<p>I'm thinking about going to an abroad internship in the UK next year. It is in a hospital, and I will have the opportunity to work with a researcher and a doctor privately for a month.
The thing is, the program is very expensive (7000+) but it includes lodgeing, transportation )w/o aircare :[) and food.
Is it worth it?
Should I go? I want to gain experience in my future field (healthcare) and boost up my college resume. I'm going to be a junior.
THANKS</p>
<p>The truth is, as spoken by upenns dean of admissions, Is that any program that costs money will not help you and will nt hinder you when applying to college.</p>
<p>Do you plan on going to med school in the UK? Then what is the attraction? Plenty of local med facilities who need volunteers. Save your parents’ money. </p>
<p>That flushing sound you hear is the value of $7000 if you decide on this less-than-useful internship.</p>
<p>The thing is, I do volunteer here, but all i do is give hand out water to patients, though i often ask if I can observe anything else. It is a program where you are matched to a specific researcher and you do research. Do you think the experience and the rec letter (thats almost certain going to be coming) is worth it?</p>
<p>Do you think for sure that you won’t be put into more of an observer/menial labor role doing research? Just make sure that the 7000$ isn’t just being put into without tangible results.</p>
<p>The thing is, you could also quite easily find a researcher to work with, and many students do it, FOR FREE. Email professors. Initiative is, arguable, a much better trait in college admissions than liquid assets.</p>
<p>I agree 100% with rxin94 as I’ve actually read that too (and not only from penn but from about a million other deans). Work experience will not “help” you anywhere. It is simply for that: work experience. How you utilize those experiences will depend on you. Will you write an inspiring essay from your experience? Will you use that research and enter an intel science competition? Will you gain a letter of recommendation from your relations with that school?</p>
<p>Never expect the extracurricular or ANYTHING ELSE on your application to just speak for itself. The accomplishment should not be impressive, the impressive accomplishment should be a part of who you are that makes you attractive to the admissions officers.</p>
<p>In fact, writing down “I went ____ and did _____” never helps anyone. Admissions officers can see that you did it for college. It seems that today EVERYONE went to some third world country and helped someone (not saying UK is like that but you get my point)</p>
<p>If it seems worthwhile, do it and don’t just expect people to hand you things on a silver platter but extend your connections farther than what they offer. Ask questions and look for opportunities. Once you start looking, you’ll discover open doors in life just about anywhere. However, if it seems like it wont help you, don’t bother.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>