<p>I am currently a graduating high school senior with a tough decision on my hand. I have been accepted to two very competitive programs: a cardiac surgical skills internship at Stanford and a clinical research program at UCSF sponsored by the Arthritis Foundation. My background includes basic cardiac stem cell research last summer and volunteering at senior/children health care centers. I do not yet have any hospital experience.</p>
<p>Stanford Cardiac Surgical Skills Internship
*High School Seniors + College Pre-Meds
*Teaches heart anatomy & physiology + hands-on knot tying & suturing
*Very unique (I assume) especially for high-school graduates</p>
<p>Arthritis Foundation-sponsored UCSF clinical research
*High School Juniors, Seniors, + College Undergraduates
*Clinical translational/epidemiological (patient outcomes oriented) research
*Establish a professor relationship for future summer research</p>
<p>I would really like to join the surgical skills internship as it is very impressive and will help me get a brief taste what it may be like as a surgeon. On the other hand, I also really like the UCSF research opportunity because I could get some clinical experience and probably secure a research position for when I return next summer. (I'm not, however, sure if the clinical research entails working directly with patients or just analyzing collected data...)</p>
<p>Please weigh in with your opinions on which program I should attend. For those who suggest just relaxing this summer... I am truly passionate about these two programs so please help me decide as best you can. All input is welcome and greatly appreciated. Thanks! :)</p>
<p>I don’t know if I agree that the Stanford program is unique and very impressive at its face. What did you have to do to be accepted? Regardless of its prestige, it sounds like a great opportunity–especially if you’re potentially interested in cardiology, as indicated by your previous experience with cardiology research. </p>
<p>It’s hard to say whether this type of summer program, occurring the summer before college, would “count” as a high school or college experience. Personally, I’d count it as a high school experience, and as such I wouldn’t include it on medical school applications (those are so far down the road for you though!). So, if you’re doing this because it would “look good” to medical schools, I’d rethink; if you’re doing it because you’re interested and you think it would be a fun and interesting way to spend your summer, go for it. (I imagine it’s the latter.)</p>
<p>I see what you’re saying about the potential practical benefit of the clinical research position at UCSF, and I agree that it has the potential to be beneficial in the future. Are you going to UCSF next year? If so, forging ties early would almost certainly be beneficial. If this is the case, I’d probably “count” the experience as a college experience because it will be ongoing (assuming you stay on with this project after your program ends). </p>
<p>On the other hand, if you’re not going to UCSF, one summer of research (in a field completely different from your previous field) probably won’t make a huge difference either. Unless this work becomes published (unlikely for just a summer’s work), I’d probably classify this as a high school experience, and then wouldn’t use it for med school apps down the road.</p>
<p>Overall, I agree with you that both of these programs are great opportunities for the aspiring premed and will be a fun and interesting way to spend your summer. Will either have a huge impact on your future? Probably not. Does that diminish their worth? Of course not–they both sound like great opportunities!</p>
<p>I don’t think you can go wrong with either program. Is one in a better location for you? Is one at a better time throughout the summer? Do you have friends going to one? Does one make more financial sense? I’d probably just choose the one that sounds like more fun. You’ll have plenty of time to learn heart anatomy, surgical knots, and the ins and outs of clinical research in the future–so I don’t see a huge benefit of one over the other in terms of content either. </p>
<p>I would probably attend the UCSF research opportunity or continue research at the lab you went to last year. While you are sure to learn a lot at Stanford, you will probably relearn everything and go more in depth into heart anatomy in med school.</p>
<p>It would count as college experience if you do after you graduate high school. In other words, if you do it the summer after your senior year you can put it on your medical school application. Do the UCSF one. You can milk that to get into more prestigious research opportunities. I recently used one of my current research experiences to get into prestigious summer research opportunity that typically accepts <5 percent of its applicants. The UCSF one will not only get you in the door at UCSF research but at other prestigious places of your choosing.</p>
<p>If we’re talking about which has more long term benefits, I think the research program is the way to go. Learning heat anatomy and physiology is really nothing special to be frank, and it’s not like anyone is going to let you do any real suturing for years so from a pure “what will I learn from this experience that I can use later” I would argue not much, and if you really want to learn more about the heart and surgery, just shadow a cardiothoracic surgeon in college.</p>
<p>The research program will provide you with research experience which will automatically make you more competitive for ANY research position as an undergrad where so many people are usually coming in with no real experience. Doing research full-time is a whole different beast from doing it as a side activity. I don’t think the same applies for shadowing/learning to tie sutures.</p>
<p>With regards to locking up a summer position: I would only count on this if you really wow the prof and whether you’re looking to be paid for your time. Time is money in research, and holding a spot for you in the lab for a year until you return to work on a now totally different project a year later isn’t by any means a guarantee at a major institution like UCSF. If you’re willing to “volunteer” in the lab, then he’s more likely to find a way to fit you in again next summer.</p>
<p>If the Stanford program is the one I am aware of that charges several thousand dollars for the opportunity, I would recommend the UCSF research option which actually pays a stipend.</p>
<p>Hi There! I am planning to apply for Arthritis Foundation. </p>
<p>Regarding the following question, I would really appreciate if you may please help confirm what “diversity” means in this context.</p>
<p>“The Arthritis Foundation Summer Science Internship Program is committed to increasing diversity in the fields of rheumatology and immunology. Please describe how your inclusion in the program would increase diversity.”</p>
<p>Diversity = under-represented in medicine, socio-econonically disadvantaged, first generation to attend college, rural/medically underserved geographic area, or other category that is makes you unique and districtive</p>
<p>Thanks a lot for your response! But I am none of those, my parents are from India, though I am born here. So, wondering if Arthritis foundation only accepts minorities/such categories.</p>