Do Research Summer before medical school?

[Status Sciaticus]

---

Members don't see this ad.

So SDN,

I have been accepted to a medical school and I was wondering if its a good idea to do some research during the summer. Its 9-10 weeks out of the summer with a $3,000-3,500 stipend.

Now most people say to enjoy your summer off because its the last two months of freedom.
Here is my situation : I am living in a gap year and have been just relaxing, meeting friends, & taking trips since June 2013.

So technically I am in an 8 month summer vacation.. Do I need the remaining 2-3 months of doing the same thing or is it better to have some productive research done ?

 

[Doctor Strange]

$$$

 

[Ismet]

Personally I'd go for the research, especially since you've already been relaxing for the year. Also usually research gigs like this are pretty low stress (aka work 9-5 and enjoy your evenings and weekends I'm assuming). Plus money. Do it.

 

[Status Sciaticus]

Thanks.
I've already planned skiing in Colorado, taking a two week trip to Japan, and climbing the Himalayas; so I didnt see the point in dragging it out.

This leads to my second question: basic or clinical? I assume the answer to be whichever one leads to a publication with a possible authorship?

 

[karayaa]

Congrats on your acceptance! Any suggestions on where to look for research internships that take graduated pre-meds, for when I'm (hopefully) in your shoes?

 

[Status Sciaticus]

Congrats on your acceptance! Any suggestions on where to look for research internships that take graduated pre-meds, for when I'm (hopefully) in your shoes?

I am going through my school's research program. I believe most medical schools take MS0s as long as you are accepted there or possibly at another medical school.

 

[karayaa]

thanks, makes sense!

 

[The Buff OP]

Thanks.
I've already planned skiing in Colorado, taking a two week trip to Japan, and climbing the Himalayas; so I didnt see the point in dragging it out.

This leads to my second question: basic or clinical? I assume the answer to be whichever one leads to a publication with a possible authorship?

I'm mirin, bro.

 

[histidine]

I'd go clinical if you are limited to 10 weeks. If you work in basic science, you might get authorship, but it won't be first or second author and the work may not be published for several years. With clinical, you might be able to get first or second author, but there is at least a high likelihood that you could get mid author, and it is almost guaranteed that you could get a nice poster presentation out of it.

 

[NickNaylor]

Hellllll no. Unless you don't have any friends and seriously cannot come up with anything else you'd rather do with that time, take advantage of that last summer. It will likely be the last long stretch of stress-free time you have for a few years. There's always more time to do research. There's not always more time to relax and enjoy yourself.

 

[histidine]

Hellllll no. Unless you don't have any friends and seriously cannot come up with anything else you'd rather do with that time, take advantage of that last summer. It will likely be the last long stretch of stress-free time you have for a few years. There's always more time to do research. There's not always more time to relax and enjoy yourself.

He's already had 8 months of vacation during his gap year haha. If I were him, I'd definitely start up research. It could give him a leg up in experience + a letter of rec if he wants to go somewhere prestigious and competitive for the MS1 summer.

 

[NickNaylor]

He's already had 8 months of vacation during his gap year haha. If I were him, I'd definitely start up research. It could give him a leg up in experience + a letter of rec if he wants to go somewhere prestigious and competitive for the MS1 summer.

Ah, I missed that - guess I should read OPs more closely. I still say do something else unless there are no other ways you can use that time productively. The likelihood you generate something useful in a summer of research beyond participating in the research process is low unless you specifically hunt down a lab that publishes prolifically and has projects you can immediately jump into. If you can get something worth listing on a CV - be it an abstract, poster presentation, or maybe a pub - then definitely do it. If that doesn't seem feasible, save yourself the stress and continue your journey on cruise control until orientation begins.

 

[Espadaleader]

Money may be an issue for some. My

 

[Espadaleader]

I for one will be doing research because I cannot afford to move to medical school. That's a lot of money that people don't think about. You also need to have first months rent if you're not doing campus housing.

 

[kyamh]

I for one will be doing research because I cannot afford to move to medical school. That's a lot of money that people don't think about. You also need to have first months rent if you're not doing campus housing.

Yeah, I faced that after college 😕 The nice thing about the whole "first, last, deposit" rent system is that, once you are in it, it's pretty easy to move again. So when I move to medical school, I will have my last month's rent already paid and I'll get my deposit back...so I will have 2 "extra" months of current rent 🙂

 

[Espadaleader]

Some schools also require you to have a car... Like they make you sign a contract when you get accepted.

 

[Espadaleader]

Hey, I forgot about that! I'm in my first rental now. Thanks for reminding me lol.

 

[histidine]

You might be able to get first or second author, but there is at least a high likelihood that you could get mid author, and it is almost guaranteed that you could get a nice poster presentation out of it.

What's up with all these bots copying my posts. I've got a herd of them following me.

 

[nemo123]

Some schools also require you to have a car... Like they make you sign a contract when you get accepted.

Really?!?! Which ones?

