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How do I become the best medical school applicant while in college?

I want to know how to start building my resume while in college, and gain acceptance into a medical school that can tailor to my needs and strengths.

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James’s Answer

There is no one right answer to your question. The basics are that you must get excellent grades that include pre-requisite courses (check with several medical schools to assure you have these covered) that usually include calculus, physics, chemistry, organic chemistry, and biology (cellular and organismal). Beyond that, most schools want to see well-rounded applicants that show that you are multi-dimensional in your talents. They prefer to see evidence of leadership skills, so being a team captain, school officer, or other type of leader (someone who organizes a volunteer activity...) is good. Communication is a key factor to success as a physician, so things like writing, debate, or public speaking could help. Do be sure to do things that you enjoy, rather than just trying to check boxes. Pursuing art, theater, music, sports... are all good. You always need to think about how to be a happy, healthy person. Volunteering for groups that help others with the social determinants of health, such as housing, food, nature stewardship... is a plus.
As expensive as college is, education generally only becomes more expensive over time, so while you are in college is a wonderful time to explore studies you may not associate with medicine. I enjoyed anthropology, forestry, and music classes.
Everything I just said will prepare you for any number of professions, not just medicine. Keep your options open and enjoy the journey.
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Rita’s Answer

I'm never quite sure what the medical schools are looking at but usually, you will need to have excellent grades, excellent MCAT scores, and be in some extracurricular activities. I believe they want to see that you are devoted to medicine. I've given this advice several times. I would work as a medical scribe. I think it's more difficult because of AI but if you can, I would do it for several reasons. First, they pay you but that is not important. Second, you get to interact with physicians, see them interact with patients, learn the language, and see how doctors think. This will make medical school so much easier. Medical school was very hard for me. It's the volume of information that needs to be memorized and if you can get a head start, it will make your life easier. When I was a preceptor, the medical students that had scribed for 2 years before going into medical school were just faster and sharper because they had the experience. It also lets you know if you really want to be in medicine. It's not an easy job. It's a job that requires thinking, long hours, dealing with difficult patients. Patients use to be more respectful and lately, they have been demanding and mean. I don't think it's just in medicine. People are mean and how are you going to deal with this? Are you sensitive? Will you just let it go?
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