Quoted: Summer between M1 and M2 mishap

[Doodledog]

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I had an unfortunate incident occur during my summer between MS1 and MS2 in Med School. I had an incident which caused me to dislocate both my shoulders/fracture the heads of my humorous. Due to the proximity of the time frame of the incident, I'm not ready to divulge/discuss it. Or, basically, the event is too soon for me to openly talk about what happened publicly. I know I'll have to explain it to my administration because of the rehab, but I'd rather not talk about it on here just yet. This wasn't something caused by stupid/irresponsible behavior. But I digress. I had to stay in the hospital for a week for the surgery/recuperation and have basically been crippled this entire summer. I can't do anything due to my injury and have unfortunately been unable to do any work this summer. I know this summer is important to medical students because you're supposed to be doing an internship/gathering some experience to help with your residency application/become a better candidate for residency. I unfortunately couldn't/can't. So I want to know what happens to me from here on out? I'm doing fine in my classes, so that's not an issue. I just need to know what my options are/what I can do? Should I talk to my administration about this? I know that in Medical School applications, you had the option of talking about an extenuating circumstance in your personal statement. Is this basically what I'm going to be doing for residency applications?

Not all schools even have a summer between M1 and M2 so it isn't always expected to have done something. At the time of interview, if it comes up, you can explain that you were recovering from an injury. It won't come up. You have plenty of time, even for a competitive residency to get a bit of research experience, etc.

We'll see if aPD has more to add.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

Nothing really to add. Focus on recovery. Vitally more important will be being able to perform your duties as a medical student.

 

[Leforte]

We we look at candidates for residency positions - what someone does between their M1 and M2 years is really inconsequential to the whole process. Many do nothing. In fact, I traveled in Europe while on a work visa - needless to say, this did not add anything to my application and it made absolutely no difference in getting interviews and really didn't come up at all in the whole process.

What will matter, however, is your M2 year and, in particular, your preparation for Step I. As others have said, the best way you can perform well in your M2 year is to focus on recovery and rehab now. Worry about your health, and the rest will fall into place. Don't worry about the other students and what they are doing. I have seen plenty of students who look great on paper and then fail miserably either on rotations or at the interview.