<p>Do med schools look at the summer between high school and undergrad? I want to do some volunteering overseas. I think I will do it anyway but it would also be nice if I could put that under my belt for med school admissions. Answerrrr Pleaseeeee. Thanks.</p>
<p>Yes, the med schools do look at it. For example your final high school transcripts have already been sent to you, and you have already received your high school diploma, you are basically out of high school and already accepted(enrolled) in college. That would be awesome volunteering overseas, where about overseas and how? I have been trying to volunteer overseas but it cost over $1300, do you have to pay that much?</p>
<p>If you're into volunteering, there's plenty of help needed in the US (or wherever you are). Plenty of experience to be had in, for example, hospitals that serve poor areas or charity clinics/hospitals. Or even soup kitchens... I don't think it matters where you do it. Just get something out of it...</p>
<p>If you want to explore research, you could also start bugging professors at your undergrad college. :)</p>
<p>i'm not sure what you mean by "look at" exactly. If you did something notable during that summer then u mention it...if not then you dont....but noone in an interview or on an application will ask you specifically what you did during that summer.</p>
<p>futuredoctor: yes, I think we are talking about the same type of overseas volunteering where I will pay around $1,300. I was thinking about going to Africa and following some doctors around. Giving medical help in underdeveloped countries has been my inspiration for becoming a doctor and I think it would be a great experience to actually go there and see for myself. I've done volunteering at local hospitals but I just don't think walking around and filling up empty cups with water is what being a doctor is all about.</p>
<p>Shraf: By "look at" I mean put into consideration when the adcoms are sifting through the applications. That is, does what I do during this summer count for anything, whether it may be experience, volunteer experience, or random extracurricular activity?</p>
<p>Thanks for the help.</p>
<p>i was also interested in volunteering in africa but it is too expensive to volunteer and will probably do it summer of junior year.</p>
<p>Anyone have any recommendations from past "programs"/groups that went to Africa or other underdeveloped countries for such premed experience? Websites with a description/comment about your experience would be great.</p>
<p>I really want to do this too... I share your passion for helping in underdeveloped areas. If anyone knows of a website/program that we could look into... definitely post it!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.volunteer.org.nz/programs/%5B/url%5D">http://www.volunteer.org.nz/programs/</a></p>
<p>If anyone is interested in the China program please tell me. I'm planning to go during summer if I don't get to stay in Taipei. I've had two years of experience teaching English using Mandarin.</p>
<p>I also want to go back to South Africa (where I grew up) to work in public healthcare when I graduate. But I figured I'd better start on home base (since I know Mandarin) and try some more teaching.</p>