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Prathiv
Student
Burlington, Massachusetts
7
Questions
Asked
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What are extracurricular activities, how would that factor into my college application?
I’m lost on what extracurricular activities are, but I’ve done some research and it talks about volunteering? My aspiration is med school, and I want a great profile for the top universities for my biochemistry undergrad. I have also enrolled in multiple competitions for research and projects involving STEM. What can I do?
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8 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1616
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Everyone is unique Prathiv, and medical schools are not interested in getting to know a fake version of you; they want to learn about the real you. Extracurriculars provide medical schools a window into what makes you, you. Beyond your grades and test scores lie your personality, character, motivations, and interests. These are the questions they'll want to be answered when reviewing your application and interviewing you. Don’t just pursue extracurriculars that you think will look good on your application. Instead, consider your personal goals and career path.
CLINICAL EXPERIENCE — Gaining clinical experience is crucial before applying to medical school. Your experiences show admissions committee members you’ve developed the skills necessary to become a competent doctor. It's also the only type of experience that allows you to really test-drive a medical career.
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE — Research experience is viewed favorably at most medical schools, especially ones well-known for research, such as Harvard and Stanford. Research is highly valued because it helps students sharpen various skills desired by medical schools.
TUTORING — Tutoring positions are valuable extracurricular activities for medical school. One of the many qualities admissions committees seek in applicants is strong communication skills. The ability to communicate clearly and effectively is essential to become a physician. Doctors must break down complex medical issues and explain them to their patients in a simple way.
VOLUNTEERING — As a prospective doctor, your application has to show your desire and willingness to help others. Doctors can work long hours, on weekends, and on-call, ensuring they’re available to help their patients as much as possible. This often involves working through breaks, over lunch, and canceling personal commitments.
Remember Prathiv to focus on high-quality activities where you demonstrate a significant time commitment. It's much more valuable to have a two-year-long research experience instead of a five three-week research experience. When it comes to extracurriculars for medical school, quality always trumps quantity.
Hope this was helpful Prathiv
CLINICAL EXPERIENCE — Gaining clinical experience is crucial before applying to medical school. Your experiences show admissions committee members you’ve developed the skills necessary to become a competent doctor. It's also the only type of experience that allows you to really test-drive a medical career.
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE — Research experience is viewed favorably at most medical schools, especially ones well-known for research, such as Harvard and Stanford. Research is highly valued because it helps students sharpen various skills desired by medical schools.
TUTORING — Tutoring positions are valuable extracurricular activities for medical school. One of the many qualities admissions committees seek in applicants is strong communication skills. The ability to communicate clearly and effectively is essential to become a physician. Doctors must break down complex medical issues and explain them to their patients in a simple way.
VOLUNTEERING — As a prospective doctor, your application has to show your desire and willingness to help others. Doctors can work long hours, on weekends, and on-call, ensuring they’re available to help their patients as much as possible. This often involves working through breaks, over lunch, and canceling personal commitments.
Remember Prathiv to focus on high-quality activities where you demonstrate a significant time commitment. It's much more valuable to have a two-year-long research experience instead of a five three-week research experience. When it comes to extracurriculars for medical school, quality always trumps quantity.
Hope this was helpful Prathiv
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Consultant and Freelance Writer
751
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Paul’s Answer
One thing that I have observed, is that schools seem to like volunteer work with with certain groups.
This can be working positions that include people who are physically challenged, or ones who are struggling with homelessness.
Dedication and service to others, is a real plus on a transcript.
This can be working positions that include people who are physically challenged, or ones who are struggling with homelessness.
Dedication and service to others, is a real plus on a transcript.
Houcine Lakhchach
Career Development Specialist | U.S Department exchange Alumnus | EFL/ESL trainer | Program manager
139
Answers
Kenitra, Gharb-Chrarda-Beni Hssen, Morocco
Updated
Houcine’s Answer
Hi Prathiv,
I hope this answer finds you well. It's great to hear about your aspirations for med school and your commitment to building a strong profile for your biochemistry undergrad. Let's dive into the world of extracurricular activities and how they can bolster your college application.
What are extracurricular activities?
Extracurricular activities are any activities outside of your regular academic curriculum. They can include a wide range of pursuits such as volunteering, participating in clubs or organizations, engaging in sports, or taking on leadership roles.
How do they factor into your college application?
Extracurricular activities are a crucial component of your college application. They provide admissions officers with a holistic view of your interests, skills, and dedication beyond the classroom. Colleges are not just looking for academic excellence; they value well-rounded individuals who contribute to their communities.
