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How can I stand out when applying for medical colleges?
17 year old, high school senior, about to major in biology
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6 answers
Updated
Adair’s Answer
Hello Ifra,
It's amazing that you're interested in pursing medical school and focusing on what will make you stand out so early! While grades and scores are certainly important and carry heavy weight, experience and volunteering in the medical field are extremely important. If you haven't already I would definitely find a part time job in the medical field such as an EMT, Medical Assistant, Medical Scribe, Phlebotomist, Lab tech, any type of position that gets you exposure in the field on a daily basis. You will quickly accumulate hours and these are very important. While holding a position like mentioned above, you can make connections with peers and see the different tiers and hierarchy in the medical world and it can help you build relationships that can turn into letters of recommendation that are needed in the future. Shadowing professionals in the position that you wish to hold someday in the future is an awesome thing to do and can open many doors for you in the future/ Do not under estimate the power of connections and networking!
While having plenty of experience and hours in a medical related position is important and helps you stand out, don't let this take away from your hobbies and passions that make you, YOU. Medical schools love to hear what makes you unique and why they should invest their time into you.
Luckily you have plenty of time to work on these things however you're on the right track by starting to think about the next steps early to get ahead. Stay focused, work hard and remember you WHY and you'll be just fine!
It's amazing that you're interested in pursing medical school and focusing on what will make you stand out so early! While grades and scores are certainly important and carry heavy weight, experience and volunteering in the medical field are extremely important. If you haven't already I would definitely find a part time job in the medical field such as an EMT, Medical Assistant, Medical Scribe, Phlebotomist, Lab tech, any type of position that gets you exposure in the field on a daily basis. You will quickly accumulate hours and these are very important. While holding a position like mentioned above, you can make connections with peers and see the different tiers and hierarchy in the medical world and it can help you build relationships that can turn into letters of recommendation that are needed in the future. Shadowing professionals in the position that you wish to hold someday in the future is an awesome thing to do and can open many doors for you in the future/ Do not under estimate the power of connections and networking!
While having plenty of experience and hours in a medical related position is important and helps you stand out, don't let this take away from your hobbies and passions that make you, YOU. Medical schools love to hear what makes you unique and why they should invest their time into you.
Luckily you have plenty of time to work on these things however you're on the right track by starting to think about the next steps early to get ahead. Stay focused, work hard and remember you WHY and you'll be just fine!
I am really grateful you took the time to answer this question.
Ifra
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Hi Ifra:
To become a Physician or a Surgeon, a Bachelor Degree in Biology, pre-med or another science related field has to be earned at a college or university. Afterwards, a doctorate degree from an accredited medical school has to be obtained. The next phase will be training through a medical residency as well as medical certification and licensing.
For education and training, it will take up to 14 years to become a Physician or a Surgeon. The Bachelor Degree will be between 4-5 years. Medical school will be another 4-5 years. Medical residency, medical certification and licensing can take up to 3-4 years.
Physicians and Surgeons are similar in their responsibilities and duties in taking care of patients and in dealing with hospital staff and medical personnel. The main difference between the two professionals is that Surgeons operate on patients whereas Physicians do not. Physicians diagnose patients and treat their medical conditions. Operations performed by Surgeons can be treating injuries like broken bones, removal of diseases like tumors and cancers, deformities, etc.
Being a Physician or a Surgeon can be a demanding and rewarding profession, especially depending if there is a specialized field or concentration. Remember, as a Physician or a Surgeon, you are the professional who saves lives. Your patients are impacted by you.
According to U.S. News & World Report, here is an overview of pursuing medical school:
https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-medical-schools
According to U.S. News & World Report, here are the top colleges and universities to consider for Medical School:
- Harvard University
- John Hopkins University
- University of Pennsylvania (Perelman)
- Columbia University
- Duke University
- Stanford University
- University of California (San Francisco)
- Vanderbilt University
- Washington University (St. Louis)
- Cornell University (Weill)
- New York University (Grossman)
- Yale University
https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-medical-schools/research-rankings
When reviewing colleges and universities, it is best to check the following:
- In-State vs Out of State Tuition
- Internships
- Scholarships
- Career Placement upon graduation
- Course work and offered classes
- Post-Graduate Degrees - Master and Doctoral
There will be a application fee to pay for when submitting college applications. The amount of application fee will depend on the college that you are applying to. If there are questions about the college application process, please reach out to the college's Registrar Office.
