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Salvador
Student
England, England, United Kingdom
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What types of extracurricular activities during undergrad (pre-med), would make one stand out for medical school?
I wish to know what types of activities I would be expecting to do during my undergrad on top of my classes in the oncoming years. #doctorate-degree #science-phd
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4 answers
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity.
3624
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Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Dear Salvadore,
How to Excel in Extracurricular Activities for a Competitive Edge in Medical School Applications as a Pre-Med Undergrad
To shine in your medical school applications during your undergraduate years, it's crucial to participate in diverse extracurricular activities. These activities should reflect your dedication to the medical profession, your leadership prowess, and your capacity to juggle academic pursuits with other commitments. Here are some extracurricular activities you can engage in to make your application stand out:
Clinical Exposure: By volunteering or working in clinical environments like hospitals, clinics, or nursing homes, you can gain practical experience and a deeper understanding of the healthcare industry. This experience underscores your commitment to aiding others and offers a glimpse into the daily tasks of healthcare professionals.
Research Involvement: Participating in research projects, whether in medicine or related scientific fields, can highlight your analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, and eagerness to contribute to medical advancements. You can gain research experience through university labs, summer programs, or internships at research institutions.
Community Service: Engaging in community service not only shows your dedication to helping others but also enhances your interpersonal skills and empathy. Volunteering with underserved communities, health education programs, or fundraising for medical charities can all be rewarding experiences that reflect your commitment to societal betterment.
Leadership Positions: Assuming leadership roles in student organizations, clubs, or volunteer groups can demonstrate your teamwork, effective communication, and ability to guide others towards shared objectives. Roles such as club president, event coordinator, or team leader can showcase your organizational skills and initiative.
Shadowing Healthcare Professionals: Observing physicians and other healthcare professionals can help you understand different specialties, the practical realities of medical practice, and the various career trajectories in the healthcare industry. This exposure can affirm your interest in a medical career and offer valuable insights for your future learning.
Extracurricular Clubs and Activities: Participating in clubs related to healthcare, science, or community service can indicate your enthusiasm for the field and your readiness to exceed basic academic expectations. Joining clubs like pre-med societies, health advocacy groups, or student-run clinics can offer networking opportunities and cultivate relationships with like-minded individuals.
Teaching and Tutoring: Involvement in teaching or tutoring activities can highlight your communication skills, patience, and ability to simplify complex ideas. Teaching others not only strengthens your grasp of the subject matter but also shows your dedication to helping others excel acadically.
By actively engaging in these extracurricular activities during your undergraduate years, you can boost your medical school application and prove to admissions committees that you have the qualities and experiences to thrive in a rigorous medical program.
Top 3 Credible Sources Used:
Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC): The AAMC offers useful resources and guidelines for aspiring medical students on preparing for medical school admissions, including suggestions for extracurricular activities that enhance an applicant's profile.
Khan Academy - Preparing for Medical School: Khan Academy provides insights into various aspects of preparing for medical school, including tips on extracurricular activities that can boost an applicant's competitiveness during the admissions process.
U.S. News & World Report - Medical School Admissions Guide: U.S. News & World Report’s comprehensive guide on medical school admissions includes advice on building a robust application profile through extracurricular participation and other relevant experiences.
GOD BLESS!
James Constantine.
How to Excel in Extracurricular Activities for a Competitive Edge in Medical School Applications as a Pre-Med Undergrad
To shine in your medical school applications during your undergraduate years, it's crucial to participate in diverse extracurricular activities. These activities should reflect your dedication to the medical profession, your leadership prowess, and your capacity to juggle academic pursuits with other commitments. Here are some extracurricular activities you can engage in to make your application stand out:
Clinical Exposure: By volunteering or working in clinical environments like hospitals, clinics, or nursing homes, you can gain practical experience and a deeper understanding of the healthcare industry. This experience underscores your commitment to aiding others and offers a glimpse into the daily tasks of healthcare professionals.
Research Involvement: Participating in research projects, whether in medicine or related scientific fields, can highlight your analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, and eagerness to contribute to medical advancements. You can gain research experience through university labs, summer programs, or internships at research institutions.
