What are you doing This Summer?

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[erin682]

I'm not doing anything medical at all. I don't care about my resume or experience, I've got the rest of my life to think about that stuff. Instead I'm hiking as much of the appalachian trail as I have time for. I've already done some of it and I'm hoping to get to the halfway point this year. I'm looking forward to it so much, I can't wait.

 

[katrinadams9]

I'm planning on doing some light volunteer work. That way I can spend most of the summer relaxing. I'll probably go on a couple of road trips to visit my fam that's out of state. I definitely want to catch up on my non-med school reading and SLEEP!!!

 

[dancinjenn]

prosector (why not get paid to do cool dissections) and sleep 🙂

Yeah, yeah I know I'm weird for wanting to do more anatomy

 

[FernandoV]

I don't care about my resume or experience, I've got the rest of my life to think about that stuff.

For those of you with this attitude (which seems to be quite a few), I hope you are not striving for any competitive residencies because, in terms of that route, the summer between M1 and M2 is huge. What do I mean by that? RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH. If you are planning on doing one of the less competetive residencies, do whatever you want, but if you are thinking higher up, then you must get something accomplished during this summer.

By the way, erin682.....this IS the rest of your life.

 

[Harrie]

I have to agree. I heard that it didn't matter, do something fun between MS1 and MS2, etc. But when I finally decided on my career plans (surgical subspecialty) I realized that I was at a HUGE disadvantage with no research. Please, if you want to do something competitive stick around the lab this summer.

Just some advice from an MS4 with some regrets.

 

[erin682]

Thanks for the advice guys but I'm not planning on a competitive residency. And as for it being the rest of my life, I'm well aware that it is and thats why I'm planning on hiking. I've done research in the past and I've hiked in the past and though it may not seem like it hiking prepares me for medicine far more than research. It won't look as good on a resume I have no doubt but I'm prepared to take that chance. Besides like I said I don't want a competitive residency.

 

[donvicious]

I'd like to do some research. Anyone know of opportunities near LA that offer a stipend?

 

[Blake]

I'm trying to get a research spot in neurosurgery. A buddy of mine managed to get a sweet spot last year, and he told me it's fairly easy getting it. We have our neurology unit in 2 months, so I should be able to make a few contacts for a summer job *crosses fingers*. If I don't get this particular research spot, I'll look for another one in a surgically-related field. If that fails too, then I'll be travelling to Europe (family there) and enjoying the last summer I've got (since next year, our summer vacation = 1 week at my school ).

 

[SarahGM]

For those of you with this attitude (which seems to be quite a few), I hope you are not striving for any competitive residencies because, in terms of that route, the summer between M1 and M2 is huge. What do I mean by that? RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH. If you are planning on doing one of the less competetive residencies, do whatever you want, but if you are thinking higher up, then you must get something accomplished during this summer.

By the way, erin682.....this IS the rest of your life.

I don't know... it's not like you're going to get anything published.

Furthermore, the dean of students at our school is *encouraging* us to something absolutely non-medical related over the summer, as it is our last *free* summer until RETIREMENT!

One would think that a dean would be encouraging students to do research just for the sheer sake of having a better match turnout for that school. But no... doesn't seem to be the case here.

 

[SarahGM]

I spent the entire year between undergrad and med school working in a research lab... so I'm not really feeling the pressure to do research.

I hope to spend the summer in Burlington, VT with my boyfriend... maybe hike a portion of the Long Trail? We'll see....

Any UVM students around this board who know of any jobs this summer? I'm not hugely opposed to doing some lab work (clinical work preferable) but I'd almost prefer some odd summer-y job type thingie. I swore I'd never waitress again, but the tips are nice.... ideas??

 

[dancinjenn]

I just can't imagine that 2 months, 3 max, of research during your MS1 summer is going to be that effective. You probably won't get published, you probably won't even have a byline. Are you really going to be learning that much as a scut puppy?

Doc: So what did you learn during your research opportunity?
Student: How to carry a tray and watch a clock.

Do 2 months of research really make the difference? I mean even if you are going for a hard-core specialty? What about spending the summer volunteering, does that count? To my way of thinking there can't be research opportunities for everyone. What if you want to spend time with your family, or are having a baby, or getting married.

I want to do surgery, don't know if that will change over the next couple of years, but probably not, but I also want to accomplish things in my personal life as well.

