What is a 'summer program'?

[Intrepidation]

A fellow EMT and premed I work with mentioned something about participating in a summer program at a medical school- and mentioned most MS's have a program. He basically said that it involved several weeks of research with faculty of the medical school, and really helps your chances of going to that specific school.

So, is there any merit to what he says? What are the specifics of these programs (as I can't find any info online)?

Anyone here who has participated in one of these as a premed and comments?

Thanks.

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[kam730]

I am currently participating in one of these research programs at U. of KY med school. I am sure if you know someone that would help, but since I didnt, I simply spent countless hours last semester searching the internet for "summer undergraduate research programs." I found thousands, some through med schools, some just through basic science programs such as biology and chemistry. And, yes, from my experience I would agree that most med schools offer such programs. While a program through a med school might be slightly more beneficial, dont limit your options to only med schools. Any research experience is worthy, and you can find programs in the basic sciences at almost any university. This site was particularly helpful: <a href="http://www.rit.edu/~gtfsbi/Symp/summer.htm" target="_blank">http://www.rit.edu/~gtfsbi/Symp/summer.htm</a>
Good luck, hope you find something.

 

[Spiderman [RNA Ladder 2003]]

I am doing one of these too.

 

[ellerose]

There are summer research programs, and there are premedical summer programs. Both can offer helpful and interesting experiences, but it is up to you whether you are more into one type of experience over another.

If you are of minority and/or disadvantaged status, I would suggest the Minority Medical Education Program (MMEP), which is a national program with ~12 sites at medical schools all over the country. To find out more: <a href="http://www.aamc.org/students/minorities/mmep." target="_blank">http://www.aamc.org/students/minorities/mmep.</a>

For more basic sciences research (also including some opportunities for clinical research), I would suggest the Mayo Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program. More info: <a href="http://www.mayo.edu/mgs/surf.html." target="_blank">www.mayo.edu/mgs/surf.html.</a>

I did both of these programs, and found each experience very rewarding. Let me know if you have any specific questions about either program.

I can't say that participating in a particular school's summer program will help you get into their school. However, I did get into the two medical schools that I did the two programs at. But, I don't think it was just doing the programs that got me in. Each experience added to my application in a positive way, and they helped me grow as an applicant and as a person.

Here are some more helpful websites about various summer programs:

<a href="http://www.life.uiuc.edu/hughes/undergrad_prog/researchopps/researchopps.dir.html" target="_blank">http://www.life.uiuc.edu/hughes/undergrad_prog/researchopps/researchopps.dir.html</a> (mostly research programs aimed at training future PhDs and MD/PhDs, but some interesting options included)

<a href="http://www.sciencenet.emory.edu/undergrad/summer_research.html" target="_blank">http://www.sciencenet.emory.edu/undergrad/summer_research.html</a> (also, research-oriented programs)

<a href="http://www.medicine.uiowa.edu/biosciences/summerprograms.htm" target="_blank">http://www.medicine.uiowa.edu/biosciences/summerprograms.htm</a> (summer programs exclusively at the University of Iowa)

<a href="http://www-hl.syr.edu/hpap/SPstate.htm" target="_blank">http://www-hl.syr.edu/hpap/SPstate.htm</a> (a great listing of programs for premedical students; most are aimed at minority students, but many have no specific guidelines for participation)

<a href="http://www.ascb.org/committees/edcom/summerprograms.htm" target="_blank">http://www.ascb.org/committees/edcom/summerprograms.htm</a> (another great list of mostly research-oriented programs)

<a href="http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/funding/training/redbook/underint.htm" target="_blank">http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/funding/training/redbook/underint.htm</a> (NIH-funded research programs)

Good luck and happy hunting. Even though some of these lists say that they are comprehensive, there are some programs out there that aren't mentioned in these webpages. If you have an interest at a particular school, contact the pre-health advisor's office at the particular school (if it has an undergrad-affiliated school) or the medical school admissions office for info on summer programs at that institution.

Most applications for summer programs are due between December and the beginning of March for the following summer. So, if you are interested in participating in a program next summer, start researching which programs you want to apply to, and get their applications as soon as they come out (sometime during the fall), and apply to as many as you want this winter. Sometime next spring you should have a good idea where you will be spending your summer (by April you should have been accepted to at least one program, if you are competitive for the particular programs you applied for). Good luck! :wink: