What extracurricular activities do medical school want to see on my application?

Hello Rachel: Here are a few links to help you with extracurricular activities that medical schools look for. Some of these areas you may want to start participating in while in high school and then in college.

*Leadership

*Community Service / Volunteerism

*Research

*Physician Shadowing

*Patient Exposure

My response is from a mother's perspective based on my son is a second year resident Pediatrician. Believe it or not, he did participate in these kinds of activities and more listed above. Example: At his high school, they offered a Medical Explorers Program, which he participated. Each month he and a team of Explorers (ie, students accepted in the program) would visit the local hospital and shadow doctors for approximately two (2) hours making rounds to all areas of the hospital for that session. In college, he did research with a Professor in the lab. .  .

Here's the good news. You can do this too by researching the resources to help assist you. Start by checking with your Guidance Counselor, Church Youth department, etc. Your time is precious so please choose your activities wisely and make it count.  You can do this. :)

Source:

https://www.shemmassianconsulting.com/blog/how-to-choose-extracurricular-activities-medical-school

https://www.shemmassianconsulting.com/blog/2015/6/28/trust-me-im-applying-to-become-a-doctor-part-iii-impressing-with-your-work-activities-section

Good Luck to You!

Any school will want to see that you are well-rounded, rather than just focusing on getting good grades and getting into medical school. So do what you are passionate about. I did student government, theater, soccer and dance.