How can I combine my intetest? To standout in the college application
I want to go into the medical field and computer science but I want to combine those interest together, my extracurricular are:
• STEMEd for girl volunteer
•American Red Cross blood ambassador.
•American Red Cross youth action campaign advocate
•ambassador for UNCG intersection camp: a camp for girls in stem.
I want to combine those interest for programming and health by creating an App for students to treat themselves in case of minor injuries or illnesses when there is no teacher similar to how AED defibrillators guide people in case of sudden cardiac arrest. for example if you got bitten by a mosquito it’ll guide you on how to treat a mosquito bite or you were doing an activity outside of class and you got sunburn, it’ll guide you on how to treat a sunburn.
Is this a good idea, and if so, how can I get the resources or what do you recommend because I don't have the resources or any idea on how to start an app?
5 answers
James Constantine Frangos
James Constantine’s Answer
## Uniting Your Passions: A Path Full of Promise
**Your concept of designing an app to assist students with minor injuries and health issues is truly remarkable!** This ingenious idea merges your passion for medicine and computer science, and it holds the potential to create a significant difference.
### The Distinctiveness of Your Idea
* **Innovation:** It offers a unique solution to a real-world challenge.
* **Influence:** The app has the potential to assist numerous students during emergency situations.
* **Passion Displayed:** Your extracurricular activities reflect your commitment to both STEM and healthcare.
### Bringing Your Idea to Life
Initiating an app from the ground up can be daunting, but here are some steps to kickstart your journey:
1. **Investigate:**
* Look into existing apps in the healthcare and education sectors.
* Pinpoint potential users and their specific requirements.
* Carry out surveys or interviews to collect feedback.
* Study medical guidelines for addressing common injuries and health issues.
2. **Master App Development:**
* Think about online courses or tutorials on app development platforms such as:
* Apple's Swift (for iOS)
* Google's Kotlin or Java (for Android)
* Low-code/no-code platforms like Appy Pie or Thunkable (for rapid development)
* Initiate with straightforward projects to enhance your abilities.
3. **Pursue Mentorship:**
* Connect with computer science educators, local tech firms, or universities for advice.
* Look into mentorship programs or coding clubs.
4. **Team Up:**
* Seek team members with skills that complement yours (design, marketing, etc.).
* Work with healthcare experts to ensure medical accuracy.
5. **Utilize Resources:**
* Consider hackathons, coding contests, and startup incubators.
* Make use of online communities and forums for support and feedback.
### Promoting Your Project
* **College Applications:** Emphasize the app development process in your essays and activities section.
* **Portfolio:** Establish a website or portfolio to display your project.
* **Competitions:** Engage in science fairs, app contests, or innovation challenges.
**Remember:** Starting small is perfectly fine. Concentrate on establishing a robust foundation, acquiring new skills, and obtaining feedback. Your enthusiasm and commitment will be instrumental to your success.
**Are you interested in exploring specific app development platforms or learning about potential features for your app?**
God Bless You!
JC.
PwC’s Answer
My best piece of advice that I can give you working on college apps & beyond is to meet professionals you admire! There are so many awesome corporate professionals, non profit professionals, and entrepreneurs with a passion for/interests in the intersections of healthcare and tech. Snoop on LinkedIn and reach out to have a conversation. Get to know them & their work by prepping intentional questions. They may be able to help you identify places where you can get hands on experiences and teach you about the broader healthcare/tech fields. Explore while you're early in your professional and academic journey and stay curious!
PwC recommends the following next steps:
Theresa’s Answer
You’ve stated some outstanding experiences already. How exciting!
You’re in the right direction.
You need to speak with someone with more experience on the programming end for making Apps. If you Google your idea I think you’ll get some bits of the answers you are seeking. However, you may want to contact some of the Universities near you ie. The programming departments to find out if that’s the right direction. Just not my area of expertise. I think you might have a needed area of interest though.
Best of wishes! You seem to have some great ideas!
Theresa
Sylvia’s Answer
You're already equipped to dive into the IT side of things. You can start by downloading app-building apps on your phone or researching it on your computer. Practice makes perfect.
When you're ready to venture into the healthcare sector, consider volunteering or working in the field to gain first-hand experience. Remember, real-life healthcare isn't like what you see on TV, so it's crucial to understand the realities of the job. Then, choose the healthcare field that resonates with you the most. Keep in mind, your choice will determine the scope of your work. The healthcare sector is heavily regulated, and most practitioners are licensed. But don't let this deter you. Your ambition and determination will guide you through this exciting journey.
tokunbo’s Answer
You're doing an amazing job already by gaining a variety of experiences that show your passions. You should give yourself a big pat on the back for this. Right now, I believe that building an app might not be the best way to spend your time as you gear up for college applications. Your time would be better spent honing your test-taking abilities because outstanding scores can make your application stand out, while average scores might cause it to be overlooked. However, if you're set on creating an app, you can search online for bootcamps in your area where you can learn with other young people who share your interests. One such program is the "Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program". This is a two-week program and it's completely free.
Here's a tip: Clinical Informatics is a field that perfectly combines your interest in medicine and computer science. Essentially, Clinical Informatics facilitates efficient communication between individuals (like patients and healthcare providers), data (such as medical records), and technology (like wearable devices, X-ray machines, and so on) in delivering healthcare services. You might find it interesting, so why not look it up online?