Too late to get some viable experience for this summer?

[Bean Counter]

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I've had a hell of a semester so far working 25-30 hours a week, taking Bio I, Gen Chem II, and Gen Physics II and I was hoping to be able to get into some summer classes but alas it is not to be.

Now I want to figure something out that I can do over the summer that will help me on my apps. I know most spots are filled up but does anyone have any advice on something I could get involved with that would give me some good experience?

 

[Monocles]

What year are you? There are many things you can still do this summer (since it's only June and I'm assuming your university starts back up in late August or September).

You can either get a job and do something non-medical related, or go volunteer in a hospital, do some shadowing, get your EMT-basic, go on a medical trip to disadvantaged countries, etc etc.

 

[Bean Counter]

What year are you? There are many things you can still do this summer (since it's only June and I'm assuming your university starts back up in late August or September).

You can either get a job and do something non-medical related, or go volunteer in a hospital, do some shadowing, get your EMT-basic, go on a medical trip to disadvantaged countries, etc etc.

Sorry I didn't mention that. I'm a post-bacc and am working. I help manage a medical weight loss office so it is somewhat medical related but I want to get some solid EC experience for my app because that's where I believe I am the most lacking at this point.

I would absolutely love to go on a medical trip but I wouldn't know where to start.
Am I wrong in my impression that most formal summer programs wil be filled or difficult to get involved in at this point?

 

[235788]

I've had a hell of a semester so far working 25-30 hours a week, taking Bio I, Gen Chem II, and Gen Physics II and I was hoping to be able to get into some summer classes but alas it is not to be.

Now I want to figure something out that I can do over the summer that will help me on my apps. I know most spots are filled up but does anyone have any advice on something I could get involved with that would give me some good experience?

I was in the same boat and managed to dedicate 3 hours/week at the emergency room as a volunteer on sunday evenings. Volunteering is typically lax and they'll understand if your to busy here and there.

 

[patineurMD]

Definitely sign up to volunteer at your local hospital, and talk to any doctors you know about shadowing.

Medical Ministry International is fantastic, both at nurturing student learning and serving those in need. www.mmint.org PM me if you have questions about MMI! 🙂

 

[kansaskid]

Definitely sign up to volunteer at your local hospital, and talk to any doctors you know about shadowing.

Medical Ministry International is fantastic, both at nurturing student learning and serving those in need. www.mmint.org PM me if you have questions about MMI! 🙂

Definitely volunteer at your local hospital. I did this in the summers and it was perfect, four hours each Saturday morning. And I also got a free lunch in the cafeteria. Yum!

I would caution against short international volunteer trips. I've said it many times, but I'll say it again. It doesn't look that good to adcoms, you can get more done for less money in the states, and you don't actually make any sort of legit sustainable impact on the international community you'd visit. But...I am biased since I'm abroad right now volunteering for two years. And even then, it's hard to really know if my projects are making a lasting difference.

Just...stick to work in the US.

 

[patineurMD]

I would caution against short international volunteer trips. I've said it many times, but I'll say it again. It doesn't look that good to adcoms, you can get more done for less money in the states, and you don't actually make any sort of legit sustainable impact on the international community you'd visit. But...I am biased since I'm abroad right now volunteering for two years. And even then, it's hard to really know if my projects are making a lasting difference.

Just...stick to work in the US.

I mostly disagree. First, who cares how good it looks to adcoms? If you are doing your volunteer work simply to look good, you're doing it for the wrong reasons. I do agree that per dollar, you get more bang for your buck if you just sit home and send money to the red cross or MSF. They are much better equipped to treat patients than a lowly little pre-med like you or me, but that doesn't get you any experience treating patients in a third-world country. Unless you are Paul Farmer or Mother Teresa, you probably aren't personally making a huge impact anyway, no matter how long you're there. But if everyone adopts that attitude, nothing will ever get done.

My point is, I have learned a LOT on my MMI trips, about patient care, God, myself, and what it means to be a good citizen. I can't just cut ties with the US for two years (doesn't sound like the OP can either) but I did want the chance to see life from the other side of the poverty line and in doing so got some amazing experience in the operating room and beyond. I didn't change the world, but the world changed me... even if I only go for two weeks at a time. And that makes a difference in who I am as a human being, which translates to me being a more compassionate doctor. I think that is the point of all these extracurriculars we pre-meds do.