Janice Lozano
Premed students can pursue internships in the healthcare field to gain valuable hands-on experience and explore potential career paths. Clinical internships, for example, allow premeds to work in hospitals, clinics, or private practices, offering insights into various medical specialties. Research internships provide experience in medical research, with tasks like data analysis and lab work. Premed internships are often competitive, requiring early applications. Students can also consider jobs or volunteer work that develop core competencies sought in medical students, such as teamwork and communication skills. The ideal time to intern is during the summer break, with applications due in the early spring semester.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Gain experience and exposure to the medical field |
| Benefits | Hands-on experience, exploration of the medical field, valuable for medical school applications |
| Types of internships | Clinical, research, public health, specialty-specific |
| Example internships | Scribes, CNA, MA, EMT, clinical research, cancer research, community outreach, pediatric hospital |
| Timing | Deadlines often in January or February, start looking during winter break |
| Work hours | 40 hours per week, including shadowing or volunteering |
| Application process | Essays, reflection on interest in medicine, motivation, and goals |
| Additional considerations | Cost of training programs, difficulty balancing long work shifts and school |
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What You'll Learn
Clinical internships
Many pre-med students seek clinical internships that offer hands-on patient care experience, allowing them to confirm their interest in medicine and build a strong profile for their medical school applications. These internships can be found in larger hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare agencies. Some pre-med students also opt for abroad programs, although these should be carefully considered as some may do more harm than good.
To find clinical internships, pre-med students can start by researching the websites of local healthcare agencies, including hospitals, clinics, and public health departments, for internship listings. They can also seek guidance from their pre-health advisor on campus, who can provide information on feasible opportunities within the community. Additionally, students can leverage university networks, such as the premed/prehealth advising offices, to explore local internship opportunities.
Some universities, such as Georgetown University School of Medicine, offer clinical internships with deadlines typically falling around February. These programs often provide clinical experience alongside guided research and community-based learning. Other universities mentioned for their pre-med summer internships include the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, and UCLA.
It is important for pre-med students to start their internship search early, as many opportunities have deadlines in January or February, and selections are usually made by April. Additionally, students should reflect on their interests and goals to find an internship that aligns with their passions. While prestige is a factor, it is more important to find an internship that offers meaningful experiences and contributes to their long-term goals.
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Research internships
As a pre-med student, you can gain valuable experience through summer internships in a research setting. Research internships can provide you with the opportunity to step out of your comfort zone, take on greater responsibility, and enjoy scholarly freedom. They also allow you to make connections with esteemed people at universities and secure future research and clinical positions. Additionally, many programs offer the chance to present at conferences, co-author published papers, or lead projects.
When looking for research internships, consider your passions and interests. It is important to find an internship that aligns with your interests and allows you to accomplish and contribute meaningfully. You can look for internships at local colleges and universities by reaching out to faculty members whose work interests you. If you can afford to work without pay, consider volunteering as a researcher. Send a professional email expressing your interest and attach your resume. Local medical schools and colleges may also offer funded summer undergraduate research programs.
There are various research internship opportunities available for pre-med students. For example, the Summer Undergraduate Research Program at Gerstner Sloan-Kettering Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences allows undergraduates and post-baccalaureate pre-med students to perform hands-on research in cutting-edge biomedical research laboratories and work with mentors at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. The program lasts ten weeks, and participants receive a stipend and housing.
Another example is the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, which offers a summer internship with a February 19th deadline. This internship provides undergraduate students with an introduction to current radiological sciences research. The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) also offers a summer internship with a February 3rd deadline. This internship involves spending ten weeks working with faculty members on research projects, as well as participating in seminars, lectures, and social events.
In addition to these opportunities, many other universities and organizations offer research internships specifically for pre-med students. These internships can provide valuable experience and help strengthen your medical school applications.
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Public health internships
Premed students often seek internships to gain experience in the medical field and bolster their medical school applications. Deadlines for summer internships are often in January or February, so it is advisable to start looking for opportunities during the winter break.
Another option is the Mayo Clinic, which offers internships in various fields, including public affairs, biomedical statistics, and informatics. The Medical Immersion Summer Academy (MISA) in Oakland, California, is a 5-day program that provides hands-on skills training, mentorship, and clinical immersion.
