earning a publication. I had also planned on shadowing doctors and volunteering at a hospital, but now all of these plans are canceled due to safety concerns and I'm left with nothing to do. I have a 3.8 gpa from a top five undergrad, have been involved in research since freshman year (abstract publication), multiple leadership positions, and about 100 non-clinical volunteer hours, 50 clinical volunteer hours. But I have no shadowing experience or significant research achievements. I didn't plan on originally taking a gap year, but due to my lack of experiences should I? Or will medical schools adjust their expectations for applicants in the coming year?

Thanks guys!


P.S. I'm struggling to find any other opportunities this summer, If anyone has any volunteer/research suggestions in the Philadelphia area that would be much appreciated

wait, so you are a sophomore? so you have two more years on college? so you have at least till next May to apply without gap year. I would strategize your schedule for next year that would help you fit in as much as possible. I think schools will be more understanding next year because of COVID. If you are planning to go to a primary care school, I think no research might be ok. If you want to go to a research heavy school, and/or if you are planning to focus on research as your primary activity, then you should probably consider a gap year. That being said, do not forget, that there are some research projects that could be done online, - so I would talk to an academic advisor and try to find a research project that you can do from home. It is not perfect, but it is something, and it does show initiative.

 

[Goro]

Hi all! So I'm currently a sophomore in college and in light of the COVID-19 crisis, my summer plans have been derailed, I was accepted to a competitive summer research program where I was looking to conduct research through summer and into junior year, hopefully earning a publication. I had also planned on shadowing doctors and volunteering at a hospital, but now all of these plans are canceled due to safety concerns and I'm left with nothing to do. I have a 3.8 gpa from a top five undergrad, have been involved in research since freshman year (abstract publication), multiple leadership positions, and about 100 non-clinical volunteer hours, 50 clinical volunteer hours. But I have no shadowing experience or significant research achievements. I didn't plan on originally taking a gap year, but due to my lack of experiences should I? Or will medical schools adjust their expectations for applicants in the coming year?

Thanks guys!


P.S. I'm struggling to find any other opportunities this summer, If anyone has any volunteer/research suggestions in the Philadelphia area that would be much appreciated

Med schools will not cut you slack on your Ecs.

Suggest Meals on Wheels,. food banks, or election service (latter two normally done by retirees). Also check with your local houses of worship for service ideas.

 

[jhmmd]

Hi all! So I'm currently a sophomore in college and in light of the COVID-19 crisis, my summer plans have been derailed, I was accepted to a competitive summer research program where I was looking to conduct research through summer and into junior year, hopefully earning a publication. I had also planned on shadowing doctors and volunteering at a hospital, but now all of these plans are canceled due to safety concerns and I'm left with nothing to do. I have a 3.8 gpa from a top five undergrad, have been involved in research since freshman year (abstract publication), multiple leadership positions, and about 100 non-clinical volunteer hours, 50 clinical volunteer hours. But I have no shadowing experience or significant research achievements. I didn't plan on originally taking a gap year, but due to my lack of experiences should I? Or will medical schools adjust their expectations for applicants in the coming year?

Thanks guys!


P.S. I'm struggling to find any other opportunities this summer, If anyone has any volunteer/research suggestions in the Philadelphia area that would be much appreciated

A gap year might be a blessing in disguise. Try to make the most of it, and remember that you're not alone.

 

[EdgeTrimmer]

You have one academic year and part of next summer to fill the gaps.

 

[premedwhoops]

wait, so you are a sophomore? so you have two more years on college? so you have at least till next May to apply without gap year. I would strategize your schedule for next year that would help you fit in as much as possible. I think schools will be more understanding next year because of COVID. If you are planning to go to a primary care school, I think no research might be ok. If you want to go to a research heavy school, and/or if you are planning to focus on research as your primary activity, then you should probably consider a gap year. That being said, do not forget, that there are some research projects that could be done online, - so I would talk to an academic advisor and try to find a research project that you can do from home. It is not perfect, but it is something, and it does show initiative.

thank you for the advice! also thanks @Goro @jhkmd @srk2021, I managed to find a remote research assistant position via my school's research newsletter, and have found two remote tutoring/community service jobs, so hopefully these make up in part for the loss in my other plans, thanks again )