5 answers
Sariyah
Student
Sarasota, Florida
1
Question
Updated
787 views
What steps should I take as a Biology pre-med major to prepare for medical school and make the most of my women’s STEM program, especially as a First-generation-African American woman
It has always been my passion to pursue a career in Medicine. As a young adolescence, I have always known that changing the lives of others has been one of my goals in life.
As I enter into my sophomore year in college,
I’m hoping for advice on building strong study habits, finding research or internship opportunities, connecting with mentors, accessing scholarships or support programs, and strengthening my path to medical school.
#fall25
Login to comment
4 answers
James Hanson
Pediatric Intensive Care Physician; Consultant
157
Answers
Oakland, California
Updated
James’s Answer
I am delighted that you have a calling towards the wonderful career of medicine. One does have to self-advocate to get the experiences you are seeking. Inquire at local hospitals to see if they have shadowing or research opportunities. Speak to your professors to get their help in finding opportunities. FSU should have some ideas. I would also speak to the National Medical Association - the largest African American medical society. They have helped many young would-be physicians in my area. If there is not a strong local presence there, speak to the Florida Medical Association. They could probably find a local physician willing to mentor you.
As for "good study habits", yeah, you just have to prioritize getting homework and studying done before other distractions - but do be sure to have a good time and get the good nutrition and sleep you need. Enjoy extracurricular activities.
Good luck!
As for "good study habits", yeah, you just have to prioritize getting homework and studying done before other distractions - but do be sure to have a good time and get the good nutrition and sleep you need. Enjoy extracurricular activities.
Good luck!
Julia Balakleenko
Student Pharmacist
15
Answers
Bradenton, Florida
Updated
Julia’s Answer
Hi Sariyah,
If I can give you one piece of honest advice to take with you, try your best not to let the world take away that passion that you have for medicine.
You sound very passionate about your undergraduate journey to get to medical school as you enter your sophomore year of college. There will be people who may seem like they are rooting for you such as colleagues in undergrad, but they may secretly be competing with you. Although I am pursuing my career in pharmacy, I saw a lot of this among my undergrad peers who were pre-med. This is a big piece of advice that will affect the other kinds of advice you are seeking.
My best advice for you would be to look into which medical schools you are interested in attending. With you starting your sophomore year of undergrad, I promise that it is not too early to get connected with admissions. They sometimes have opportunities for undergrad students to get involved in some workshops, which is an excellent way to build mentorship and relationships with current medical students. I would explore some of the clubs and organizations offered to see if you can join them, or if they might be able to guide you to one that fits you best. For the STEM program you are in now, look for opportunities to gain leadership positions or opportunities to enhance what your program can do. Are you mostly pre-med as STEM? Do you do any kind of volunteering or mentorship?
As far as research or internship opportunities, I would definitely talk to some of your science professors and ask if they are taking any students if they are doing any research; if they aren't involved in research, I am certain that they know someone who is, and will be able to connect you to them. They appreciate students who are self driven. The better your relationship with your professors, the more they get to know you; this is important when it comes time for asking for letters of recommendation for school, but they could also be your network connection to internship or scholarship opportunities that may not be available to other students. This could also be an avenue to connect your STEM program to these professors if they are not already involved.
Uniqueness to your application will make you stand out, so that could be a niche research project or volunteering opportunities. I am sure that you are aware that part of the AAMC / AMCAS application process includes taking the MCAT, but there are also a number of required hours to report for patient care. I would recommend getting some patient related experience; I don't know where you are going for undergrad, but I see that you are located in Sarasota. Look into volunteering at the hospitals near here or near your college/university or getting a patient care tech or medical scribe position to get your foot in the door with these experiences. Jasira also mentioned some good points; you could reach out to physicians to ask if you could shadow them. You may be able to find a mentor this way. Some hospitals are teaching hospitals that may have some kind of program connections to the university/colleges nearby.
As far as study habits go, methods work differently for everyone, but it seems like spaced repetition is a very common winner among them all. This could look like flashcards / anki every day, teaching someone the material, or teachback method. Making the time to actively be focused in the material could be an obstacle for some students, but the library is a great resource for focus -- they can have separate rooms or cubicles where you can commit to focusing your studies. I strongly recommend getting a medical related part time job or volunteering opportunity to help make the real-world connection to the content that you are studying. Some of the foundational stuff might seem difficult to connect to modern practices in medicine, but I promise that this information does compound. An MCAT book can be a great supplemental resource to your study materials to help you see how the information you learn in undergrad goes hand-in-hand with what you will be tested on for your MCAT.
I hope this helps guide you in a good direction -- best of luck!
If I can give you one piece of honest advice to take with you, try your best not to let the world take away that passion that you have for medicine.
You sound very passionate about your undergraduate journey to get to medical school as you enter your sophomore year of college. There will be people who may seem like they are rooting for you such as colleagues in undergrad, but they may secretly be competing with you. Although I am pursuing my career in pharmacy, I saw a lot of this among my undergrad peers who were pre-med. This is a big piece of advice that will affect the other kinds of advice you are seeking.
My best advice for you would be to look into which medical schools you are interested in attending. With you starting your sophomore year of undergrad, I promise that it is not too early to get connected with admissions. They sometimes have opportunities for undergrad students to get involved in some workshops, which is an excellent way to build mentorship and relationships with current medical students. I would explore some of the clubs and organizations offered to see if you can join them, or if they might be able to guide you to one that fits you best. For the STEM program you are in now, look for opportunities to gain leadership positions or opportunities to enhance what your program can do. Are you mostly pre-med as STEM? Do you do any kind of volunteering or mentorship?
