<p>Hello,
I am currently an aspiring pre-med in my first year at college. I know it's not too soon to think about summer opportunities so I thought this was the best place to get ideas and since you guys seem to know a lot about the process I'd appreciate your input. I'm not sure what I want to major in yet (possibly biology).
I've been looking for internships and research opportunities but a lot of them seem to be only open for college students who are at least on the sophomore level. I've checked the internships available on [url=<a href="http://www.rit.edu%5DRIT">http://www.rit.edu]RIT</a> - Rochester Institute of Technology<a href="the%20one%20that%20has%20links%20to%20internships%20all%20around%20the%20country">/url</a> and nothing seem to be catered for freshmen. I could probably get a research position for the summer at my school, since I have one right now, but my home is 1000s of miles away and I don't want to stay in school for the summer, nor pay the insane amount of money. I've considered taking some classes at either NYU or Columbia but I think my time would be well spent doing an internship as well.</p>
<p>What did you guys do your freshman summer?</p>
<p>Have you looked at the NIH summer internships?</p>
<p>Hey Departed,</p>
<p>My advisor told me that the summer between freshman and sophomore year is "the last true summer." This is the time to travel, be with friends, have a cool job (lifeguarding was a popular choice in my house), etc.</p>
<p>Last summer (I'm a college sophomore), I was a resident advisor for a Summer College Program for high school students run through my university - a paid, 6-week position. I had such a wonderful experience (I applied to be an RA for the next academic year) --- and it's not only something that stands out on my resume, but it's something to discuss in medical school interviews and essays (e.g. riding in the ambulance with a student who was having an allergic reaction, one student who drank himself to a 0.4 BAC, one student who got on a bus to NYC to meet a guy she had chatted with on Myspace, etc).</p>
<p>During my 6-week job, I did small-scale research in the genetics department (where I am now applying for a more full-time position) and found out that I actually like research.</p>
<p>In all, do something you'll enjoy; most of my friends aren't looking forward to spending their summers in a lab, but they'll do it because "it looks good." This should never be the case. (I'll be volunteering at a local hospital, interning at UMich, and cramming for the MCAT myself). Bottom line: make this summer count. Good luck!</p>
<p>P.S. one of my friends was an RA for a similar high school program at Columbia this past summer. If you'll be in the city anyways, you could look into that -- also take the time to seek out research opportunities while you're there as well.</p>