9 answers
Amy
Student
Norcross, Georgia
2
Questions
Updated
1292 views
What should I do the summer after high school as an incoming pre-med freshman?
As someone who is planning to pursue neuroscience on the pre-med track, what are some things I should do in the summer after I graduate high school? I was thinking of getting a certificate so I can work and have clinical experience during my first year in college.
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9 answers
John Owusu
Student
27
Answers
Accra, Greater Accra Region, Ghana
Updated
John’s Answer
Hello Amy,
Congrats on beginning your pre-medical path! Here are some ideas for things you can do throughout the summer following high school to be ready for your future pre-medical education and get an applicable experience:
1. You can get a personal experience of what it's like to work in healthcare and a better grasp of the area you're joining by shadowing a doctor or other healthcare worker. This may also help you decide what area of medicine you might be interested in studying later on.
2. Volunteering at a hospital or clinic can help you gain important experience working in a healthcare environment and interacting with patients. Also, it can aid in the development of crucial abilities like cooperation, empathy, and communication.
3. Take a summer course: Think about enrolling in a summer course in biology, chemistry, or anatomy that relates to your pre-medical studies. This might give you a head start on your studies and make you ready for the challenging pre-med course material.
4. Consider looking for a summer research opportunity in an area that interests you because research experience is highly recognized in the medical industry. You can do this to improve your ability to think critically and solve problems as well as to get ready for upcoming research possibilities.
5. Read books about medicine and healthcare: Books about medicine and healthcare can help you learn more about the subject and introduce you to a variety of viewpoints and concepts. This might broaden your knowledge base and help you get ready for your future academic endeavors.
6. Before beginning your pre-med courses, don't forget to take some time to unwind and refresh. Make the most of the summer following high school by using it to explore your hobbies and gain new experiences.
Congrats on beginning your pre-medical path! Here are some ideas for things you can do throughout the summer following high school to be ready for your future pre-medical education and get an applicable experience:
1. You can get a personal experience of what it's like to work in healthcare and a better grasp of the area you're joining by shadowing a doctor or other healthcare worker. This may also help you decide what area of medicine you might be interested in studying later on.
2. Volunteering at a hospital or clinic can help you gain important experience working in a healthcare environment and interacting with patients. Also, it can aid in the development of crucial abilities like cooperation, empathy, and communication.
3. Take a summer course: Think about enrolling in a summer course in biology, chemistry, or anatomy that relates to your pre-medical studies. This might give you a head start on your studies and make you ready for the challenging pre-med course material.
4. Consider looking for a summer research opportunity in an area that interests you because research experience is highly recognized in the medical industry. You can do this to improve your ability to think critically and solve problems as well as to get ready for upcoming research possibilities.
5. Read books about medicine and healthcare: Books about medicine and healthcare can help you learn more about the subject and introduce you to a variety of viewpoints and concepts. This might broaden your knowledge base and help you get ready for your future academic endeavors.
6. Before beginning your pre-med courses, don't forget to take some time to unwind and refresh. Make the most of the summer following high school by using it to explore your hobbies and gain new experiences.
Thank you for giving me advice.
Amy
Raquel Davis
Registered Nurse, premed student
148
Answers
Providence, Rhode Island
Updated
Raquel’s Answer
Taking your time off from school to get a certificate is a great idea! Common ones students going into healthcare get are medical assistant or CNA. These would both allow you to get valuable experience working with patients while in school. Medical schools value experience in the field, so working in it is a great way to stand out as an applicant. It will also provide you with more knowledge on what it is like to work in a hospital and interact with doctors. Another good use of that time is to start getting volunteer hours in. Volunteering is another important part of your medical school application, schools tend to prefer applicants who have been volunteering with one organization for several years over someone who did a ton of hours in a few weeks. So finding something you're passionate about and continuing to volunteer with it throughout your college years would also be a great activity to strengthen your application. Best of luck!
You rock! This advice is very helpful.
Amy
Annie Gronlund
12
Answers
Updated
Annie’s Answer
See if your local hospital has any volunteer experiences. It's a great way to get more exposure to a hospital setting. Medical research and clinical trials are always in need of people and don't always require an undergraduate degree. It could get your name on a research paper that looks great on a med school application. I would search for 'research assistant' on hospital job boards and see if there are any opportunities.
You rock! This advice is very helpful.
Amy
Colleen Russell
Nurse
20
Answers
Washington, Washington
Updated
Colleen’s Answer
I would highly recommend working as a medical technician in a hospital setting. States have different requirements to become a medical technician, so the earlier you look into it the better. Working in the hospital is the best way to gain experience and knowledge. It will also help develop important bedside skills that you can't learn in med school.
Lesly Beltran
EMT and Medical Assistant
102
Answers
West Palm Beach, Florida
Updated
Lesly’s Answer
Hello! It's important to demonstrate to medical schools that you're actively involved, instead of just idling for three months. Ideally, participate in health-focused activities such as observing a physician, helping out at a hospital, assisting in a clinic, or going on a mission trip, among other things.
