Summer

[stretch210]

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I was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions on things to do for the summer between MSI and MSII years? I am looking for something that will make me a stronger applicant come residency time...thanks!

 

[cdql]

Research is always a good option!

If you don't have a particular field in mind, even basic science research will look good if you are able to passionately explain why you were interested or even better, if you were able to publish a paper about your work!

I would also recommend a brief vacation as this will probably be your last free summer ever!!

 

[Roadrunner]

Go learn Spanish. You're gonna need it on the wards! Check out programs to Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica or elsewhere and spend a month just being immersed. It will be more fun than doing research or working at Applebees and will give you a definite leg up with a lot of patients.

 

[Daiphon]

research is cool and all, but it can be done concomitantly with m2-m4; don't waste what will (effectively) be your last summer vacation in a lab...

i like the idea about spanish, it's terribly useful and relatively easy to get the basics down... plus summer classes at most colleges are more concentrated, and allow lots of the day to be used for fun. d=)

or... do something fun and wholly non-medical... cultivate a talent for glassblowing, or learn about the intricacies of curling, coach a local kiddo sports team, etc. ...

seriously... being able to have something "eye catching" on your CV will likely allow interviewers to attach a name to a face to a file. plus, having somehting to do outside of medicine is always the best way to stay sane, and PD's like it. Shem wasn't long off when his character "ran for fitness and fished for calm". d=)

just my $0.02 (actual value 1/20th of $0.01)

-t,md

 

[penguins]

Travel, see the world!

 

[Chianti]

After my MS-I year I thought about doing research...but ended up back-packing through Western Europe with 2 classmates for 31 days. It was the best month of my life and an experience I'll never forget. I recommend it to all MS-I's trying to decide what to do over the summer.

 

[Danger Man]

Your summer between M1 and 2 is your last true summer. You can use it to backpack across Europe, go to the beach every day or just relax because after all it is your last summer. All of these options are good ones.

However, you can look at this summer as the last significant chunk of time you have to put another accomplishment on your CV. Research in any field (especially one that you know you are interested in) looks great and will allow you to meet people in your field at your or another institution. I got one of my residency interviews at a great hospital because I had done research there during my M1 summer. Medical school is only four years and, in relation to residency, is not nearly as much work.

Your fourth year can be used to travel.

Just my two cents.

 

[NinerNiner999]

Use it to live - learn a new hobby, try a new sport, travel to places you haven't been. Don't let any free time doing research or other work-related activities over vacation take your humanity away from you - there is plenty of time for the rest of your career to do this. The more interesting you become outside of medicine, the happier you will be within its wards.

 

[stretch210]

Ok, so there are all these differing opinions...which I appreciate, but for those of you that think using the time to develop my CV is the best choice, where do I find information on what and where is available to someone at my level of education?

Use it to live - learn a new hobby, try a new sport, travel to places you haven't been. Don't let any free time doing research or other work-related activities over vacation take your humanity away from you - there is plenty of time for the rest of your career to do this. The more interesting you become outside of medicine, the happier you will be within its wards.

 

[Danger Man]

Ok, so there are all these differing opinions...which I appreciate, but for those of you that think using the time to develop my CV is the best choice, where do I find information on what and where is available to someone at my level of education?

I would ask around your medical school...deans and the like. Numerous research possibilities exist such as the summer research program sponsored by the Society for Pediatric Research/American Pediatric Society.

As for being an interesting human, travel/leisure is cool but investing in your career is pretty important too. I am not really an interesting human being (people think I suck) and I got more residency interviews because of my CV rather than the stamps on my passport. 😉

 

[cdql]

Of course, the flip side is, once you are inside the interview, the stamps on your passport could provide for some pretty interesting conversation starters!