Ideal way for a pre-med to spend summer (after freshman undergrad year)?

[Gauss44]

I know it's not the most critical summer and doing nothing probably wouldn't ruin an application. However, I am wondering, what is your opinion of the BEST WAY for a premed to spend the summer between freshman and sophomore year in college?

My thoughts are to do a LITTLE of each of these things (maybe part time for part of the summer):
-Doing research
-Volunteering and/or shadowing
-Practicing a hobby
-Preparing for organic chemistry or taking a summer class
-Keeping freshman MCAT topics sharp
-Part time job
-Relaxing

What do you think?

(FYI - I searched this topic and only found thread asking what other people did, but nothing asking for the IDEAL way to spend a freshman summer. I am a tutor and want to provide excellent guidance. Thank you.)

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[raiderette]

I had to work but I managed to get in volunteering as well. I would not start reviewing any material for the MCAT yet. Do whatever you can to make yourself a happy interesting person.

 

[Patros]

First question to ask, how do you see yourself? There are a few "molds" that premeds fall into. The outreach-and-community-service type, the academics-and-research type, the well-traveled global-health enthusiast, etc etc. Prioritize what interests you most; so if research is your thing, you should get started on that now, and the rest can wait. Conversely if volunteering is your thing, do that now and get research experience later.

Just some comments:
-Research as just as freshman can be tough to get. Do NOT do research for "part of the summer." It has to be a long-term enterprise, or else nobody will take it seriously. So if you find a lab that is interesting and one that you can stick with till graduation, then do it. Otherwise wait till sophomore year.
-Volunteering/shadowing - excellent choices for your first summer, it is what I did.
-Hobby - You should always have a hobby, period. Don't be a robot.
- Organic chem prep - Don't waste your time.
- MCAT review - Don't waste your time, wait till you finish most of the courses
- Part-time job - A good choice as well, may be tough to get if employers know you're leaving.
-Relaxing - Being relaxed is good, but don't waste this summer. You'll regret it if you just sit around.

 

[Pholaffle]

I took an EMT course over the summer along side volunteering. Most of my friends had found jobs and I figured things would get really dull if I didn't find a way to keep myself occupied. It was also a good way to get a leg up in a few different ways: getting training for a lifestyle in clinical engagements, getting a foot in with some ER personnel for later shadowing experiences... etc

 

[ace12345]

First question to ask, how do you see yourself? There are a few "molds" that premeds fall into. The outreach-and-community-service type, the academics-and-research type, the well-traveled global-health enthusiast, etc etc. Prioritize what interests you most; so if research is your thing, you should get started on that now, and the rest can wait. Conversely if volunteering is your thing, do that now and get research experience later.

Just some comments:
-Research as just as freshman can be tough to get. Do NOT do research for "part of the summer." It has to be a long-term enterprise, or else nobody will take it seriously. So if you find a lab that is interesting and one that you can stick with till graduation, then do it. Otherwise wait till sophomore year.
-Volunteering/shadowing - excellent choices for your first summer, it is what I did.
-Hobby - You should always have a hobby, period. Don't be a robot.
- Organic chem prep - Don't waste your time.
- MCAT review - Don't waste your time, wait till you finish most of the courses
- Part-time job - A good choice as well, may be tough to get if employers know you're leaving.
-Relaxing - Being relaxed is good, but don't waste this summer. You'll regret it if you just sit around.

I second this, particularly the part about volunteering. Get into a hospital, clinic, nursing home, etc. to show some early commitment to clinical volunteering/experience a bit more of what medicine is like. I also did this the summer after freshman year, and it really sealed my desire to become a physician.

 

[Gauss44]

I took an EMT course over the summer along side volunteering. Most of my friends had found jobs and I figured things would get really dull if I didn't find a way to keep myself occupied. It was also a good way to get a leg up in a few different ways: getting training for a lifestyle in clinical engagements, getting a foot in with some ER personnel for later shadowing experiences... etc

Did you work as an EMT while in college or over breaks? How was that? Do you recommend it?

 

[Lamel]

Relax, hang out with friends, read some novels, watch some TV, do some volunteering, and enjoy yourself.

 

[sunflower18]

I worked fulltime in a research lab the summer after my freshman year, and volunteered in a hospital on the weekends. I didn't think I would like research, but I'm so glad I got involved with it that summer because I loved it and have done a bunch more research since!

 

[IL Pre Med]

Go see your friends and talk to lots of dirty girls

Oh to be young again...

 

[Pholaffle]

Did you work as an EMT while in college or over breaks? How was that? Do you recommend it?

I'm only a rising junior and one of my PI's suggested I focus on my GPA over the past semester because the student run service is almost a full time commitment. Now that I know my limits and what kind of effort I need to put into work to succeed, I'm finding I have more time to commit to more low-key volunteer services in neighboring towns, so it's really a matter of securing a position. Even though i've been out of the field for nearly a year, it's still something I look forward to getting involved in.