1 answer
Armani
Student
Madisonville, Louisiana
1
Question
Updated
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As a college freshman, what classes, extracurriculars, and experiences should I focus on early to stay on track for medical school and a future career in anesthesiology #Spring26?
I am a college freshman at Louisiana State University (LSU) on a pre-med track with the goal of becoming an anesthesiologist. I am focused on building a strong foundation early and making the most of opportunities at LSU and in the surrounding medical community. I am especially interested in gaining clinical experience, getting involved in research, and choosing meaningful extracurriculars that will strengthen my medical school application. I would appreciate advice on what I should prioritize during my freshman year to stay on track and stand out as a future applicant.
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1 answer
Elyse Crotty
Certified Surgical Technologist
80
Answers
Jacksonville, Florida
Updated
Elyse’s Answer
Freshman Course Strategy at LSU
- Science Prerequisites: Focus on General Chemistry (CHEM 1201/1202) and Biology (BIOL 1201/1202) with labs. Keep your science GPA at 3.7+.
- Physics & Math: Take Calculus or Statistics early. Anesthesiology requires a strong grasp of fluid dynamics, pressure gradients, and drug math equations.
- Protect Your GPA: Do not overload your schedule. Use LSU's Center for Academic Success (CAS) for free tutoring if your grades dip.
Targeted Anesthesiology Clinical Experiences
- Anesthesia Tech / Scribe: Look for per-diem or summer roles at Our Lady of the Lake (OLOL) Regional Medical Center or Baton Rouge General.
- Shadow an Anesthesiologist or CRNA: Secure 20-50 hours observing OR setups, intubations, and nerve blocks to prove you understand the daily workflow.
- Hospital Volunteering: Join volunteer programs at the LSU Student Health Center or local emergency departments to build patient-contact hours.
High-Impact Research Opportunities
- LSU Biomedical Research: Apply to labs within the LSU Department of Biological Sciences or the Pennington Biomedical Research Center.
- Focus Areas: Seek out pharmacology, physiology, or neuroscience labs. Anesthesiology centers deeply on drug mechanisms and brain state alteration.
- Start with Basics: Offer to manage inventory or prep solutions to get your foot in the door during your second semester or upcoming summer.
Extracurriculars & Leadership
- Join LSU Pre-Med Clubs: Get active in the Alpha Epsilon Delta (AED) Pre-Health Honor Society or the LSU Pre-Medical Society for peer networking and mentorship.
- Crisis/Stress Volunteering: Work with crisis hotlines or local EMT squads. Anesthesiologists manage high-stress crises; showing emotional control under pressure stands out.
- Consistent Community Service: Choose one non-medical volunteer cause (e.g., local food banks or youth tutoring) and stick with it for all four years.
- Science Prerequisites: Focus on General Chemistry (CHEM 1201/1202) and Biology (BIOL 1201/1202) with labs. Keep your science GPA at 3.7+.
- Physics & Math: Take Calculus or Statistics early. Anesthesiology requires a strong grasp of fluid dynamics, pressure gradients, and drug math equations.
- Protect Your GPA: Do not overload your schedule. Use LSU's Center for Academic Success (CAS) for free tutoring if your grades dip.
Targeted Anesthesiology Clinical Experiences
- Anesthesia Tech / Scribe: Look for per-diem or summer roles at Our Lady of the Lake (OLOL) Regional Medical Center or Baton Rouge General.
- Shadow an Anesthesiologist or CRNA: Secure 20-50 hours observing OR setups, intubations, and nerve blocks to prove you understand the daily workflow.
- Hospital Volunteering: Join volunteer programs at the LSU Student Health Center or local emergency departments to build patient-contact hours.
High-Impact Research Opportunities
- LSU Biomedical Research: Apply to labs within the LSU Department of Biological Sciences or the Pennington Biomedical Research Center.
- Focus Areas: Seek out pharmacology, physiology, or neuroscience labs. Anesthesiology centers deeply on drug mechanisms and brain state alteration.
- Start with Basics: Offer to manage inventory or prep solutions to get your foot in the door during your second semester or upcoming summer.
Extracurriculars & Leadership
- Join LSU Pre-Med Clubs: Get active in the Alpha Epsilon Delta (AED) Pre-Health Honor Society or the LSU Pre-Medical Society for peer networking and mentorship.
- Crisis/Stress Volunteering: Work with crisis hotlines or local EMT squads. Anesthesiologists manage high-stress crises; showing emotional control under pressure stands out.
- Consistent Community Service: Choose one non-medical volunteer cause (e.g., local food banks or youth tutoring) and stick with it for all four years.