pre medical internships for undergraduates

One of the best ways to decide if a career in medicine is right for you is to conduct your own research.

One of the best ways to decide if a career in medicine is right for you is to conduct your own research. One of the best ways to conduct your own research is to follow your curiosity. What do you want to know? If you’re not sure, try taking a page out of Google’s book: ask questions. Learn about the people who work in medicine and health, and then ask them more questions. There are plenty of great resources on the internet, but nothing can replace real face time with someone who does what you’re thinking about doing for 40+ hours a week.

Once you’ve discovered what it is that you want to know, it’s time to look for opportunities that will help you learn about yourself and medicine at the same time. Volunteering or shadowing can be an excellent way to get exposure in different medical specialties and gain valuable insight into the lives of those who work within them. Asking if there are volunteer opportunities available at a hospital or clinic that interests you may be all it takes to kick off this process!

If volunteering or shadowing isn’t something that interests you or something that’s readily available in your area, don’t worry—there are many other options available as well! Many undergraduate institutions offer classes related to healthcare professions (e.g., anatomy & physiology) as well as unique internship opportunities where students can explore different areas of interest within healthcare settings (e.g., pharmacy internships). Some programs even provide specialized instruction leading up to clinical rotations during which students observe doctors interacting with patients in hospitals and clinics!

The following organizations and internship programs in the field of health and medicine offer valuable opportunities for undergraduate applicants.

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Pre-Medical Internships at Mayo Clinic

Medical Internships at the Mayo Clinic are open to undergraduate students who are planning to apply to medical school. This is a competitive program, so you’ll want to do your best. One of the requirements is that you have a 3.2 GPA minimum, and you’ll likely be asked about your involvement in extracurricular activities as well as research experience or leadership roles on your application.

The internship is for 10 weeks during the summer, and it’s based in Rochester, Minnesota. You won’t need any previous experience working in a clinical setting or conducting research; however, it can definitely improve your chances if you’ve been involved with some kind of scientific research before applying.

You can submit your application online through their website; early applications are highly recommended, because many people from all over the country apply for this program every year. If you’re accepted into the Mayo Clinic Pre-Professional Summer Program for Medical Education, then you’ll be paid a stipend throughout the entire internship period. You’re responsible for finding and paying for your own housing while completing the internship; however, there will be information on finding temporary housing available once you receive acceptance into the program.

Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program

The Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program is administered by the National Institute of Health (NIH). Their goal is to increase the pool of highly trained biomedical, behavioral and clinical researchers. Students in this program will have an opportunity to conduct research at one of NIH’s research facilities and collaborate with their mentors on a range of research projects.

Each year, over 200 students are placed at NIH to participate in cutting edge medical research. The program has a few key goals:

• Promote the development of competitive students for future careers in biomedical, behavioral, social and clinical sciences
• Provide training and experiences that complement academic programs
• Stimulate interest in scientific disciplines that contribute to improving human health

Summer Medical and Dental Education Program (SMDEP)

If you’re a college freshman or sophomore who is interested in preparing for medical school, this six-week academic enrichment program at six sites around the country may be right for you. It’s open to students of all backgrounds who have a GPA of 2.8 or higher and are eligible for federal financial aid.

This program consists of daily lectures and labs in organic chemistry, biology, physics, biochemistry, calculus and statistics as well as workshops on test taking strategies and stress management. Students also receive one-on-one mentoring from medical school faculty as well other professionals in the medical field such as doctors and dentists.

Sustainability, Health and the Environment Pre-Medical Internship Program

The Sustainability, Health and the Environment Pre-Medical Internship Program provides a comprehensive summer experience for students interested in health, medicine, and the environment. Students will have the opportunity to participate in cutting-edge research within our college and with collaborators at other universities. Students will also shadow physicians, visit clinics and hospitals, and attend events that focus on issues of health equity and social justice. This hands on experience will provide you with terrific insight into how your interests could be applied to make a difference in communities around the world!

Pre-Med Internship at UChicago Medicine Center for Care and Discovery

Pre-med interns at UChicago Medicine Center for Care and Discovery will work on a research project with a faculty member. Interns will attend weekly lectures, seminars and workshops on topics related to clinical medicine. During the summer, participants will write a research paper and present their paper to the group.

Additional Benefits:

• Choose from an array of exciting electives
• Experience hands-on clinical practice in simulated patient settings
• Gain exposure to innovative medical technologies

Global Health Leadership Fellowship

The Global Health Leadership Fellowship is a great opportunity for undergraduates to gain medical experience abroad. The application process is competitive because it’s a paid position and only open to students in the Boston area, but if you’re interested in gaining leadership skills and working in global medicine, then this program might be right for you. The fellowship is only one year long, but the short time commitment makes it an ideal option for pre-medical students who hope to attend summer programs or pursue other interests during their junior and senior years of college.