What to Do During the Summer?

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kari18

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What are good ideas of things to do during the summer between first and second year? If you don't do anything, would it hurt your residency application?

Is research and volunteering abroad be looked upon the same way?
 
Unless you have a good reason that you can explain in residency interviews, you should do SOMETHING between 1st and 2nd years. As for a distinction between foreign volunteer work or research, it is up to you. If you are planning on doing something in primary care, volunteer work is probably better. If you are thinkning something more competitive (surgical subspecialty etc...) research might be the way to go. As long as you are busy doing something productive I think it is good. Even shadowing a doctor in a field you are interested in would be great. I happen to be doing research now between MSI and MSII. It has been interesting, boring, and sometimes fun, but in the end I hope it will help my CV and show that I was trying to be a better medical student.
 
shadowing is useless. 3rd and 4th year is exposure to medicine, and much more than shadowing. don't waste your time.

if you wanna do peds, IM, family, etc. just enjoy your summer. if you want to do something competitive do research. many research opportunities are available with very decent hours so you can still enjoy your summer break.

i wrote two chapters and helped publish an article (2nd author) while still having plenty of time to drink 3-4 days a week, hit the gym daily, visit high school/college friends, and see family.

edit: enjoying your summer may also mean volunteering in the amazon. if i wasnt hell-bent on surgery, ida totally have done that.
 
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