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Engaging In Summer Experiences

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Summer Opportunities - Merrillville ...

Make This Summer Count!

Summer is a wonderful time to explore your interest in the health professions while gaining rich and meaningful experiences. Whether you’re looking to enhance your clinical exposure, build research skills, serve your community, or strengthen your academic foundation, there are countless opportunities available to help you achieve your goals. There’s no single “right” type of summer activity—it’s important to consider what fits best with your goals and interests. Use this time to solidify your passions or explore opportunities you may not have time to pursue during the school year. And allow these opportunities to help you further develop and strengthen the Pre-Medical Competencies that health professional graduate programs seek in their future students.

Remember, summer experiences often become powerful stories for applications, so think about how they can provide you with meaningful insights to share and reflect on. Check out AAMC's Plan to Make the Most of your Summer-Now  or Six Ways to Make the Most of Your Summer. 

We recognize this can be an overwhelming process, so in an effort to help you explore these opportunities, we have created the Summer 2025 Opportunities Guide!  Check it out along with our most frequently asked questions listed below. 

Embrace the summertime- a time to grow! 

 

Our Program's Summer Opportunities Guide!{expander}

Click here to access our Summer 2025 Opportunities Guide!

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Click here to view our Summer Opportunities Guide for Summer 2024! 

When should I start looking for Summer Experiences?{expander}

Many summer programs open their applications in the late fall - early winter and post application deadlines in early winter (e.g. January/February). As such, Thanksgiving break is a wonderful opportunity to begin considering where you wish to spend your summer and what type of program(s) you wish to engage in. Given many applications close in the late winter - early spring (January to March), starting your search early will ensure you have enough time to prepare and not miss out on a great opportunity!

Check out the due date tab on our summer opportunities guide, which can help you prioritize which applications to work on first!

Letters of Recommendation{expander}

Some summer programs require a letter(s) of recommendation from a professor, advisor, and/or supervisor. 

Here are some tips for requesting a letter of recommendation:

  1. Ask Early! It is best practice to ask your letter writer(s) at least one month in advance of the application deadline so that they have ample time to write your letter. If you are using the letter for multiple applications, it is best to provide your writer(s) with a list of the programs, submission information and/or link, and the deadline to submit. You should plan to follow-up with your letter writer and send reminders as the deadline approaches.
  2. Choose Wisely! Select letter writer(s) that know you well and can speak positively to your strengths. In fact, we always recommend asking the potential letter writer if they can write you a strong letter of recommendation. 

2025 Summer Science & Summer Psychology Research Programs Internship and Externship Programs{expander}

Interested in conducing research at Sarah Lawrence with faculty in the natural sciences, mathematics, or psychology? Be sure to check out the Summer Science and Psychology research program - with an information session at the end of January and applications due in mid-February. This is a great place to dip your toes in the world of scientific research, while being surrounded by your fellow students and supportive SLC faculty! If you have any questions, feel free to email Merideth Frey (mfrey@sarahlawrence.edu). Applications will open in January and will be due February 14th. More details to come!

Click here for the MySLC Summer Science Program Page

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