Additionally, nursing internships during high school can provide invaluable exposure and experience, offering guidance on pursuing a healthcare job from professionals already in the field. The National Student Leadership Conference on Medicine & Health Care is a 9-day residential summer program that provides a glimpse of all aspects of the medical field through interactive lectures and small group workshops.
When considering public health internships, it is important to reflect on your interests and goals. Do you want hands-on patient care experience, or are you more interested in research? Do you want to address a specific social issue, and do you want to stay near home or explore a new place? These are all important factors to think about when deciding on the right internship for you.
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Summer internships
When considering a summer internship, it is important for pre-med students to reflect on their interests and goals. Do you want hands-on patient care experience? Are you interested in research or addressing a specific social issue? Do you want to intern abroad or stay closer to home? Answering these questions can help guide your search for the perfect summer internship.
There are numerous organisations and institutions that offer summer internships specifically for pre-med students. For example, International Medical Aid offers summer programs in East Africa, South America, and the Caribbean, providing on-the-ground experience and alumni support. University programs, such as those offered by UCLA, UCSF, UCSD, and the University of Colorado, often have summer research opportunities and academic enrichment curricula.
Additionally, pre-med students can explore internships at hospitals, clinics, or research institutions. These internships may involve shadowing physicians, working as medical scribes, or assisting in laboratories. It is worth checking local healthcare agencies and universities for summer internship listings.
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Gap year internships
Taking a gap year can be a great opportunity for premed students to gain valuable experience in the medical field, explore different areas of medicine, and strengthen their medical school applications. Many gap year internship programs offer clinical experience, research opportunities, and patient interaction, which can provide a strong foundation for a career in medicine.
Northwestern Medicine Pre-Med Gap Year Internship Program
The Northwestern Medicine Pre-Med Gap Year Internship Program is a 13-month, paid, benefits-eligible role that offers a comprehensive experience for pre-medicine students. Interns are placed in clinical environments, where they work, conduct research, and participate in faculty-led lectures. They also get to be part of a network of other pre-med students and work alongside knowledgeable clinicians.
Project Horseshoe Farm Fellowship
The Project Horseshoe Farm Fellowship is a 13-month gap year opportunity for students interested in grassroots efforts in healthcare and medicine. Fellows live and work together in Marion, Alabama, or Pomona, California, focusing on community involvement, service to vulnerable populations, non-profit management, and gaining first-hand knowledge of healthcare systems. This program includes housing and a $600 monthly stipend.
Rural Premedical Internship Program
The Rural Premedical Internship Program at Michigan State Medical School is a unique summer experience for premed students interested in rural medicine. The program includes 40 hours of physician shadowing, 12 hours of rural community service, and group sessions with other interns, providing a well-rounded introduction to rural medicine and enhancing medical school applications.
Other Opportunities
In addition to structured gap year programs, premed students can explore various other internship opportunities during their time off. Many hospitals and healthcare organizations offer internships or scribe positions, allowing students to gain clinical experience and work closely with doctors.
Some premed students may also choose to pursue international internships or volunteer work during their gap year. It is important to carefully research and select reputable programs, as some international opportunities may not provide the expected benefits or may even be harmful.
Planning and Preparation
When considering a gap year internship, premed students should start their search early and spend time reflecting on their interests, goals, and expectations. They should also be mindful of application deadlines, which are often as early as January or February for summer internships. Additionally, students can seek guidance from pre-health advisors or career development centers to identify meaningful gap year experiences that align with their career goals.
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Frequently asked questions
There are clinical internships, research internships, and public health internships. Clinical internships take place in healthcare settings such as hospitals, clinics, or private practices. Research internships involve working with professors or researchers on scientific projects. Public health internships occur in government agencies, non-profit organizations, or community health centers.
One example of a clinical internship is shadowing an oncologist at a cancer center. A research internship example is joining a laboratory focused on cancer research. An example of a public health internship is collaborating with a local health department on a community outreach program.
Pre-med internships provide students with valuable hands-on experience and exposure to the medical field. They allow students to explore different careers in medicine without committing. Internships also provide real-life experience with patients and healthcare settings, which can be beneficial for medical school applications.
Many internships have deadlines in January or February, so it is recommended to start looking during your winter break. This will give you enough time to write any essays needed for applications that are due in the spring semester.
