Research Internship Or Not?

[DingDongD]

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I recently received an unpaid internship at a research institute.I will be entering as a freshmen this fall. It is far from my house and I am not really sure if it will look good in Med School applications. I am not really sure if I want to go to medicine either. So, I am just wondering your opinions if I should do it or not and how much will it be significant on my application

Thanks 🙂

 

[mmmcdowe]

I recently received an unpaid internship at a research institute.I will be entering as a freshmen this fall. It is far from my house and I am not really sure if it will look good in Med School applications. I am not really sure if I want to go to medicine either. So, I am just wondering your opinions if I should do it or not and how much will it be significant on my application

Thanks 🙂

Sounds like you're better off passing on this one. There are plenty of other opportunities in the future.

 

[TexasSurgeon]

I recently received an unpaid internship at a research institute.I will be entering as a freshmen this fall. It is far from my house and I am not really sure if it will look good in Med School applications. I am not really sure if I want to go to medicine either. So, I am just wondering your opinions if I should do it or not and how much will it be significant on my application

Thanks 🙂

I wouldn't get to heavily into something like this just yet. Maybe spend your summer right now raking in those volunteer hours so you can focus on the grades later on.

 

[TriagePreMed]

Are you avoiding it because you want to enjoy the summer? Well, I suppose as an incoming freshman it's not a big deal, but if you're interested in science in general, don't let laziness get in the way.

 

[Thinks]

Do it. You will need research experience to get into med school (or science). And having research internship will make it a lot easier to get meaningful research positions during college. You might be doing grunt work during this summer, but this experience (or name of institute) will help you get decent research positions in future. Besides, if you are not sure what you want to do, why not explore and start with this position!

As the other poster said, don't let a few hours of TV get in the way of learning and developing.

 

[TexasSurgeon]

Do it. You will need research experience to get into med school (or science). And having research internship will make it a lot easier to get meaningful research positions during college. You might be doing grunt work during this summer, but this experience (or name of institute) will help you get decent research positions in future. Besides, if you are not sure what you want to do, why not explore and start with this position!

As the other poster said, don't let a few hours of TV get in the way of learning and developing.

Research experience is not explicitly required for medical school and many applicants who have zero research experience are accepted every year. However, many top schools do require research.

 

[DingDongD]

Thank you all for the advice. I am going to do a few days in the week while still enjoying my summer. 🙂

 

[TexasSurgeon]

Thank you all for the advice. I am going to do a few days in the week while still enjoying my summer. 🙂

🙂
Good luck. It will be an experience for you nonetheless.

 

[TriagePreMed]

Research experience is not explicitly required for medical school and many applicants who have zero research experience are accepted every year. However, many top schools do require research.

Some people get in without a 4.0. Some people get in without volunteering. Some people even get in without a bachelors degree. Does this mean you should not do it? Does this mean that not doing it is seen equivalently positive as doing it?

 

[TexasSurgeon]

Some people get in without a 4.0. Some people get in without volunteering. Some people even get in without a bachelors degree. Does this mean you should not do it? Does this mean that not doing it is seen equivalently positive as doing it?

Volunteering is a different story because medical schools want to see that you have had at least the minimum exposure you can have before you enter your career. I never said he should not do it.

I am simply refuting your statement. You said that it was required, and so I am telling you that it is not required, in the same way that a 4.0 is not required for medical school. However, exposure does help if you keep up your other things. On the list of requirements this really isn't one. That's why I suggested he not do it and spend his time volunteering which is basically expected of all medical schools. However, since s/he chose to do so, I hope s/he has a good experience and gets to do something neat.