There are scholarships based on need, academic performance, school activities, sports involvement and community service. So, it will be to your advantage to seek out these types of scholarships. All of the academic staff at your high school that you interact with can write letters of recommendations for you based on what was just stated above. These recommendations can greatly help when filling out college and scholarship applications.
College and scholarship applications can start to be submitted during your Junior year and will continue throughout your Senior year in high school. It is best to ask your Academic Advisor/School Counselor on the timeline process as well. College and scholarship applications will have specific deadlines and requirements to meet in order to be submitted for review and consideration.
You may want to start to compile your resume/portfolio since a majority of college and scholarship applications will require academic grade point average (GPA), academic accomplishments, school activities (clubs, sports, etc.), community involvement (volunteer, church, etc.), academic and personal recommendations, etc. There may be essay requirements on why you are a qualified candidate to receive the scholarship and gain entry to the college of your choice, what your future goals are academically and professionally and other questions centering around who you are, your beliefs, etc.
Here are a couple of links for College Scholarships:
https://www.mometrix.com/blog/scholarships-for-college/
https://www.nchchonors.org/students/awards-scholarships/national-scholarships
Also, it will be best to check with the colleges and universities that you will be applying to. You can check with the School/Department of your desired major, the Campus Career Center and the Register's Office for additional information for college scholarships and grants and specific requirements for qualifications.
There should be no limit on the amount of scholarships that one can apply to. It will take time to fill out the scholarship applications and provide all of the necessary required information. Also, there should no fee and no cost to fill out and submit scholarship applications. If there is a fee or cost that is associated with a scholarship application, then please do not send this particular scholarship application in. It will be a scam and money will be lost.
Best wishes for your education and medical career!
To become a Physician or a Surgeon, a Bachelor Degree in Biology, pre-med or another science related field has to be earned at a college or university. Afterwards, a doctorate degree from an accredited medical school has to be obtained. The next phase will be training through a medical residency as well as medical certification and licensing.
For education and training, it will take up to 14 years to become a Physician or a Surgeon. The Bachelor Degree will be between 4-5 years. Medical school will be another 4-5 years. Medical residency, medical certification and licensing can take up to 3-4 years.
Physicians and Surgeons are similar in their responsibilities and duties in taking care of patients and in dealing with hospital staff and medical personnel. The main difference between the two professionals is that Surgeons operate on patients whereas Physicians do not. Physicians diagnose patients and treat their medical conditions. Operations performed by Surgeons can be treating injuries like broken bones, removal of diseases like tumors and cancers, deformities, etc.
Being a Physician or a Surgeon can be a demanding and rewarding profession, especially depending if there is a specialized field or concentration. Remember, as a Physician or a Surgeon, you are the professional who saves lives. Your patients are impacted by you.
According to U.S. News & World Report, here is an overview of pursuing medical school:
https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-medical-schools
According to U.S. News & World Report, here are the top colleges and universities to consider for Medical School:
- Harvard University
- John Hopkins University
- University of Pennsylvania (Perelman)
- Columbia University
- Duke University
- Stanford University
- University of California (San Francisco)
- Vanderbilt University
- Washington University (St. Louis)
- Cornell University (Weill)
- New York University (Grossman)
- Yale University
https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-medical-schools/research-rankings
When reviewing colleges and universities, it is best to check the following:
- In-State vs Out of State Tuition
- Internships
- Scholarships
- Career Placement upon graduation
- Course work and offered classes
- Post-Graduate Degrees - Master and Doctoral
There will be a application fee to pay for when submitting college applications. The amount of application fee will depend on the college that you are applying to. If there are questions about the college application process, please reach out to the college's Registrar Office.
There are scholarships based on need, academic performance, school activities, sports involvement and community service. So, it will be to your advantage to seek out these types of scholarships. All of the academic staff at your high school that you interact with can write letters of recommendations for you based on what was just stated above. These recommendations can greatly help when filling out college and scholarship applications.
College and scholarship applications can start to be submitted during your Junior year and will continue throughout your Senior year in high school. It is best to ask your Academic Advisor/School Counselor on the timeline process as well. College and scholarship applications will have specific deadlines and requirements to meet in order to be submitted for review and consideration.