 

[DarksideAllstar]

I'd like to do some research. Anyone know of opportunities near LA that offer a stipend?

I suppose you are referring to Los Angeles, and there is a program in the Peds Hem-Onc Dept at Childrens Hospital LA (affiliated with USC) that offered something like $225 per week for at least 6 weeks of work. I think the deadline for apps is sometime in January, so you may want to get on it. The reasearch varies depending on the mentor you choose, but I know people that did clinical research (yuck, chart reviews!), as for myself I did bench work. They also have a lecture series on some of the different pediatric cancers and infectious disease in the immunocompromised. I thought it was a good experience. I lived in Santa Monica all summer and it was a pretty kick ass time.

 

[katrinadams9]

Is doing research for one summer really going to improve you as a doctor in the long run? Maybe if you want to go into research as your career. I got into undergrad without doing ANY research and with NO papers published whatsoever. I really don't think that watching some bacteria incubate on some plates and recording the data is really going to help me "be all that I can be."

If you want to spend your summer under the florescent lights, more power to you. I, however, will be working on my tan (with sunscreen on) and my REM sleep.

 

[FernandoV]

Is doing research for one summer really going to improve you as a doctor in the long run? Maybe if you want to go into research as your career. I got into undergrad without doing ANY research and with NO papers published whatsoever. I really don't think that watching some bacteria incubate on some plates and recording the data is really going to help me "be all that I can be."

If you want to spend your summer under the florescent lights, more power to you. I, however, will be working on my tan (with sunscreen on) and my REM sleep.

Please refer to the response directly after my first post. I am telling you, the residency directors are looking for people who have done research. It's not just for people who want to do research as their career; it's not for them at all. And it's not a way to show that you can "be all you can be". The directors of the highly competitive residencies need some way to weed out candidates and research just happens to be way up on the list of criteria for that. People who have done some (if possible, in their desired specialty, and even better, published) set themselves that further apart from the other candidates.
And it IS possible to get substantial research done over the summer. You just have to shop around and talk to people and find someone who has something set up decently well already and just needs someone to jump in and take charge of it. I am telling you the truth on this. Again, if you aren't striving for the top residencies, please disregard my rant and go ahead with your sun basking, but if you're shooting for tops, well, unless you absolutely can BANK on totally ACING boards, research is a must.

 

[quideam]

I'm going to Israel to work with MDA (Magen David Adom) as an EMT in Jerusalem... Yay!!!! So long, boring, horrible biochem... hello hands-on medicine!! I'm really excited; I love Israel, and although I volunteered as an EMT for 5 years, I haven't done it in over a year, so.... I'm psyched!!!!!

As for doing research, umm.... isn't 1st year boring enough without condemning yourself to a summer of it too?? 😛

 

[Medpilot]

There are more important things in life than medicine. And looking at the big picture is one of them. Here's to all the hikers.

 

[donvicious]

I suppose you are referring to Los Angeles, and there is a program in the Peds Hem-Onc Dept at Childrens Hospital LA (affiliated with USC) that offered something like $225 per week for at least 6 weeks of work. I think the deadline for apps is sometime in January, so you may want to get on it. The reasearch varies depending on the mentor you choose, but I know people that did clinical research (yuck, chart reviews!), as for myself I did bench work. They also have a lecture series on some of the different pediatric cancers and infectious disease in the immunocompromised. I thought it was a good experience. I lived in Santa Monica all summer and it was a pretty kick ass time.

Thanks for the tip!

 

[evajaclynn]

Actually, I'm really curious about this as well.

I haven't even begun my first year of med school yet, but I guess that its never too early to start thinking about these things...

I know that the fields that I'm now interested in will most likely change over the next few years when I get a little more hands-on experience. But right now I am interested in a few competitive residencies. So I guess that means research. =(

Anyone know of any good websites with programs for summer research? Maybe the NIH has some good opportunities.

I think hiking sounds like a great way to spend the summer - too bad I live in Kansas. 🙂

 

[lattimer13]

step 1 baby!!!

 

[woowoo]

the posters who have posted about research being very helpful for competitive residencies, are right on the money with this one. This is our only free time that we will have until our fourth year of medical school, and by that time it will be too late to do anything to improve your chances. If you are wanting to do primary care, then I wouldn't worry about doing research. Go on a long trip and find yourself, or whatever it is that makes you happy. But, if you are wanting to do something such as opthamology, ortho, neurosurg., etc. then research can only help you.

