<p>So I just got accepted to the Summer Medical and Dental Education Program (SMDEP) sponsored by the AAMC and I want to know how valuable it is to attend. I also got offered to work in a lab at my school over the summer and possibly publish a really small paper with the help of my advisor here at my school. I must also note that he said I can work with him whenever I want to try to get a publication (even during the school year and other summers, which, as a freshman, I don't know any open summers except the one between junior and senior year, which seems a little too late).</p>
<p>The question is: should I attend a summer program that pays me a stipend and looks very exciting or should I do research with my research advisor at my home institution with the possibility of getting a better recommendation letter and a co-author-ish or small publication? Is SMDEP prestigious enough to actually mean anything?</p>
<p>And please respond as soon as possible. I need to send a letter with my decision within a few days. Thanks.</p>
<p>Go with the program. As you mentioned, your professor is flexible and sounds willing to let you do some research with him some other time. The program sounds like an opportunity that would look amazing on your resume.</p>
<p>It depends entirely on what you'd actually be doing over that summer program, as well as which summer this is for you -- i.e. that might be an okay thing to do your first summer, but probably not later on.</p>
<p>I'm not entirely sure what you mean by having 'open' summers as the time to fit in lab work; that's what you're SUPPOSED to be doing over the summer (and during the academic year too). I am a huge proponent of getting as much time in the lab in as possible, as publications are never a sure thing, even if a professor says you have a chance to get published, and more work means more increasing the chance to get a paper out, which is a big deal. Also, even though a professor says they're flexible, things in the lab change, and there is not necessarilly a spot waiting for you whenever you feel like taking him up on the offer.</p>
<p>That said, this program sounds worthwhile, especially if you get a stipend and you're only a freshman (though I don't know how much it'll help you for med school applications, since I have no idea how much relevant research/clinical exposure you'll get). I am skeptical as to you're only being able to do one or the other though; most programs like that run for 6-8 weeks I suspect, and given the longer summer you have as a college student, I don't see why you couldn't do the program then head back to campus early to start in the lab.</p>
<p>The reason I must choose is because the program is in the first 6 weeks of my summer break, and my advisor will be leaving out of town for the second 6 weeks of summer break.</p>
<p>I have another question for which its answer may decide what I will do: approximately what percent of premeds publish papers? Is it okay if I just do research during the academic year and help out in the lab? Or is it like medical schools put a huge gold star next to your name because you got something published (kinda like a threshold)?</p>
<p>And by not having "open summers" I mean I'm going to use the summer between sophomore and junior year to primarily study for the MCAT while volunteering at a hospital (to save time. You think this is normal?). The summer between junior and senior year seems too late for me to be trying to publish a paper since even though I am successful I may not be able to list that on my application (don't get me wrong, I like research but publishing a paper is pushing yourself to the next level).</p>
<p>1.) The publication might not show up on your application, but your lab work still will. You do need research in the summers prior to that, but you also need research that summer.</p>
<p>2.) You cannot afford an entire summer for the MCAT unless this "volunteer" work is serious, meaningful stuff. My second summer was devoted to the MCAT, a full-time and paid research job, and international medical experience.</p>
<p>3.) It all depends on what you'll be doing during this premedical thing.</p>
<p>4.) Publications are not common enough to be mandatory nor rare enough to be a guarantee. But they're a big, big deal.</p>
<p>Publications big, big deal? So if you have one, does that put you in much superior standing in the eyes of adcom compared to a student who is not published?</p>
<p>Few pre-meds have meaningful publications. Being first author on a paper would stand out; being second "working" author where the first author is merely the titular head of a lab would also stand out. Being one of several authors, especially the most junior author, is less impressive.</p>