You may want to start to compile your resume/portfolio since a majority of college and scholarship applications will require academic grade point average (GPA), academic accomplishments, school activities (clubs, sports, etc.), community involvement (volunteer, church, etc.), academic and personal recommendations, etc. There may be essay requirements on why you are a qualified candidate to receive the scholarship and gain entry to the college of your choice, what your future goals are academically and professionally and other questions centering around who you are, your beliefs, etc.
Here are a couple of links for College Scholarships:
https://www.mometrix.com/blog/scholarships-for-college/
https://www.nchchonors.org/students/awards-scholarships/national-scholarships
Also, it will be best to check with the colleges and universities that you will be applying to. You can check with the School/Department of your desired major, the Campus Career Center and the Register's Office for additional information for college scholarships and grants and specific requirements for qualifications.
There should be no limit on the amount of scholarships that one can apply to. It will take time to fill out the scholarship applications and provide all of the necessary required information. Also, there should no fee and no cost to fill out and submit scholarship applications. If there is a fee or cost that is associated with a scholarship application, then please do not send this particular scholarship application in. It will be a scam and money will be lost.
Best wishes for your education and medical career!
This was super helpful, thank you!
Ifra
Updated
Kathleen’s Answer
Greetings! Great question. Majoring in Biology is a good start. The science classes you take in high school will be very helpful in college. Grades make an impression, but extracurricular activities and work experience is also important. Perhaps volunteering at a hospital or clinic, or senior center or residence home, helping with a job fair or science fair, or community activity, or researching a topic of interest in the medical field and writing a paper. If you can get it published or even just submitting it for publication would be good, too. You are thinking along the right lines; best to you!
Kathie
Kathie
Thanks, can't wait to put this advice into action!
Ifra
Updated
Sharon’s Answer
It's fantastic to see your interest in pursuing a career in the medical field! Medical schools will undoubtedly pay close attention to your academic performance, especially in STEM subjects such as science and mathematics. So, it's crucial to strive for excellent grades in these areas! Beyond academics, gaining practical experience can make your application shine. Consider seeking out volunteer work related to your medical interests. This could be at a local clinic or a retirement home. Shadowing doctors to understand their daily routines can also be beneficial. Are there any clubs in your vicinity that focus on medicine? They could provide valuable insights and networking opportunities. Wishing you the best of luck!
Thanks, can't wait to put this advice into action!
Ifra
Updated
Parin’s Answer
It's thrilling to know you're considering a path in medical school! I've had the privilege of being part of a medical school's admission committee for a good number of years, and I can assure you that your grades and standardized test scores do make a difference in making your application stand out during the first round of reviews.
But that's not all! The admissions committee also takes a keen interest in your extracurricular activities and essays. They're on the lookout for candidates who have demonstrated leadership abilities, gained work experience, volunteered their time, and participated in research or published their work.
So, immerse yourself in activities that ignite your passion, activities that allow you to acquire valuable life skills and foster your personal growth.
Here's wishing you all the best on this exciting journey!
But that's not all! The admissions committee also takes a keen interest in your extracurricular activities and essays. They're on the lookout for candidates who have demonstrated leadership abilities, gained work experience, volunteered their time, and participated in research or published their work.
So, immerse yourself in activities that ignite your passion, activities that allow you to acquire valuable life skills and foster your personal growth.
Here's wishing you all the best on this exciting journey!
Parin, thank you!
Ifra
Updated
Julia’s Answer
Hi Ifra,
It's awesome that you are being proactive to get ahead and build a solid foundation for medical school. I recommend researching medical schools that you would be interested in attending, and if those are in the area where you live, I would keep an eye out for any opportunities that they may have for undergraduate students. Sometimes they have events or opportunities for students to attend research seminars that their students put on or other events that you can get involved in. Academics are a good part of your application, but it's not the only thing that admissions look at. Biology is a great major to have since it will cover most of the core classes you will need for matriculation when you are ready to apply. With those medical schools that you are interested in applying to, check out their prerequisite requirements to make sure that you take the classes you need to be able to apply. Many of them require the same core classes, but some may want an extra class or so for their specific program. Let them know that you are interested in attending when the time comes, because they may have students they can connect you to that may also help you with your undergraduate core work. Those students can also assist you with the preparation process for medical school.