And yes, while you will only be there 2 or 3 months, it is possible to have your worked published. Find someone that is very committed to helping you out with your work. I've got something lined up this summer, and they have said that they will help me come up with my project, they are going to help me write my paper, and help me get it published, even if it isn't in JAMA (which i know it won't be, just using as an example). In addition they are going to send me to a conference to present my research as well.

 

[phoenixsupra]

prosector (why not get paid to do cool dissections) and sleep 🙂

Yeah, yeah I know I'm weird for wanting to do more anatomy

Wow, I've never heard of that job. I'd have jumped at it. I did ortho research in my first summer and ended up spending most of my time dissecting cadavers and strength testing some of the parts. Tended to do the same dissections over and over again. Yeah, I made great ortho contacts but I've since decided to go into General Surgery.

I agree, a summer research job is a bit too short. I did NOT get a publication out of it. I almost got a patent though. But a damn J&J subsidiary stole my idea. 😡 R&D can be pretty cutthroat. 😉

 

[thackl]

Count me in with the hikers 👍 I'll bank that derm residency on grades and 8yrs of work exp. & research as an engineer.

 

[phoenixsupra]

Count me in with the hikers 👍 I'll bank that derm residency on grades and 8yrs of work exp. & research as an engineer.

Uggh, derm. Another pimples and wrinkles doc.

In my school about half the class go on this weird "medical" mission where they end up going to bible class every day and knocking on doors to convert po' folks to the word of jeebes. It's weird. They all come back sort of as a gang and behave like some sort of total bastards union for the rest of the duration. Weird. It's great to go to a "non-religious" school.

 

[dancinjenn]

Wow, I've never heard of that job. I'd have jumped at it. I did ortho research in my first summer and ended up spending most of my time dissecting cadavers and strength testing some of the parts. Tended to do the same dissections over and over again. Yeah, I made great ortho contacts but I've since decided to go into General Surgery.

I agree, a summer research job is a bit too short. I did NOT get a publication out of it. I almost got a patent though. But a damn J&J subsidiary stole my idea. 😡 R&D can be pretty cutthroat. 😉

At Wayne during gross lab there are prosections laid out for the students who end up cutting through the wrong stuff, and for the really hard to get dissections. The summer between MS1 & 2 about 6-8 students are given the opportunity to produce all of the prosections for next years incoming class. Since I really want to go into surgery I am using this as a way to keep up on my anatomy. I know that it isn't research but I am sure that it shows dedication...and it can't hurt that only a select few get to do this. There is also an opportunity in our 4th year rotations to come back and do prosection then as well. In talking to some of the lab instructors both of these opportunities are great ones for making contacts in surgery and look really good to put on that app for residency. So I guess while I am not doing research per se I am doing something that will further my goals of being a surgeon. The fact that they are PAYING me to do so is just a bonus...I would have done it for free! 😛

 

[phoenixsupra]

At Wayne during gross lab there are prosections laid out for the students who end up cutting through the wrong stuff, and for the really hard to get dissections. The summer between MS1 & 2 about 6-8 students are given the opportunity to produce all of the prosections for next years incoming class. Since I really want to go into surgery I am using this as a way to keep up on my anatomy. I know that it isn't research but I am sure that it shows dedication...and it can't hurt that only a select few get to do this. There is also an opportunity in our 4th year rotations to come back and do prosection then as well. In talking to some of the lab instructors both of these opportunities are great ones for making contacts in surgery and look really good to put on that app for residency. So I guess while I am not doing research per se I am doing something that will further my goals of being a surgeon. The fact that they are PAYING me to do so is just a bonus...I would have done it for free! 😛

Sounds great. It's nice and non-specific too. It'll stand to you no matter what branch of surgery you choose. I think my ortho research will too, but I wouldn't be surprized if I get a few awkward questions about it. My answer's gonna be something along the lines of "It was the most hands on position I could find" . That's true. Since then I've moved on to being a bunny surgeon. Lot's of fun. Not a single doubt left in my mind. Surgery it is for sure. 😀

 

[Ypo.]

Thanks for the advice guys but I'm not planning on a competitive residency. And as for it being the rest of my life, I'm well aware that it is and thats why I'm planning on hiking. I've done research in the past and I've hiked in the past and though it may not seem like it hiking prepares me for medicine far more than research. It won't look as good on a resume I have no doubt but I'm prepared to take that chance. Besides like I said I don't want a competitive residency.