Given your interest in biochemistry and your goal of attending top universities for your undergrad, it's fantastic that you're already involved in STEM competitions and research projects. To enhance your profile further:
Volunteering: Consider volunteering in healthcare settings, such as hospitals or clinics. This hands-on experience will not only demonstrate your commitment to the medical field but also provide valuable insights.
Leadership Roles: Look for opportunities to take on leadership roles in STEM clubs or community organizations. Leadership experience showcases your ability to take initiative and make a positive impact.
Internships: Explore internships in biochemistry or related fields. Internships provide practical experience and demonstrate your dedication to gaining real-world knowledge.
Extracurricular Clubs: Join or create clubs related to your academic interests. This can include science clubs, research groups, or community service organizations.
Networking: Connect with professionals and professors in your field of interest. Networking can open doors to mentorship, research opportunities, and valuable insights into your chosen career path.
Remember, quality often outweighs quantity when it comes to extracurriculars. Choose activities that genuinely interest you and align with your goals. Stay dedicated, and your efforts will undoubtedly contribute to a compelling college application.
If you have any more questions or need further guidance, feel free to reach out.
Best regards,
Houcine
I hope this answer finds you well. It's great to hear about your aspirations for med school and your commitment to building a strong profile for your biochemistry undergrad. Let's dive into the world of extracurricular activities and how they can bolster your college application.
What are extracurricular activities?
Extracurricular activities are any activities outside of your regular academic curriculum. They can include a wide range of pursuits such as volunteering, participating in clubs or organizations, engaging in sports, or taking on leadership roles.
How do they factor into your college application?
Extracurricular activities are a crucial component of your college application. They provide admissions officers with a holistic view of your interests, skills, and dedication beyond the classroom. Colleges are not just looking for academic excellence; they value well-rounded individuals who contribute to their communities.
Given your interest in biochemistry and your goal of attending top universities for your undergrad, it's fantastic that you're already involved in STEM competitions and research projects. To enhance your profile further:
Volunteering: Consider volunteering in healthcare settings, such as hospitals or clinics. This hands-on experience will not only demonstrate your commitment to the medical field but also provide valuable insights.
Leadership Roles: Look for opportunities to take on leadership roles in STEM clubs or community organizations. Leadership experience showcases your ability to take initiative and make a positive impact.
Internships: Explore internships in biochemistry or related fields. Internships provide practical experience and demonstrate your dedication to gaining real-world knowledge.
Extracurricular Clubs: Join or create clubs related to your academic interests. This can include science clubs, research groups, or community service organizations.
Networking: Connect with professionals and professors in your field of interest. Networking can open doors to mentorship, research opportunities, and valuable insights into your chosen career path.
Remember, quality often outweighs quantity when it comes to extracurriculars. Choose activities that genuinely interest you and align with your goals. Stay dedicated, and your efforts will undoubtedly contribute to a compelling college application.
If you have any more questions or need further guidance, feel free to reach out.
Best regards,
Houcine
Thank you, this was exactly what I was confused about!
Prathiv
Michel Davis
Medical student
171
Answers
Cranston, Rhode Island
Updated
Michel’s Answer
Medical school is looking for two major types of volunteering. Clinical volunteering which most people can start once they hit 18 and non clinical volunteering. Finding these opportunities in your community are dependent. I grew up in a smaller town and I only had a few options, but my guidance counselor was able to guide me in the direction i needed in order to find some sort of volunteering that met my needs. Joining interest groups at your school can also give you new and fresh ideas on how you can volunteer and help out the community so always a good spot to look into.
Sachin Joshi
Software engineer
23
Answers
San Jose, California
Updated
Sachin’s Answer
Good question and yes there are many other things that can help you with extra curricular activities profile. Here are some
Volunteering: Engage in community service or healthcare-related volunteer work to demonstrate compassion and a commitment to helping others.
Research Opportunities: Seek out research projects or internships in medical or scientific fields to showcase your interest in academic exploration.
Shadowing: Spend time shadowing healthcare professionals to gain practical insights into the medical profession and demonstrate your understanding of the field.
Clubs and Organizations: Join relevant clubs or organizations such as science clubs, pre-med clubs, or health-related societies to showcase your dedication to your chosen path.
Leadership Roles: Take on leadership positions in school clubs or community organizations to demonstrate leadership skills and initiative.
Academic Excellence: Maintain a strong academic record with a focus on science and math courses to show your dedication to your education.
Sports and Extracurriculars: Participate in sports or other extracurricular activities to showcase a well-rounded personality and good time management skills.
