Sepcial Extra Curricular Activties ?

[canadianforlife]

Hey guys, I am in high school going into university this September. I am going to be finishing my undergrad in 3 or 3 1/2 years. So during that span I am going to be doing volunteering at two different hospitals and shadowing a physician to go along with my volunteer work done throughout high school. My question I want something unique that makes me stick out and I need suggestions?

[ericismyname]

I haven't applied to any med schools yet, but from what I've read on boards, websites, and pre-med support books is that volunteering, shadowing an MD or DO(depending on which one you are going to focus on applying to), hospital experience, and almost any other clubs/groups/or sports probably wouldn't hurt. Many embark in a research internship. If you search the internet there are lots of oppurtunities. From reading on here most people advise that if you are a on a research team that publishes an article it is generally a big plus.

When I look at MD adminssions I can't recall a time where it said it wanted a LOR from an MD, but I can recall where DO admissions want LOR from DOs.

They want you to have hospital experience so you can decide if working in a hospital is for you. You can usually combat volunteering and hospital experience by volunteering at a hospital.

Anywho, just make sure your grades above 3.5 if you want to be competitive in an US MD school, score in the 30 range on the MCAT, Have good LOR, and have plenty of volunteer/hospital/research.

This is just what I've gathered from this website, SDN, premed support books, college admissions websites, and my shadowing physicians.

Eric.

[canadianforlife]

Thanks Eric, but dont you think all those things are common on medical school applications?

[Blade07]

I've been told that if you can land a paid job at a hospital, it is looked upon as a big plus. Some people I know have become certified nurse techs/assistants and have gotten paid jobs at hospitals. I volunteered at a local free clinic for a while and they've offered me a full time job. Mind you it's not very high paying, but it does give you some real hands on experience.

[stateofequilibrium]

Originally Posted by canadianforlife

Thanks Eric, but dont you think all those things are common on medical school applications?

Pretty much. The best advice is to do a few things and really commit to them, show them you're serious about medicine. If you're going to join a club, rise to leadership position. If you're going to volunteer at a hospital, win some awards. If you're going to do research, do something that'll make your eyes bleed from staring into a microscope at 1 am in the morning to get that perfect picture of a neuron firing.

[canadianforlife]

agreed, thanks stateofequillibrium

[jameslynton]

Also remember - grades and doing well in each course comes before anything else. Many forget this! Volunteer when you are not in school.

[rosethorn_14]

if u had to choose between a research internship and a year long regular internship under a doc. in the radiology department, which is better?

[stateofequilibrium]

Originally Posted by rosethorn_14

if u had to choose between a research internship and a year long regular internship under a doc. in the radiology department, which is better?

If you could realistically hope to get a publication or two, research looks good. You could always shadow docs elsewhere.

[rosethorn_14]

how much weight would your publications have if you did one in high school? It would be a lot of hard work, so would it pay off? Also it's not just shadowing, it's everyday for the whole school year and there are only 3 of these available.