👍

Thats how I feel!

I'll be MSI next year, and I'm planning on going back to Hawaii for my break, where I do a lot of outdoors, rugged backpacking/camping in remote places. I get a wonderful surf spot, waterfalls and pools, coconut, banana, papaya, wild pigs and goats, all to myself. It might not prepare me for a highly competetive field in research, but I'd waaaay rather be spending my life outside than inside a lab 👎 .

This summer I'm going camping in Corcovado National Park in Costa Rica for a month. I'm so excited, I can't wait!!!

Whoever said they are going to hike the appalachian trail.... 👍 👍 I want to get around to doing that one of these days, too.

 

[SarahGM]

👍
Whoever said they are going to hike the appalachian trail.... 👍 👍 I want to get around to doing that one of these days, too.

Actually just going for the Vermont Long Trail this summer, but I *reeeeeeeeeeeally* want to do the AT sometime... maybe after retirement? I have soooo many plans for retirement now, it's hilarious... AT, Peace Corps, etc.

I'll make the request one more time in hopes that someone might see it... any UVMers know of any cool jobs in Burlington over the summer? I'll do lab work if it means $$ 😀

 

[erin682]

There are so many hikers on here. I had no idea. For the people hiking the Long Trail, do you know how many miles it is. I might have to look into that, the area is supposed to be beautiful. For those of you hiking the on the AT this summer maybe I'll see you. I'm going Hot Springs, NC to Harper's Ferry WV. I did Springer to Hot Springs last summer and it was amazing. Being out in the woods after being in school where everything is so crazy all the time was so great.

 

[Harrie]

Do 2 months of research really make the difference? I mean even if you are going for a hard-core specialty? What about spending the summer volunteering, does that count?

Yes, that summer of research does make a difference. I know because I didn't do it and I'm getting A LOT of questions about it now. And no, they don't really get too excited about volunteering. Oh, and those clinical preceptorships are worthless in the eyes of the program directors.
Do I think that the two months of research makes you a better doctor? No...but you've gotta learn to play the game or be sorry.

Note: I am only talking about surgical subspecialties. If you want to do Family Practice, they would probably prefer the volunteer stuff over research.

 

[uclakid]

In order to get research after summer of MS1, is it important to have done research in undergrad? Do you need research experience?

 

[SarahGM]

Yes, that summer of research does make a difference. I know because I didn't do it and I'm getting A LOT of questions about it now. And no, they don't really get too excited about volunteering. Oh, and those clinical preceptorships are worthless in the eyes of the program directors.
Do I think that the two months of research makes you a better doctor? No...but you've gotta learn to play the game or be sorry.

Note: I am only talking about surgical subspecialties. If you want to do Family Practice, they would probably prefer the volunteer stuff over research.

OK, so what about specialties like...

anesthesia
general peds
peds - cardio

Huge on the summer research as well?

 

[Tiki]

Am I the only one who is excited about spending the summer doing research? My school has it set up pretty well for those students who want to spend significant time doing research. During the spring semester, we are allowed to shadow different researchers to figure out which one we want to work with over the summer. Once we figure out what kind of project we would like to do, we can start planning it during the semester, so we will be ready to go come summer, hopefully enabling us to finish up the project and get published.

If I don't finish over the summer, I'm considering taking a year off to get some substantial research experience. The school allows us take a year off, but still remain enrolled. Plus I can get a decent stipend to boot.

 

[ndi_amaka]

What if you don't know what you want to do???

I did psych research at the med school right before I started school. I want to do research in cardiology, EM, or surgery...but let's say i decide to go into urology or oncology instead. Do program directors want you to do research in the field you decide on? How can anyone make that decision 3 yrs ahead of time.

 

[dancinjenn]

Sounds great. It's nice and non-specific too. It'll stand to you no matter what branch of surgery you choose. I think my ortho research will too, but I wouldn't be surprized if I get a few awkward questions about it. My answer's gonna be something along the lines of "It was the most hands on position I could find" . That's true. Since then I've moved on to being a bunny surgeon. Lot's of fun. Not a single doubt left in my mind. Surgery it is for sure. 😀

Poor little bunnies...cute little fluffy bunnies. 🙁 Do you think they'd make a good coat??? 😱 JK!!!