Healthcare Exposure: Gain exposure to different facets of healthcare by participating in workshops, seminars, or healthcare-related conferences.
Writing and Communication Skills: Develop strong writing and communication skills through activities such as writing for the school newspaper or participating in debate clubs.
Well-rounded Resume: Aim for a well-rounded resume that reflects not only academic achievements but also a diverse range of experiences and skills.
Volunteering: Engage in community service or healthcare-related volunteer work to demonstrate compassion and a commitment to helping others.
Research Opportunities: Seek out research projects or internships in medical or scientific fields to showcase your interest in academic exploration.
Shadowing: Spend time shadowing healthcare professionals to gain practical insights into the medical profession and demonstrate your understanding of the field.
Clubs and Organizations: Join relevant clubs or organizations such as science clubs, pre-med clubs, or health-related societies to showcase your dedication to your chosen path.
Leadership Roles: Take on leadership positions in school clubs or community organizations to demonstrate leadership skills and initiative.
Academic Excellence: Maintain a strong academic record with a focus on science and math courses to show your dedication to your education.
Sports and Extracurriculars: Participate in sports or other extracurricular activities to showcase a well-rounded personality and good time management skills.
Healthcare Exposure: Gain exposure to different facets of healthcare by participating in workshops, seminars, or healthcare-related conferences.
Writing and Communication Skills: Develop strong writing and communication skills through activities such as writing for the school newspaper or participating in debate clubs.
Well-rounded Resume: Aim for a well-rounded resume that reflects not only academic achievements but also a diverse range of experiences and skills.
Jerome Dees Jr.
Sales Professional and Networking Expert
613
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Jerome’s Answer
I’d recommend you join clubs and participate in opportunities that the school offers (things like science fairs). Volunteering in the community can go a long way.
Yaz M
Recruit
50
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
Yaz’s Answer
Extracurricular activities help show that you are a well rounded person with potentially great values. I would suggest joining Leos Club/ Interact / Boy & Girls Club as these are more well known community service clubs. This would show you care about your community and want to give back to the betterment of society. Another avenue to consider would be maybe joining competitive activity clubs like Soccer or Volleyball or even robotics. This could show your values (possibly) of enjoying healthy competition and enjoying work as a team to succeed.
Thank you, I’ve just enrolled in robotics and it’s build season!
Prathiv
Patrick Meyer
Executive - Data Analytics and AI
780
Answers
Naperville, Illinois
Updated
Patrick’s Answer
Prathiv, you should know that important to understand that participating in extracurricular activities is a key component of a well-rounded college application. It demonstrates your interests, abilities, and dedication beyond just your academic performance.
Since your goal is to attend med school and you're pursuing an undergraduate degree in biochemistry, it's important to strategically involve yourself in activities related to healthcare. This could include volunteering, participating in STEM competitions, taking leadership roles in STEM organizations, and contributing to meaningful research projects. These experiences will significantly enhance your college applications.
In addition to this, it's crucial to highlight your achievements, awards, and leadership experiences as they further strengthen your application.
Moreover, seeking internships in biochemistry or related fields will give you practical insights into the profession. It's also beneficial to maintain a diverse range of extracurricular activities, including those outside of STEM, to showcase your multidimensional personality. Admissions committees value long-term commitment to a handful of significant activities, so it's essential to demonstrate how these experiences have shaped your character and skills, and how they align with your future goals in biochemistry and med school.
Lastly, including a personal statement in your application is a good idea. This should outline your attributes and experiences, but also share a story about a challenge you faced and how you overcame it. If you weren't successful, explain why. This will provide a deeper insight into your resilience and problem-solving skills.
Since your goal is to attend med school and you're pursuing an undergraduate degree in biochemistry, it's important to strategically involve yourself in activities related to healthcare. This could include volunteering, participating in STEM competitions, taking leadership roles in STEM organizations, and contributing to meaningful research projects. These experiences will significantly enhance your college applications.
In addition to this, it's crucial to highlight your achievements, awards, and leadership experiences as they further strengthen your application.
Moreover, seeking internships in biochemistry or related fields will give you practical insights into the profession. It's also beneficial to maintain a diverse range of extracurricular activities, including those outside of STEM, to showcase your multidimensional personality. Admissions committees value long-term commitment to a handful of significant activities, so it's essential to demonstrate how these experiences have shaped your character and skills, and how they align with your future goals in biochemistry and med school.
Lastly, including a personal statement in your application is a good idea. This should outline your attributes and experiences, but also share a story about a challenge you faced and how you overcame it. If you weren't successful, explain why. This will provide a deeper insight into your resilience and problem-solving skills.