<p>Hi, so I've encountered a lot of sites and links that have information on summer programs both to expose people to medical education (SMDEP) and programs that focus on research. There are a lot of programs, and since I'm going to be a college freshman next year, I want to start applying for them next year so I can spend my summers productively. </p>
<p>Is there any way to narrow down the scope for these programs, since on a website, they all sound the same except at different universities and locations. Can someone tell me which are the better research summer programs and clinical shadowing opportunities? </p>
<p>Also these programs require professor recommendations, so how can a freshman get a recommendation when s/he only had the professor for four months? I'm really interested in spending my summers productively doing biomedical or chemical research and/or shadowing a physician and learning about clinical research. I missed out on these opportunities during high school, which I'm still kind of bitter about, so I would like to make up for that during college.</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>This site has a lot of programs. How do you differentiate between them? Which ones are worth it and give the best experience? Is there anyone who can share their experience at a summer research program or premedical clinical program?
Pre-med</a> Internships</p>
<p>I forgot to mention, the reason that I’m asking this is because I find myself spending hours poring over these sites and on this forum trying to figure what opportunities I should make use of. I’m the kind of person who hates it when opportunities pass by me and I like to make use of everything. But I would like to see if there’s a way I can make it easier for myself and save me less time by focusing on a couple of programs.</p>
<p>There is no easy way for you to narrow down summer programs. Apply to as many as you can and pray that you get into one. D is at a 10 week paid internship for the summer that covered plane fare, room/board and a nice weekly paycheck. I have heard from others that she is VERYfortunate to have this. This program had a 2.2% admittance rate! Same advice as for UG or med school, apply broadly!</p>
<p>Apply to all, they are impossible to get into. My D. (college senior with perfect GPA, awesome recs and extensive exp[erience in Research) could not get into any. Good that she has internship position at her campus during school year. This should be your focus - get every opportunity at anything, including job at your college. It is much harder to get it outside. Well, if you have family connections, use them, otherwise it is close to impossible, at least in our area.</p>
<p>where does she go?</p>
<p>re prof recommendations - start by getting to know your profs. Go to office hours and ask them about their research. Find out about their education - what did they like, what would they do over, what advice would they give some one today. My daughter got a sophomore year research position by just talking to the prof intelligently about the prof’s research area. Go to any special events that your dept has or any talks by outside experts.</p>
<p>Post-freshman year summer research: Don’t try for the high powered positions just yet. Focus on getting any experience. Your local state universities, or even out of state, have programs that are open to any student. Still many of the students will be sophs or higher. My daughter is at a state university for the summer -pay and room and board and flights. Most of the students are not from that state. The little feed back we got was that the prof recs were important. Her high gpa probably helped too. 850 students applied for 60 positions. I don’t know how many were accepted but went to other programs.</p>
<p>If you are a woman, from a disadvantaged background, at a small lac, or a minority I may have some additional links for you.</p>