 

[SarahGM]

Furthermore, is it just me, or does it seem a bit too much for a first year medical student to just whimsically "come up" with some grandiose research plan (something **no one else has thought of**, let alone something that would actually be funded), figure out how to exactly execute said project, and then get it done over the summer?

Am I just uncreative, people?

 

[EMTLizzy]

Is anyone getting married during the break between MSI and MSII? I haven't started yet, but was thinking this would be a good time to get married and have a real honeymoon since you won't have much time off after this.

...checking all the boxes under the tree for a small, square one....

 

[phoenixsupra]

Poor little bunnies...cute little fluffy bunnies. 🙁 Do you think they'd make a good coat??? 😱 JK!!!

Angora sweaters maybe. 😉 😀

 

[dancinjenn]

Angora sweaters maybe. 😉 😀

mmm, Angora. Too bad I have no money...stupid medical school loans. 😡

 

[care bear]

Am I the only one who is excited about spending the summer doing research? My school has it set up pretty well for those students who want to spend significant time doing research. During the spring semester, we are allowed to shadow different researchers to figure out which one we want to work with over the summer. Once we figure out what kind of project we would like to do, we can start planning it during the semester, so we will be ready to go come summer, hopefully enabling us to finish up the project and get published.

If I don't finish over the summer, I'm considering taking a year off to get some substantial research experience. The school allows us take a year off, but still remain enrolled. Plus I can get a decent stipend to boot.

tiki,
i am very excited about research too. the more and more months i am in med school the more i become convinced that i'm here in order to learn to be a better scientist; in order to have knowledge enough to ask the right questions and think critically about clinically-related problems. i get much more excited by the thought of summer in a lab than i do the thought of a summer doing something overtly clinical, for instance.

i have also thought of taking another research year. the cloisters program sounds AWESOME but i hear they actually look at things like your undergrad grades!!! 😱 (bad for me b/c i got the biggest case of senioritis EVER after i got into medschool). but anyway. . .no you're not the only one!

that being said, if i wasn't fired up about research, *of course* i wouldn't spend my summer doing it. other posters in this thread are right- life is too short to spend it doing lots of things you hate just so that you will look good to others.

 

[kiernin]

Furthermore, is it just me, or does it seem a bit too much for a first year medical student to just whimsically "come up" with some grandiose research plan (something **no one else has thought of**, let alone something that would actually be funded), figure out how to exactly execute said project, and then get it done over the summer?

I'm another one of the few MS1's on this board who is excited about research. I think showing initiative and planning ahead are the keys to making your summer research count. I started looking for a PI in October who was willing to work with me, a student who has done no prior research. I looked specifically in ENT because I'm interested in that field or another surgical subspecialty. I was lucky enough to find a very supportive lab. The PI has a staff member who has been very good at explaining things to me, giving me articles to read, teaching me lab techniques, etc. The PI came up with an original project idea for me for next summer (you're right, there's absolutely no way I could have done this on my own, especially since this is basic science research), and the staff member and I did a literature search to make sure no one else had published on this topic. She helped me put together a grant application for my project, and I'm planning to apply for a second grant as well. So if all goes according to plan, I'll have an original research project and several thousand dollars in funding waiting for me as soon as summer break starts. The lab has also committed to helping me write the manuscript, publish (most likely as first author), and present. So yes, I do think it's possible to do some significant research in the few months between MS1 and MS2. I did this all on my own though... my school doesn't have any programs that help students find summer research projects or anything.

 

[BenYossarian]

At Wayne during gross lab there are prosections laid out for the students who end up cutting through the wrong stuff, and for the really hard to get dissections. The summer between MS1 & 2 about 6-8 students are given the opportunity to produce all of the prosections for next years incoming class. Since I really want to go into surgery I am using this as a way to keep up on my anatomy. I know that it isn't research but I am sure that it shows dedication...and it can't hurt that only a select few get to do this. There is also an opportunity in our 4th year rotations to come back and do prosection then as well. In talking to some of the lab instructors both of these opportunities are great ones for making contacts in surgery and look really good to put on that app for residency. So I guess while I am not doing research per se I am doing something that will further my goals of being a surgeon. The fact that they are PAYING me to do so is just a bonus...I would have done it for free! 😛

yeah...I signed up for something like this at UTSW...but its for a position as a TA for a summer class for PAs and PTs (and maybe MS1s who have to take it again...which would be kind of awkward...) I thought about this vs. research...and I'm not even sure I want to be a surgeon (actually I'm thinking not) but I just decided I"d enjoy this more. BUT I haven't got the job yet, so if it falls through, I'll do research. Plus this job will get me lots of $$$$ (supposedly)

