Despite having a pretty good gpa (esp for my school), I’m down to one summer program possibility (someone said it was because I wasn’t an URM/from a smaller college which many of these programs are directed to).
Do med schools put a lot of weight on “prestigeous” programs like summer reus, etc? Or can I get similar recognition if I get an unpaid internship at a local hospital/work in the lab I’m currently doing research in
My D. spent summers with her friends, sleeping in, relaxing. No medical school cared about her summers. She did very light volunteering and shadowing in her summers. She did all of her ECs during school year at her college and her Medical Research was long term. 3 years project. She is a first year resident.
Yes, absolutely.
There is the list of things that you read online you “must” do and then there is reality. My DD was concerned in UG because ‘everyone’ told her to do an internship over the summer, but she did not want to do one (whining); DD wanted to go abroad with some friends & she did that. She managed to find a cash job and do some hospital volunteer work to check some boxes, but really that is what it is, checking boxes. Once you have checked the minimums, the rest is about you being your best self. Sure, a prestigious internship can sound good, but truly, figure out your authentic self and be that. Do things that show you what working in medicine is really about (DD got some real insights into socialised medicine right when the ACA was a beginning, that was actually interesting and applicable.)
I say, choose three adjectives that describe you, three things about you as a person/student/future doctor, around which you can craft your application and make it authentic- sporty, research-focused, URM, community volunteer, etc. For example, DD is sporty, while she was abroad, she actually coached a youth team in her sport, fun & connected to who she is. Don’t panic about what “they” say you should do, yes, do the required things, but do them your way. for some people that is an internship, for others, not so much.
^^somemom gives good advice.
There is no one path to medical school.