Community Service: Engaging in community service not only shows your dedication to helping others but also enhances your interpersonal skills and empathy. Volunteering with underserved communities, health education programs, or fundraising for medical charities can all be rewarding experiences that reflect your commitment to societal betterment.
Leadership Positions: Assuming leadership roles in student organizations, clubs, or volunteer groups can demonstrate your teamwork, effective communication, and ability to guide others towards shared objectives. Roles such as club president, event coordinator, or team leader can showcase your organizational skills and initiative.
Shadowing Healthcare Professionals: Observing physicians and other healthcare professionals can help you understand different specialties, the practical realities of medical practice, and the various career trajectories in the healthcare industry. This exposure can affirm your interest in a medical career and offer valuable insights for your future learning.
Extracurricular Clubs and Activities: Participating in clubs related to healthcare, science, or community service can indicate your enthusiasm for the field and your readiness to exceed basic academic expectations. Joining clubs like pre-med societies, health advocacy groups, or student-run clinics can offer networking opportunities and cultivate relationships with like-minded individuals.
Teaching and Tutoring: Involvement in teaching or tutoring activities can highlight your communication skills, patience, and ability to simplify complex ideas. Teaching others not only strengthens your grasp of the subject matter but also shows your dedication to helping others excel acadically.
By actively engaging in these extracurricular activities during your undergraduate years, you can boost your medical school application and prove to admissions committees that you have the qualities and experiences to thrive in a rigorous medical program.
Top 3 Credible Sources Used:
Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC): The AAMC offers useful resources and guidelines for aspiring medical students on preparing for medical school admissions, including suggestions for extracurricular activities that enhance an applicant's profile.
Khan Academy - Preparing for Medical School: Khan Academy provides insights into various aspects of preparing for medical school, including tips on extracurricular activities that can boost an applicant's competitiveness during the admissions process.
U.S. News & World Report - Medical School Admissions Guide: U.S. News & World Report’s comprehensive guide on medical school admissions includes advice on building a robust application profile through extracurricular participation and other relevant experiences.
GOD BLESS!
James Constantine.
Elizabeth (Lizzie) Siegle
Developer Evangelist
11
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Elizabeth (Lizzie)’s Answer
I wasn't pre-med, but I had friends who were. It seemed like everyone tried to volunteer at a hospital, be a TA for their classes (especially biology and chemistry), mentor students, tutor students, do research with professors or intern in a lab, or submit papers to conferences...I think to really stand out, you could do something unrelated to science like write for the school paper, play a club sport, or volunteer with senior citizens.
As a computer science major, I wrote for the school newspaper. Not many STEM people did that and it taught me about writing--I like to think that made me stand out from other computer science majors on my resume.
As a computer science major, I wrote for the school newspaper. Not many STEM people did that and it taught me about writing--I like to think that made me stand out from other computer science majors on my resume.
Stefanie Wernisch
Researcher
4
Answers
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Updated
Stefanie’s Answer
Volunteering at a local hospital or other healthcare facilities is always highly regarded. So is mentoring younger students, either through your school or your community.
If you are thinking about a research career, participate in an undergraduate research opportunity program at your college or look for summer internships in research labs. Participating in research outreach activities ("science to public inititatives") is also a good way to get involved, stand out from other applicants and get letters of recommendation from scientists.
If you are thinking about a research career, participate in an undergraduate research opportunity program at your college or look for summer internships in research labs. Participating in research outreach activities ("science to public inititatives") is also a good way to get involved, stand out from other applicants and get letters of recommendation from scientists.
Estelle Archer
Gynecologist
1322
Answers
United States
Updated
Estelle’s Answer
Hi, Salvador,
My sons are in medical school. Their most valuable activities for their applications were medical mission trips that we took during their college years. They not only got great experience with the practice of medicine in third world countries, but they also had interesting conversations during their interviews. Another valuable experience was scribing for practitioners at a local clinic. Scribing helped them understand electronic medical records and develop their medical vocabulary.
Good luck to you!
My sons are in medical school. Their most valuable activities for their applications were medical mission trips that we took during their college years. They not only got great experience with the practice of medicine in third world countries, but they also had interesting conversations during their interviews. Another valuable experience was scribing for practitioners at a local clinic. Scribing helped them understand electronic medical records and develop their medical vocabulary.
Good luck to you!