<p>Although I'm 100% positive I want to work in a clinical setting when I'm older, I have a strong desire to do undergrad research. Not only do I find lab work intriguing, but I know it will look good on my resume. However, I really only wanted to do it during the fall and/or spring semesters. I rather spend time back at home and pursue more clinical interests (I'm an EMT and I also want to shadow this summer). It seems like this is somewhat detrimental to my research application. Almost all of the professors on my major's (bio) research site ask for a summer session. The one professor who has interviewed me so far seemed to really like me, but she didn't appreciate the fact that I did not want to research over the summer and this was most likely the reason why she chose the other candidate. I also got a letter in the mail saying I'm qualified for a summer fellowship (and it can ONLY be this summer). I'm really torn. Is it basically mandatory to do research over the summer? And if I end up not doing research, is it really going to harm my med school app that much? (I basically have the rest of the typical premed extracurriculars under my belt already).</p>
<p>I can see why professors would request that you work over the summer. After all, you’re likely to get more research hours in during the summer than the rest of the school year combined. It’s your call. Not every professor will demand summer work but I think it’s to your benefit if you want to accomplish a substantial research project during your undergrad years.</p>