One of the biggest parts of admissions is your MCAT score, which is an entrance exam that is very long and very expensive. There are many resources available (for free!) to help you, but just understand that doing well in your prerequisite courses are what are going to help you build the foundation to get a score that the admissions teams ideally are looking for. Time management and learning how to study effectively for YOU is what is going to help you succeed. There will be many opportunities to join clubs and organizations on campus, so be sure to check out club fairs that they may hold on campus or have posted on the college/university's website. Pre-med based organizations are a great start, but don't overwhelm yourself and feel obligated to join them all. One thing I will tell you out of experience is to be careful in the premed community, as they can get toxic and very competitive. Not everyone is going to want to be your friend, and some people will not want to watch you succeed. You need to have a very core belief about why you want to pursue medicine and ask yourself what lengths you are willing to go to achieve this goal. There will be times where you may have to decide if an opportunity or event is worth pursuing if it conflicts with something else. And if there is no club like this that you are looking for, ask your professor or advisor how you can start your own. This is good leadership initiative to be a founder of a club.
Another big piece of advice that I want to give to you is that when you start your science classes, please talk to your professors and try to establish some kind of relationship with them -- what I mean by this is that if they teach other classes, and you talk to them and let them know that you are interested in going to medical school, they will notice how well you do in their class. If you are a good student, they will help you with advice and opportunities. Sometimes these professors have research labs that you can be part of that are difficult for other students to join. When the time comes, these professors will get to know you well enough that they will be willing to write a letter of recommendation for you for your application. I believe you need three references, but when you begin. your AMCAS application, they will let you know how many you need and how to go about getting those uploaded there. Research opportunities look very good on your application with AMCAS. You can also consider looking for volunteer opportunities, such as a volunteer clinic or you can even reach out to a hospital or medical office and ask if they have a physician that you can get in touch with to set up a shadowing opportunity. This will give you exposure to different areas of medicine and will also look good on your resume.
If you are looking for work experience that can supplement your application, as well as get experience in general, there are several options you can look into. Some hospitals have a patient care tech (or similar) position or you can look into becoming a CNA or MA (medical assistant). I would research how to become those because sometimes hospitals or medical offices might know where you can take the courses for free, or paid though them, or for a reduced cost. Sometimes they don't require a certification but check with New York state laws. You can also look into online places like ScribeAmerica and apply to be a scribe, either virtual or in person. You can also ask hospitals or medical offices if this is something you need a certification for; some offices may train you on the job. But again, check with your state's laws on these!
If you have very little to no medical experience, I will also suggest that you can also look into a pharmacy technician position to get experience with medicines. They will train you on the job if you apply to a retail pharmacy. There are a lot of people who work in pharmacy while in undergrad that are pursuing nursing or another medical career, so you don't have to decide to become a pharmacist to work in a pharmacy. This experience will give you patient interactions and also help you learn the different drugs that you will be learning about and working with while you are in medical school. This can also show you how different medical professions work together to get to a common goal to address the needs of the patient.
I believe clinical experience is part of your AMCAS application, so these can definitely be used towards that.
Lastly, you are young being 17, do not feel like you have to rush your life -- you will always have plenty of time for everything, even if you don't feel like you do. Take care of yourself and take breaks as your brain and body tell you. Don't push yourself and overexert yourself. Sometimes you will meet new people and no longer have people in your life. You just learn that not everyone will be part of your journey and move on and keep putting yourself first with your goals and health in mind. Your best self is one that makes you feel confident and healthy. Don't be afraid to reach out for help if you need it, whether that's with your classes or your mental health. This is a very difficult journey to be on but only you can get yourself there with the resources you find along the way.
Developing your sense of self will allow you to tie in your academics and other aspects of your life, which will stand out when you apply to medical school. Know your why, and that will speak volumes when you submit your application and get interviewed.
I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Best of luck on your journey!
It's awesome that you are being proactive to get ahead and build a solid foundation for medical school. I recommend researching medical schools that you would be interested in attending, and if those are in the area where you live, I would keep an eye out for any opportunities that they may have for undergraduate students. Sometimes they have events or opportunities for students to attend research seminars that their students put on or other events that you can get involved in. Academics are a good part of your application, but it's not the only thing that admissions look at. Biology is a great major to have since it will cover most of the core classes you will need for matriculation when you are ready to apply. With those medical schools that you are interested in applying to, check out their prerequisite requirements to make sure that you take the classes you need to be able to apply. Many of them require the same core classes, but some may want an extra class or so for their specific program. Let them know that you are interested in attending when the time comes, because they may have students they can connect you to that may also help you with your undergraduate core work. Those students can also assist you with the preparation process for medical school.