 

[dancinjenn]

yeah...I signed up for something like this at UTSW...but its for a position as a TA for a summer class for PAs and PTs (and maybe MS1s who have to take it again...which would be kind of awkward...) I thought about this vs. research...and I'm not even sure I want to be a surgeon (actually I'm thinking not) but I just decided I"d enjoy this more. BUT I haven't got the job yet, so if it falls through, I'll do research. Plus this job will get me lots of $$$$ (supposedly)

Hey $10 an hour 40 hours a week is not bad...it's a lot better than waitressing at the local coney!

 

[prmd4555]

2-3 months of full time research is usually enough to get a first author abstract to submit for a medical/scientific conference, even if not a paper.

 

[Paws]

I am going to be doing a research project this summer. I thought it might be a more laid back summer but when I talked to the PI today about writing up the proposal I realized that #1 his work is really intense and #2 I don't really know anything about his specialty, and all the background for the research.

So, while I have done research before, ever lab is different and especially the area of focus. I felt like a dimwit in his office, but hey! cancer immunotherapy is a deep topic and you can't learn it in a couple of weeks.

But I think I am going to be working hard all summer!

 

[surrender903]

tiki,
i am very excited about research too. the more and more months i am in med school the more i become convinced that i'm here in order to learn to be a better scientist; in order to have knowledge enough to ask the right questions and think critically about clinically-related problems. i get much more excited by the thought of summer in a lab than i do the thought of a summer doing something overtly clinical, for instance.

i have also thought of taking another research year. the cloisters program sounds AWESOME but i hear they actually look at things like your undergrad grades!!! 😱 (bad for me b/c i got the biggest case of senioritis EVER after i got into medschool). but anyway. . .no you're not the only one!

that being said, if i wasn't fired up about research, *of course* i wouldn't spend my summer doing it. other posters in this thread are right- life is too short to spend it doing lots of things you hate just so that you will look good to others.

i agree with you 100%, if you enjoy doing research, then go ahead, do it and have fun. I personally do not like it at all, id rather spend my entire summer working with psychiatrists or ME's

 

[DarksideAllstar]

I thought that I might address a few questions that others had posted re: summer research.

1. You dont need to come up with an original plan on your own. Typically, the PI (principal Investigator) will have something that you can work on (especially if its a summer fellowship that he is a participant in). You especially dont have to know everything about the topic or the techniques that the lab uses. They will generally give you some "reading material" to bring you up to speed.

2. You dont have to be an expert in the lab. Half of the people that I did research with didn't know how to use a pipette.

3. 2 months is plenty of time to do enough work to help contribute to a publication. I ended up with an abstract and a paper from my summer research.

4. Doing research doesnt mean you spend every waking moment in the lab (although some PIs may want you to). I surfed, went camping/hiking, and got ridiculously drunk plenty during my summer of "research". I went to numerous Angels/Dodgers games, and got to meet some students from other schools through my program. Don't get me wrong, I spent some long days in the lab, but I also played around alot.

5. Only do research if you are interested in it, not because you "have to". It seems crazy to me to spend your time doing something that you hate (if it isnt required).

 

[docmemi]

step 1 baby!!!

bump

how do you get published in 2 months????? i want to go into surgery maybe.

 

[CoronaBOY]

Trying to figure out what to do b/t my MS1 and MS2 years. Anyone know of something good to do in Europe? I'm looking for some type of clinical experience.

play your a$$ off till you get sick of it
or you will regret it rest of your life like i did

many ppl try to do some research or preceptorship ( which i did) over the summer. IMO it might helpful but not as much you would think.
after my preceptorship, it was pretty easy for me to do clinical class (PE stuff) but those you can just pick up after couple of tries...no need to waste your precious summer

I spent couple of weeks in NY visiting my brother and hang out, which was the best part of my summer...sad...

i guess it all depends on ppl, but if i can do it all over again, i will travel for at least 2 months and play...or as much as my loan money covers me...

good luck

 

[Newquagmire]

anyone have good leads on international clinics that are receptive to some medical student help? i'm particularly interested in less developed countries...