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What kind of extracurriculars should you do to get into medical school?
I am currently a third-year college student. My major is in Biology with Physiology as concentration. My minor is in Chinese Language. I am fairly confident in my education since my GPA is considerably high, however, I have absolutely no other experience since I have been focusing on my school and GPA. I have never worked once in college because I was blessed to have my parents supporting me through school. However, this meant I did not do any extracurricular activities in college. I have been applying to be a scribe, however, due to scheduling conflicts, I was not qualified. I was wondering if I could do anything while I am still in college. If there are, where or who would I have to contact? #medical-school #medical
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Cherisse’s Answer
Most people believe that extra curricular activities need to be related to your major or career choice. That is not true. Colleges and institutions of higher education are looking for well-rounded students to add diversity to their population. You have the medical side covered, so show potential med schools that you know how to disconnect with yoga, a sport, a hobby, etc. Showing that kind of opposition provides comfort to the school that they are evaluating an even keeled student. Volunteering is also a great extra curricular, especially for med school, as it shows you are a compassionate person. That is an important trait in the medical field. I hope this helps.
Thank you so much for your advice. I was just wondering how I could show potential medical schools that I know how to disconnect with hobbies and sports outside of clubs in college. I was hoping to study abroad in Japan because I love Japanese culture, but due to COVID19, I may not get the chance.
Lin
Yes, with COVID19, it makes hands on volunteering very difficult if possible at all. There are several organizations that provide virtual volunteer opportunities (see below):
All for Good -- https://www.pointsoflight.org/all-for-good/
Catchafire -- https://www.catchafire.org/
Taproot -- https://taprootfoundation.org/
UN Volunteers -- https://www.unv.org/
VolunteerMatch -- https://www.volunteermatch.org/search/virtual
Specifically for Japanese interest, you can check out Social Innovation Japan -- https://medium.com/social-innovation-japan. They may have some virtual options or local groups that assist outside of the country.
Cherisse Marshall-Mungal
Thank you for giving me the links to various opportunities. I will definitely try to find one that fits my interest.
Lin
Updated
Jenna’s Answer
It is important to note that schools look at students who are well rounded. Although your academics is important having activities outside of your studies can be important too. Find activities that will keep you active and give you a different kind of outlet such as music, dance, sports, or hobbies.
Thank you for your advice! I will definitely try to find new activities other than academics.
Lin
Updated
Estelle’s Answer
The most important thing to keep in mind when applying to medical school is how your numbers look. A lot of medical schools have a numerical cut off’s for the MCAT and for GPA. After that, things that show interest and commitment to the field important. This includes research, shadowing, and work experience in the field. Try and talk to current medical students, premed advisors, or young physicians.
Thank you for your advice! I was just wondering if my career goal is to be an obstetrician, then would I need to have an experience that directly relates to an obstetrician?
Lin
No, anything that is related to medicine should do!
Estelle Archer
Updated
Yasemin’s Answer
Hi Lin! So it's great that your GPA is good, that definitely matters! Something my premed adviser and I use to say is the MCAT and GPA are the cake of your application (508+ MCAT and 3.7+ GPA is what gets you into the competitive range- it can change such as a very high GPA can compensate for a lower MCAT score and vice versa) and the extracurriculars (ec) are the sprinkles. Although it may sound simple, it does have a truth to it. It is important to do well on the MCAT and your GPA because without being in the competitive range it will be harder to get your foot into the door for interviews and acceptances. However, your ec activities are also important because medical schools want to see that you are committed to studying medicine by also helping others. I would recommend to volunteer both clinically and non clinically; right now it is hard because of COVID however when things do get better, you can volunteer maybe in a local hospital or nursing home. Clinical volunteering has to be patient interaction and if you are within a good reach of patients and helping them out it is considered clinical!
For non clinical it is really about helping out in something non-medical related but can go beyond in interacting with your community and making a difference. For example maybe tutoring kids who are disadvantaged (especially now with COVID there are many kids who need help), or working in a soup kitchen, being a mentor, etc. Really it's what speaks to you and what you can genuinely talk about! Right now options are limited for volunteering but below I will attach a website that gives some virtual opportunities as well. You can also check with your campus because there can be safe volunteering options- just remember to be safe and make sure you are comfortable with the opportunity if you can volunteer!
Besides volunteering I would also advise shadowing and research as well; shadowing is important because you can really get to know the life of a doctor and make sure you like it! Research is recommended for some schools, if you want to definitely pursue research later on in your career it is good to take part in it as an undergrad. Possibly ask professors and see if there are any opportunities available; usually research is completed with professors who once taught you.
As a last note, medical schools want to see that you are committed, so make sure the ec activities you take part in that you truly do it for a long time and continue in them. Many people may say make sure to do this and that, like checking off boxes but it is about commitment and passion as well. Usually ec's should be exceeding 100 hours, and the more the better, but throughout time like 1-3 years can show more commitment than a couple months of 100 hours total. I hope this has helped you and the links below will give more information about extracurriculars as well!
I wish you the best!
https://www.pointsoflight.org. (volunteering online)
https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-medical-school/applying-medical-school-process/medical-school-admission-requirements/
https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-medical-school/article/core-competencies/
https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-medical-school/article/how-get-lab-experience/
https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-medical-school/article/finding-health-care-related-volunteer-opportunitie/
For non clinical it is really about helping out in something non-medical related but can go beyond in interacting with your community and making a difference. For example maybe tutoring kids who are disadvantaged (especially now with COVID there are many kids who need help), or working in a soup kitchen, being a mentor, etc. Really it's what speaks to you and what you can genuinely talk about! Right now options are limited for volunteering but below I will attach a website that gives some virtual opportunities as well. You can also check with your campus because there can be safe volunteering options- just remember to be safe and make sure you are comfortable with the opportunity if you can volunteer!
Besides volunteering I would also advise shadowing and research as well; shadowing is important because you can really get to know the life of a doctor and make sure you like it! Research is recommended for some schools, if you want to definitely pursue research later on in your career it is good to take part in it as an undergrad. Possibly ask professors and see if there are any opportunities available; usually research is completed with professors who once taught you.
As a last note, medical schools want to see that you are committed, so make sure the ec activities you take part in that you truly do it for a long time and continue in them. Many people may say make sure to do this and that, like checking off boxes but it is about commitment and passion as well. Usually ec's should be exceeding 100 hours, and the more the better, but throughout time like 1-3 years can show more commitment than a couple months of 100 hours total. I hope this has helped you and the links below will give more information about extracurriculars as well!
I wish you the best!
Yasemin recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Douglas’s Answer
It's great that you are thinking of your overall candidacy beyond your academic record. Suggest you look for volunteer opportunities inside and outside the medical field. This may include tutoring children, or volunteering at a local nursing home or hospital. Good luck!