Research Summer Before Medical School

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An applicant at an interview asked me what programs are available for students the summer before they start school - I told them to take the summer off and enjoy but that I would ask SDN.

What would you have done the summer of your first year, if anything... some research with a faculty member maybe I thought first off, at the school you have decided to attend? It couldn't be anything very clinical though... maybe basic research? Start volunteering with a local group the school has an outreach interest in...

 

[schizosquirrel]

Personally, I'd travel a bunch, hang out with friends, and enjoy life.

My school has an early-enrollment program where they set-you up with a research mentor and you take a few basic classes to prepare you for the real start of medical school. It's sort of targeted at URMs, but anyone can join. The nice thing is it's free with a stipend, so you get some research experience + get paid $$$ to start early.

 

[yehhhboiii]

do nothing

 

[mcloaf]

I know some people who started research here before school started. I took a backpacking vacation and think those people made a huge mistake.

 

[starstarie]

I think it kinda depends on the situation too. For example, I would have loved to do that program to start classes early and do research. I, however different from most other people in my class, took 4 years prior to med school to travel and have fun. I didn't really need that extra summer. So if someone ia really excited ab it, doing research in the summer before is a good option. Maybe that way instead of doing it bt ms1 and ms2, they can take that time to travel and have fun!

 

[evilbooyaa]

As long as they're not pre-reading, it's all good.

Doing research with a chance for a poster/publication is never a bad idea.