James Garza
Owner, Self-employed at Garza Medical Association
82
Answers
Round Rock, Texas
Updated
James’s Answer
hi amy. i've been a family medicine physician for 25+ years. your question drew my interest because it hit upon a regret i still have about misusing my time in the years before college. but when you're a teenager it's rare to know what you want to do for the rest of your life. and rarer still to know how best to prepare for that.
i'm pleased that you have some idea about what might give you an edge compared to other med school candidates. i also liked the previous respondent's comments. fortunately, there are as many good options as there are candidates, and the bottom line is that you just need to be doing something that might be helpful in your future career path.
now, for my answer/opinion.
i think that at your point in the journey one of the best areas to focus on is communication. you're soon going to be inundated with information. both understanding and imparting that information can be improved through better communication skills.
that can take several forms. for instance, to help you communicate better with colleagues it could mean learning clinical medical jargon. or jargon used in research or statistics.
Alternatively, to help you communicate better with patients it could mean learning a second language. or it could mean learning how to communicate empathy with your words. or convey your competence.
Ideally, a chosen experience would sharpen your communication skills in each of those areas.
the reason i say that i regret my own choices during this time period is that i chose not to do anything at all that could have been seen as useful to my future path. i spent that summer playing board games with friends, golfing, watching movies, as well haphazardly applying for advertised jobs.
again, you're on the right track. in fact, i'd say you're way, way ahead of the crowd.
and, to reiterate, there are lots and lots of excellent options.
good luck!
seek out upper level medical residents. they usually will have more available time than interns. ask them to suggest jobs or reading topics. ask to return to them for brief, regular visits. maybe set your cell phone alarm to prevent going over time.
schedule information interviews with 1) college pre-med counselors, 2) med school admissions interviewers, 3) Neuroscience practitioners, 4) ancillary personnel (people who work with neuroscience practitioners).
research whether there are any programs available for teens like you who are interested in going into medicine.
i'm pleased that you have some idea about what might give you an edge compared to other med school candidates. i also liked the previous respondent's comments. fortunately, there are as many good options as there are candidates, and the bottom line is that you just need to be doing something that might be helpful in your future career path.
now, for my answer/opinion.
i think that at your point in the journey one of the best areas to focus on is communication. you're soon going to be inundated with information. both understanding and imparting that information can be improved through better communication skills.
that can take several forms. for instance, to help you communicate better with colleagues it could mean learning clinical medical jargon. or jargon used in research or statistics.
Alternatively, to help you communicate better with patients it could mean learning a second language. or it could mean learning how to communicate empathy with your words. or convey your competence.
Ideally, a chosen experience would sharpen your communication skills in each of those areas.
the reason i say that i regret my own choices during this time period is that i chose not to do anything at all that could have been seen as useful to my future path. i spent that summer playing board games with friends, golfing, watching movies, as well haphazardly applying for advertised jobs.
again, you're on the right track. in fact, i'd say you're way, way ahead of the crowd.
and, to reiterate, there are lots and lots of excellent options.
good luck!
James recommends the following next steps:
Thank you so much!
Amy
bob wang
Software Engineer
4
Answers
San Jose, California
Updated
bob’s Answer
Hi Amy,
I'm seeing a lot of answers here to work on certifications/take courses but my personal 2 cents is that you should take the time to relax!
You have many, many more years of school in the future, and each of those summers will be jam-packed with studying, working, or conducting research. As a graduated senior, consider spending the time with your high school friends since this may the last time you see some of them in a while.
You can also devote the time to explore new hobbies and interests! College is an entirely different beast from high school, so ensure you're prepared for it.
Hope this helps, and good luck!
I'm seeing a lot of answers here to work on certifications/take courses but my personal 2 cents is that you should take the time to relax!
You have many, many more years of school in the future, and each of those summers will be jam-packed with studying, working, or conducting research. As a graduated senior, consider spending the time with your high school friends since this may the last time you see some of them in a while.
You can also devote the time to explore new hobbies and interests! College is an entirely different beast from high school, so ensure you're prepared for it.
Hope this helps, and good luck!
Thank you so much for the advice.
Amy
Pamela Neff
Gynecologist
38
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Pamela’s Answer
Amy,
The answers above are great, and very thorough. Here are some other ideas:
- get your BLS and ACLS certifications if you don’t already have them
- work on becoming proficient in a second language, preferably via a volunteer opportunity in an immersion program - there are lots of medical and nonmedical missions that travel to underserved areas
- take time to explore your own interests in a way that also allows you to help others - volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels, cooking in a shelter, or resourcing a local food pantry not only look great on applications but are great for your soul ;)
Hope this was helpful!
Pam
The answers above are great, and very thorough. Here are some other ideas:
- get your BLS and ACLS certifications if you don’t already have them
- work on becoming proficient in a second language, preferably via a volunteer opportunity in an immersion program - there are lots of medical and nonmedical missions that travel to underserved areas
- take time to explore your own interests in a way that also allows you to help others - volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels, cooking in a shelter, or resourcing a local food pantry not only look great on applications but are great for your soul ;)
Hope this was helpful!
Pam
I appreciate your support, Pamela
Amy
Inga Weizman
product marketing
4
Answers
Denver, Colorado
Updated
Inga’s Answer
The path you're taking will require a lot of hard work, I recommend taking time off and traveling rather than taking classes and working. I think it will give you time to explore other cultures and yourself and get exposure to things you've never thought about.
Thank you, Inga for the advice.
Amy