As far as research or internship opportunities, I would definitely talk to some of your science professors and ask if they are taking any students if they are doing any research; if they aren't involved in research, I am certain that they know someone who is, and will be able to connect you to them. They appreciate students who are self driven. The better your relationship with your professors, the more they get to know you; this is important when it comes time for asking for letters of recommendation for school, but they could also be your network connection to internship or scholarship opportunities that may not be available to other students. This could also be an avenue to connect your STEM program to these professors if they are not already involved.
Uniqueness to your application will make you stand out, so that could be a niche research project or volunteering opportunities. I am sure that you are aware that part of the AAMC / AMCAS application process includes taking the MCAT, but there are also a number of required hours to report for patient care. I would recommend getting some patient related experience; I don't know where you are going for undergrad, but I see that you are located in Sarasota. Look into volunteering at the hospitals near here or near your college/university or getting a patient care tech or medical scribe position to get your foot in the door with these experiences. Jasira also mentioned some good points; you could reach out to physicians to ask if you could shadow them. You may be able to find a mentor this way. Some hospitals are teaching hospitals that may have some kind of program connections to the university/colleges nearby.
As far as study habits go, methods work differently for everyone, but it seems like spaced repetition is a very common winner among them all. This could look like flashcards / anki every day, teaching someone the material, or teachback method. Making the time to actively be focused in the material could be an obstacle for some students, but the library is a great resource for focus -- they can have separate rooms or cubicles where you can commit to focusing your studies. I strongly recommend getting a medical related part time job or volunteering opportunity to help make the real-world connection to the content that you are studying. Some of the foundational stuff might seem difficult to connect to modern practices in medicine, but I promise that this information does compound. An MCAT book can be a great supplemental resource to your study materials to help you see how the information you learn in undergrad goes hand-in-hand with what you will be tested on for your MCAT.
I hope this helps guide you in a good direction -- best of luck!
Thanks, can't wait to put this advice into action!
Sariyah
Jasira Monique
Senior Technical Consultant
1
Answer
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Jasira’s Answer
Hi Sariyah! Although I'm not in your field, my advice to you would be to shadow professionals who are doing the job you seek to do. Representation absolutely matters and it's important for you to find men or women in STEM who are in the position you seek. Ask professors or other advisors on campus if they know of someone who can assist you make this happen. Also, ask other students who are in medical school to give you a glimpse into their day and ask about the things that they needed to do to prepare themselves for the sacrifice it takes to be in and excel in that role. As you do those things you will find out about habits, mentors and I'm sure internship opportunities and others that help strengthen your path to medical school.
Shadow professionals who are doing the job you seek to do
Find African American men or women in STEM who are in the position you seek, schedule a 30 min meeting
Ask professors or other advisors on campus if they know of someone who can assist you make this happen
Shadow medical students
Jasira recommends the following next steps:
Payal Patel
Cardiology Fellow
5
Answers
Aurora, Colorado
Updated
Payal’s Answer
Hello Sariyah,
First, some practical advice, would make sure you are taking all required classes for medical school admissions, set a tentative date for the MCAT and start thinking of mentors or professors that can write you letter of recommendations. The earliest time you can apply will be in the summer/fall between junior and senior year. I would plan to complete and submit your application Day 1 of the application year, as interviews are offered as applications come in and you want to be one of the first ones. If you need want more time, there is no harm in applying after your senior year.
Having been on a medical school admissions committee, students are typically assessed on GPA/MCAT score, volunteering (medical), research, and leadership. Try to have 1 activity in each category. If finding volunteering opportunities at a hospital is challenging, consider hospice volunteering. For research, contact multiple mentors in your department including your professors.
Shadowing is a great way to get exposure. You can go through a pre-med group on campus or try to contact offices and physicians directly in the field you are interested in.
For study habits, this is individual based but repetition is key. If you are struggling in class, reach out for help early. I received free tutoring for a couple of my classes that set me up for success.
During the process, you may run into hurdles (a difficult class, not hearing back from an opportunity or professor, a challenging research project). Just keep your head high and keep seeking opportunities, they will come :)
Best of luck!🤞
First, some practical advice, would make sure you are taking all required classes for medical school admissions, set a tentative date for the MCAT and start thinking of mentors or professors that can write you letter of recommendations. The earliest time you can apply will be in the summer/fall between junior and senior year. I would plan to complete and submit your application Day 1 of the application year, as interviews are offered as applications come in and you want to be one of the first ones. If you need want more time, there is no harm in applying after your senior year.
Having been on a medical school admissions committee, students are typically assessed on GPA/MCAT score, volunteering (medical), research, and leadership. Try to have 1 activity in each category. If finding volunteering opportunities at a hospital is challenging, consider hospice volunteering. For research, contact multiple mentors in your department including your professors.
Shadowing is a great way to get exposure. You can go through a pre-med group on campus or try to contact offices and physicians directly in the field you are interested in.
For study habits, this is individual based but repetition is key. If you are struggling in class, reach out for help early. I received free tutoring for a couple of my classes that set me up for success.
During the process, you may run into hurdles (a difficult class, not hearing back from an opportunity or professor, a challenging research project). Just keep your head high and keep seeking opportunities, they will come :)
Best of luck!🤞