 

[GoPelicans]

Really?!?! Which ones?

One of my work colleagues matriculated to UMass last year and he said buying a car is required, and that the cost of the care is taken into consideration for the financial aid award lol.

 

[QuantumJ]

I would absolutely do research (and I would lean towards clinical for a better chance of publication). I wasn't aware some tx schools had summer before research so I'm going to have to look into this myself.

 

[Espadaleader]

Rochester is one. You have to have it when you start. Others mandate it when you start clerkship year

 

[nemo123]

Rochester is one. You have to have it when you start. Others mandate it when you start clerkship year

Really? Interesting they didn't mention that on interview day...

 

[snowys435]

Really? Interesting they didn't mention that on interview day...

are there any paid reserach opportunities that you can apply to if you're going to be attending med school next fall? I'm trying to find some but haven't come across anything. does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[nemo123]

are there any paid reserach opportunities that you can apply to if you're going to be attending med school next fall? I'm trying to find some but haven't come across anything. does anyone have any suggestions?

There are summer research programs that will accept post-grad college students.

 

[Status Sciaticus]

Ah, I missed that - guess I should read OPs more closely. I still say do something else unless there are no other ways you can use that time productively. The likelihood you generate something useful in a summer of research beyond participating in the research process is low unless you specifically hunt down a lab that publishes prolifically and has projects you can immediately jump into. If you can get something worth listing on a CV - be it an abstract, poster presentation, or maybe a pub - then definitely do it. If that doesn't seem feasible, save yourself the stress and continue your journey on cruise control until orientation begins.

The paper that every student in the summer research writes "would be acceptable for submission as an abstract to the annual UT Southwestern Medical Student Research Forum. Abstracts submitted to the research forum are published and can be listed on your curriculum vitae."

I assume this makes it a good idea? Or should I make my 8 month summer into an 11 month one?

 

[snowys435]

There are summer research programs that will accept post-grad college students.

do you happen to know any or could you list a few? I've done an extensive amount of googling but really haven't come across anything

 

[nemo123]

do you happen to know any or could you list a few? I've done an extensive amount of googling but really haven't come across anything

Yeah there are few that accept post grads... One of my friends did one last summer. Forgot the name of it though

 

[nemo123]

do you happen to know any or could you list a few? I've done an extensive amount of googling but really haven't come across anything

Ok I asked my friend and she said it was the NCTR summer program.

 

[Status Sciaticus]

I think the NIH IRTA program will also accept post-grads.

 

[NickNaylor]

The paper that every student in the summer research writes "would be acceptable for submission as an abstract to the annual UT Southwestern Medical Student Research Forum. Abstracts submitted to the research forum are published and can be listed on your curriculum vitae."

I assume this makes it a good idea? Or should I make my 8 month summer into an 11 month one?

Ah, I didn't realize this was part of a formal research program. Are you interested in doing research long-term? If so, this would be good for several reasons: you get some research experience, you get something to put on your CV, you get some $$$, and you can start building a relationship with a research mentor that you might want to continue working with through med school.

I don't think an abstract/poster presentation from an organized research program is as impressive as, say, an abstract/poster at a national conference or similar event. That said, it's still something you can put on your CV. Whether that's worth forgoing a few more months of break or not is up to you.

 

[histidine]

I think the NIH IRTA program will also accept post-grads.

Yeah, but I believe you have to sign up for a 1 year term. I don't think summer internships are available for post-grads, just high school students, undergrads, and med school students.

 

[histidine]

The paper that every student in the summer research writes "would be acceptable for submission as an abstract to the annual UT Southwestern Medical Student Research Forum. Abstracts submitted to the research forum are published and can be listed on your curriculum vitae."

I assume this makes it a good idea? Or should I make my 8 month summer into an 11 month one?

Also, if you are gunning for AOA at UTSW, you can use that research experience in your CV. All other research/activities before med school won't count.

 

[Status Sciaticus]

Ah, I didn't realize this was part of a formal research program. Are you interested in doing research long-term? If so, this would be good for several reasons: you get some research experience, you get something to put on your CV, you get some $$$, and you can start building a relationship with a research mentor that you might want to continue working with through med school.

I don't think an abstract/poster presentation from an organized research program is as impressive as, say, an abstract/poster at a national conference or similar event. That said, it's still something you can put on your CV. Whether that's worth forgoing a few more months of break or not is up to you.

Long term as in throughout medical school? Yes, in the sense that getting into a competitive specialty "requires" it.
Will I carry it out after I have established myself as a physician? Probably, although it will be second to me being a clinician.

I'm not looking to get published in Science or Nature from a 10 week research program, but the networking gained therein might help me land a research position on a study that might be published in those journals.

Also, if you are gunning for AOA at UTSW, you can use that research experience in your CV. All other research/activities before med school won't count.

I dont think gunning is the word I would use. Its just a matter of how much work/time you're willing to put in to get there. Although I will say, the one downside of attending a great school such as UTSW is that it is much harder to stand out.