Pre-med admissions experts recommend high-impact activities that don't necessarily demand a high price
- lesscollegestress
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
Hospital Volunteering: Seek out a patient-facing volunteer role. Real-world clinical exposure is one of the best ways to show commitment to medicine. Everyone agrees that this experience (and self-driven research with a mentor) is the most valuable for student applications.
Basic Science Research: Students could talk to their school's science research coordinator or science leaders at your school. Engaging in research is a major "differentiator" for pre-med applicants, and it could lead to entering prestigious competitions like the Regeneron Science Talent Search. Research companies like Polygence, Pioneer, and Lumiere offer mentored opportunities at varying costs.
Leadership as a Camp Counselor/Daycare Assistant: These jobs are actually an outstanding pre-med credential. It proves a student can work in teams and be responsible for the health and well-being of others and react well to emergencies, crucial skills for doctors, and (if interested in pediatrics) shows passion and patience with children.
Specific Program Recommendations at Universities
The Duke Neural Integration and Sensory Pathways program was recommended for neurology. There are other courses listed under "psychology and Neuroscience" to examine too; "Medicine" as well.
Harvard Medical School Online offers courses that provide college credit, which is a very tangible outcome for applications. Depending on a student's perspective, it's a pro or a con to be able to stay home and do this work; it could allow them to stay local and complete other activities simultaneously. Check out Wake Forest’s online program too. https://wfuonline.precollegeprograms.org/med-programs
The "Mini-Med" programs at Georgetown, Johns Hopkins, (Harvard) HMS MEDscience, University of Rochester, and Tufts come highly recommended for their immersive environments. However, spending more will not guarantee a higher return.
If anyone wants opportunities abroad, the following was shared: there are destinations in Nepal, Spain, Peru and Tanzania for the summer through this site and Spain has some incredible med schools as well.
