Still others, like Annie Davis, a post-baccalaureate student at the Extension School who graduated from Yale in 1994, says connections are helpful in the search for summer jobs.

Davis initially took a job as a clerical worker at a prominent Boston hospital, but was hired as a medical assistant in the Radiation Oncology Department after she demonstrated initiative and interest. Now, Davis works at the hospital full-time during the summer and part-time during the academic year.

"Anything which gets you in a medical environment will help you eventually," Davis says. "I found that once I got a foot in the door, it's really easy to get more responsibility within the field."

Davis says she also finds out about job opportunities through the Yale alumni association.

The Myth of Competition

Medical school aspirants say the pre-med summer job search is not as competitive as people might think.

Michael Cohen '98 says students don't realize how competitive the jobs they are vying for are during the resume-sending stage because students don't come into direct contact with one other during this time.

Cohen says the work environment of a laboratory is pleasant and non-stressful as well.

"I've found it very friendly and laid-back [in the labs]," he says.

Hahn agrees, explaining that the real competition lies in getting hired by professors or researchers rather than in colleague relations at the laboratory.

Hahn says it is possible that out of 20 applications to 20 different labs, a student will only receive four responses.

Paths to Medical Schools

James E. Davis, senior lecturer and head tutor of the Chemistry Department, says laboratory work can be an excellent and valuable way for some to gain work experience.

But for others, Davis recommends working as a science teaching assistant for a year or two after graduation while doing volunteer work on the side.

Davis emphasizes that there are many paths to medical school. However, he is adamant about the importance of some sort of hospital experience prior to medical school, although it need not necessarily be strictly summer or volunteer work.