The following responses were provided by 2nd-time around students only:

• Benefits are way more than negatives. Studying while waiting for experimental results works (as long as my mentor doesn't mind). My mentor gave me some time off for studying 2 weeks before the NBEO and I did most of my last-minute studying then.

• You can definitely do it with good time management.

• YES, but it's almost impossible for me to get research going as planned.

• The financial benefit definitely helped in = meeting the tuition increase this year, but gets very stressful when it came close to Board time.

• This is a similar answer to question #2. I think as long as you can take a good balance of everything, doing research does not harm clinical experience or national board exam at all. It may be depending on the instructor, but my mentor allowed me to take a few weeks off before NBEO for study.

• Yes. My professor was very understanding about having you take time off to juggle studying for the boards, getting experience in clinic, research, and SLEEP!

• The negatives of doing research in parallel with clinical training and studying for the boards; the benefits did indeed outweigh the negatives. The second summer has so much variety that I know I have had a unique experience compared to my peers.

• Although it was a VERY busy summer, I would do it again in my case, because I got a chance to nearly finish my research project which I can use for my OD thesis. Also, it was a good experience to do clinic at another institution. The only negative thing about this summer is that I didn't have as much time as I would like to study for boards (which is okay if I pass boards .. .keeping my fingers crossed). Note: It is very tiresome and exhausting to do research, clinic, and study for boards at the same time, but it's doable if all you do is research, clinic, and study for boards.

• In general, I thought that the benefits outweighed the negatives; I was able to write up the project as my OD Thesis and I gained insight on how different clinics operate. It was a very busy schedule but I would definitely choose to do this all over again.

• Honestly, it was very hectic this summer. Too much going on and not enough time. Everything suffered a little bit: Clinic, Research, Boards. Be realistic in setting summertime goals, don't try and do too much, cause either it won't happen or there will be some serious pain involved.

• The benefits did outweigh the negatives of doing research this summer. The most rewarding aspect was being able to follow through on the project I started last summer. As I mentioned above, the only thing I would change would be to try to pick a clinic schedule that was lighter the second half of summer.

• Definitely! Boards took a whole lot of time to study for. But to state honestly, time spent on studying always comes to a saturation point. I am glad that I had an opportunity to become more acquainted to my advisor and to be able to learn at the same time.

• Absolutely. The first few weeks were strenuous, as I was beginning clinic and getting accustomed to my new routine. Sometimes, I found myself in clinic until late evenings and certainly tired afterwards. My research setting was a welcome, casual atmosphere...quite a refreshing contrast from clinic every week. As for boards, I began studying at the very beginning of summer. I paced myself (studied a bit each night - yes even if I was tired after clinic!) and 2 months later, I felt prepared for the test. For those considering a 2nd summer research experience, I say to you that it can definitely be done. Just be disciplined and do NOT procrastinate for boards.

• Since I was aware of all my obligations this summer, I was prepared to deal with the challenge. I think that I was more organized with my time than I would have been otherwise. Doing research this summer was worth the extra effort.

More comments can be found at:

What was the best part?

What would you do differently?