How beneficial are summer internships/programs

[ihoop24]

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What's good SDN.

Just a quick question. What is the consensus on summer internships/programs? My summers from now up until when I apply will be pretty busy with other things, and I feel like everyone is doing some kind of program during their summers. How are these looked at? Are they beneficial or just an extra thing that doesn't hold much weight? I understand that they may be beneficial in ways that have little to do with the application (connections, etc) but I am asking in terms of the application itself and how adcoms view them.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Cynaic]

What other things will you be busy with?

 

[ihoop24]

What other things will you be busy with?

this upcoming summer i'm taking classes. And the summer after that ill be studying for the MCAT.

 

[931kra]

I did research for one summer at my home institution with a random grant I won, and one summer at another institution as part of an established summer research program.

In my interviews thus far (MD and MD/PhD), my summer research experience in the established program has come up at least once in conversation (by myself or by the interviewer). I think applying for, getting accepted into, and participating in these kinds of programs can be a big boost in competitiveness, and it gives you something unique to talk about. Not to mention, there were kids in my cohort who were studying for the MCAT while in the program, so multitasking is doable (though I wouldn't recommend it)!

 

[ihoop24]

bump

 

[Cynaic]

Summer internships is a very broad phrase. Many things that fall under that category, especially research or service based program, would be very beneficial for you and your application. That being said, you getting good grades and a high MCAT is the best thing for your application. If you plan to take classes and study seriously for the MCAT over the next two summers then I would advise against also trying to simultaneously do a formal summer program. If I were you, I would try to find some research or volunteering you can continue while in class for ~10 hours or less a week.