Summer 2025 Plans

[fishs]

Hi y'all!

The time has already come to plan for summer and I'm not sure what I should do that would help best prepare me for med school applications. I'm currently a junior and will be graduating in 2026. I plan on applying in the 27-28 cycle. As of now, I have about ~115 hrs of research and ~150 hrs of clinical volunteering. I plan on working in a clinical job during my gap year and continuing my nonclinical volunteering (food pantry) which I do 5 hrs a week. Last summer I worked as a camp counselor for kids with special needs and I loved it. This summer I could do that again and get another ~300 hrs in it, or I have an opportunity to work as a research assistant in bio research. The thing is I want to work at the camp again, as I had so much fun last summer, but I'm worried that this would hurt my application and maybe I should diversify my experiences more? I think right now that I want to shoot for more service based schools (but I don't want to box myself in yet I guess) and I will be doing more research than I have been doing previously in my senior year as I work on my thesis. I also know that I'm lacking in teaching/tutoring, so I'm applying for a TA position, and leadership, but I'm not sure what to do about that yet. I'm also going to continue my nonclinical volunteering over summer.

So basically my question is should I work at the camp again, or should I do the research? Or should I focus on something else entirely?
TYIA for the help and sorry for long post lol

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[Mr.Smile12]

How to Spend a Premed Summer - SDN

The Student Doctor Network provides free tools, resources, and advising services to help students become health professionals.

www.studentdoctor.net

Plan to Make the Most of Your Summer—Now - SDN

The Student Doctor Network provides free tools, resources, and advising services to help students become health professionals.

www.studentdoctor.net

Six Ways to Make the Most of Your Summer - SDN

The Student Doctor Network provides free tools, resources, and advising services to help students become health professionals.

www.studentdoctor.net

 

[AJS59]

Hi y'all!

The time has already come to plan for summer and I'm not sure what I should do that would help best prepare me for med school applications. I'm currently a junior and will be graduating in 2026. I plan on applying in the 27-28 cycle. As of now, I have about ~115 hrs of research and ~150 hrs of clinical volunteering. I plan on working in a clinical job during my gap year and continuing my nonclinical volunteering (food pantry) which I do 5 hrs a week. Last summer I worked as a camp counselor for kids with special needs and I loved it. This summer I could do that again and get another ~300 hrs in it, or I have an opportunity to work as a research assistant in bio research. The thing is I want to work at the camp again, as I had so much fun last summer, but I'm worried that this would hurt my application and maybe I should diversify my experiences more? I think right now that I want to shoot for more service based schools (but I don't want to box myself in yet I guess) and I will be doing more research than I have been doing previously in my senior year as I work on my thesis. I also know that I'm lacking in teaching/tutoring, so I'm applying for a TA position, and leadership, but I'm not sure what to do about that yet. I'm also going to continue my nonclinical volunteering over summer.

So basically my question is should I work at the camp again, or should I do the research? Or should I focus on something else entirely?
TYIA for the help and sorry for long post lol

Both are fine choices, imo

 

[fishs]

How to Spend a Premed Summer - SDN

The Student Doctor Network provides free tools, resources, and advising services to help students become health professionals.

www.studentdoctor.net

Plan to Make the Most of Your Summer—Now - SDN

The Student Doctor Network provides free tools, resources, and advising services to help students become health professionals.

www.studentdoctor.net

Six Ways to Make the Most of Your Summer - SDN

The Student Doctor Network provides free tools, resources, and advising services to help students become health professionals.

www.studentdoctor.net

Thank you I will check these out!

 

[AsclepiusAdvisingLLC]

We commend you for your self-reflection. This is the most critical component of a competitive application. If you feel that there are major gaps that you can address this summer, then these should be your priority. Its important to diversify your experiences so that ADCOMs see your efforts and perspective through multiple different commitments. However, you should only commit yourself to experiences that you find inherently valuable and give you joy. Do what you love and remember that ADCOMS are not looking for something in particular, but rather someone in particular.

Medical schools don't expect a cookie cutter checklist, they expect intentional choices. Whatever you choose, make sure you can articulate why it was the right decision and how it prepares you for a career in medicine. Additionally, think about if theres an opportunity to take initiative and pursue a leadership position this summer. This would be a great way to show ADCOMS that you are advancing your role within this summer's experiences.