By Izzy Gee
As many are well aware, the path to a medical career is certainly not an easy one. The challenges endured to be successful in such a career are laborious yet rewarding. That being said, it is important for one to be informed and prepared for the years ahead. Here is some valuable advice for prospective high school students who wish to pursue medicine!
Extracurricular activities
Extracurriculars are extremely valuable as they show interest and engagement in activities outside of school related classwork. These extracurriculars do not necessarily have to be medicine related! Admissions officers are more appreciated to see that an applicant shows a vast array and variety of interests; it demonstrates a willingness to try new things and gives the impression that the applicant is well rounded. What’s most important is the demonstration of commitment and consistency to a certain activity. This is crucial, as it shows that the applicant is responsible and dedicated to their endeavors.
Join or start a club!
Whether it be outside or within your school community, it might be a good idea to try and start your own initiative or organization related to a topic of medicine in which you are most passionate about. Having a consistent and engaged role in such a club shows that one is actively interested in the field of medicine. Any leadership opportunities within said clubs are valuable as well: this demonstrates that an applicant is willing to take initiative and guide others.
Do your research!
There are so many different opportunities out there in the field of medicine! It is important for a prospective student to keep themselves informed on what exactly they plan to pursue. Extensive research for certain colleges and certain programs can certainly benefit one in the long run. A plethora of opportunities are at your fingertips, so it is important for a prospective med student to consider all options in order to make an informed and logical decision for post secondary education.
Take a summer program
Plenty of amazing universities offer enrichment programs for high school students so that they may have some insights into the medical field and possibly gain some hands-on, direct experience. These programs are a great opportunity to dive deeper into the career itself and start considering what specialty one may be particularly interested in. While many of these programs are most likely taking place online as a result of the pandemic, they offer a great introduction of what to expect as a medical student.
Interview!
The only way a raw and accurate depiction of a medical career can be obtained is through the eyes of someone who has experienced it first hand. Through friends, family or even school, try to find and interview who is pursuing / has pursued a career in medicine! This way, absolutely no detail is left out, and the interviewee may be able to provide some first hand, insider advice that even the most detailed websites may not have.
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