One of the biggest parts of admissions is your MCAT score, which is an entrance exam that is very long and very expensive. There are many resources available (for free!) to help you, but just understand that doing well in your prerequisite courses are what are going to help you build the foundation to get a score that the admissions teams ideally are looking for. Time management and learning how to study effectively for YOU is what is going to help you succeed. There will be many opportunities to join clubs and organizations on campus, so be sure to check out club fairs that they may hold on campus or have posted on the college/university's website. Pre-med based organizations are a great start, but don't overwhelm yourself and feel obligated to join them all. One thing I will tell you out of experience is to be careful in the premed community, as they can get toxic and very competitive. Not everyone is going to want to be your friend, and some people will not want to watch you succeed. You need to have a very core belief about why you want to pursue medicine and ask yourself what lengths you are willing to go to achieve this goal. There will be times where you may have to decide if an opportunity or event is worth pursuing if it conflicts with something else. And if there is no club like this that you are looking for, ask your professor or advisor how you can start your own. This is good leadership initiative to be a founder of a club.
Another big piece of advice that I want to give to you is that when you start your science classes, please talk to your professors and try to establish some kind of relationship with them -- what I mean by this is that if they teach other classes, and you talk to them and let them know that you are interested in going to medical school, they will notice how well you do in their class. If you are a good student, they will help you with advice and opportunities. Sometimes these professors have research labs that you can be part of that are difficult for other students to join. When the time comes, these professors will get to know you well enough that they will be willing to write a letter of recommendation for you for your application. I believe you need three references, but when you begin. your AMCAS application, they will let you know how many you need and how to go about getting those uploaded there. Research opportunities look very good on your application with AMCAS. You can also consider looking for volunteer opportunities, such as a volunteer clinic or you can even reach out to a hospital or medical office and ask if they have a physician that you can get in touch with to set up a shadowing opportunity. This will give you exposure to different areas of medicine and will also look good on your resume.
If you are looking for work experience that can supplement your application, as well as get experience in general, there are several options you can look into. Some hospitals have a patient care tech (or similar) position or you can look into becoming a CNA or MA (medical assistant). I would research how to become those because sometimes hospitals or medical offices might know where you can take the courses for free, or paid though them, or for a reduced cost. Sometimes they don't require a certification but check with New York state laws. You can also look into online places like ScribeAmerica and apply to be a scribe, either virtual or in person. You can also ask hospitals or medical offices if this is something you need a certification for; some offices may train you on the job. But again, check with your state's laws on these!
If you have very little to no medical experience, I will also suggest that you can also look into a pharmacy technician position to get experience with medicines. They will train you on the job if you apply to a retail pharmacy. There are a lot of people who work in pharmacy while in undergrad that are pursuing nursing or another medical career, so you don't have to decide to become a pharmacist to work in a pharmacy. This experience will give you patient interactions and also help you learn the different drugs that you will be learning about and working with while you are in medical school. This can also show you how different medical professions work together to get to a common goal to address the needs of the patient.
I believe clinical experience is part of your AMCAS application, so these can definitely be used towards that.
Lastly, you are young being 17, do not feel like you have to rush your life -- you will always have plenty of time for everything, even if you don't feel like you do. Take care of yourself and take breaks as your brain and body tell you. Don't push yourself and overexert yourself. Sometimes you will meet new people and no longer have people in your life. You just learn that not everyone will be part of your journey and move on and keep putting yourself first with your goals and health in mind. Your best self is one that makes you feel confident and healthy. Don't be afraid to reach out for help if you need it, whether that's with your classes or your mental health. This is a very difficult journey to be on but only you can get yourself there with the resources you find along the way.
Developing your sense of self will allow you to tie in your academics and other aspects of your life, which will stand out when you apply to medical school. Know your why, and that will speak volumes when you submit your application and get interviewed.
I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Best of luck on your journey!
Thank you so much 🥹✨ Your advice is extremely helpful and touching! You rock!
Ifra