Are you stressing about picking the perfect extracurriculars to add to your med school application? With so many options out there, figuring out which ones will impress admission committees can be a bit mind-boggling.
Getting into medical school requires more than stellar grades and test scores – it’s also about showing who you are beyond the numbers. The extracurriculars you choose matter. Your activities outside of the classroom are like a sneak peek into what makes you …well, you! They show off your personality, passions, and drive.
I’m here to walk you through the top premed extracurriculars. I’ll help you figure out which of these opportunities are the perfect fit for you and provide tips on how to get the most out of your premed extracurricular experiences.
Get ready to give your med school application a boost with these premed extracurriculars!
This post is all about premed extracurriculars.
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Best Premed Extracurriculars
What are the best types of premed extracurriculars?
Medical schools are looking for you to have many interests, show a passion for helping others, and have participated in a wide range of experiences. It all may seem overwhelming, but I’m breaking it down here for you.
Clinical Experiences
These hands-on opportunities in paid or volunteer roles give you a firsthand look at the world of healthcare and a taste of what it’s really like to work in the field. They help you develop core competencies, including oral communication, empathy and compassion, and commitment to professional growth. Most of all, clinical experiences show medical schools that you’re serious about pursuing a medical career, helping you answer the all-important question, “Why do you want to become a doctor?”
Paid clinical experiences can offer you the chance to work more closely with patients and participate in their care. Some examples of paid clinical roles include working as a medical scribe, certified nursing assistant, medical assistant, or EMT (what I did).
Shadowing a Doctor
Clinical volunteering, such as shadowing experiences, offers a glimpse into a doctor’s everyday routine. Shadowing lets you take a step back and basically become a fly on the wall as you follow a doctor and take it all in. You’ll observe how doctors talk to patients, what questions they ask, and what tests they run.
While shadowing a doctor isn’t a formal requirement for medical school, most successful applicants have done a fair bit of it. Plus, you’ll gain a collection of meaningful stories to share in your essays for your medical school applications and to discuss during interviews.
Research Opportunities
Arguably considered one of the most valuable extracurriculars for premed students looking to stand out on their med school applications, engaging in research demonstrates your scientific curiosity, helps develop your critical thinking skills, and shows your commitment to advancing knowledge in the medical field.
When considering research opportunities, such as laboratory, clinical, summer, or independent programs, choose rewarding, worthwhile projects that align with your interests and career goals. Also, contributing to a research paper or presenting your findings at a conference can significantly enhance your application.
Volunteering and Community Service
By volunteering, you display your genuine concern for others’ well-being. Medical schools are not just looking for academic achievers but also individuals who possess strong empathy and compassion, qualities that are vital for a successful healthcare professional.
Remember to choose volunteer opportunities that align with your interests and goals. By engaging in meaningful and impactful community service activities, you’ll contribute to the well-being of others while showcasing your dedication to becoming a compassionate healthcare provider.
Leadership Positions
Medical schools want students who can go above and beyond, and leadership roles show that you’re proactive and motivated. Also, these positions help you develop the skills crucial for future physicians, such as communicating effectively with team members, making tough decisions, and solving problems.
There are many ways to develop your leadership skills, such as actively engaging in extracurricular activities:
- Taking on the role of president or vice president of a student organization or a club or organization shows your commitment and ability to manage a group of peers.
- Acting as the captain of a sports team helps build your resilience and improves your ability to motivate others.
- Tutoring or participating in a mentoring program demonstrates your ability to educate and support others.
- Leading a research project or team shows your analytical skills and ability to lead a scientific endeavor.
Hobbies (Unrelated to Your Medical Career)
Adding athletic, artistic, or just-for-the-fun-of-it hobbies can make your application stand out. Medical schools are looking for you to be well-rounded, and showing that you have diverse interests outside of medicine demonstrates that you are a multifaceted person with various skills and experiences.
Hobbies like painting, hiking, or gardening can show that you have ways to unwind and recharge, which is crucial for maintaining an excellent work-life balance in a demanding field like medicine. Or consider including your musical skills on your med school application to illustrate your creativity and dedication.
Also, many hobbies involve working with others. Whether playing on a sports team or collaborating on a creative project, these experiences can help you develop strong interpersonal skills, teamwork, and leadership abilities essential for a medical career.
I personally was part of the equestrian team for many years which has enriched my life with so many experiences and lessons. This became also a topic in my essays when applying to medical school since it showed a great part of who I was as a medical school applicant.
Other Relevant Activities
Beyond the types of extracurriculars mentioned above, keep an open mind as you look for additional activities that can make your application shine. For example, include work, such as creating publications related to research papers or a medical journal, which demonstrates your ability to communicate complex information effectively.
Have you attended a recent conference related to healthcare? Listing this event on your med school application shows that you’re staying up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in the field. And definitely include if you had the opportunity to present at a conference or a workshop. This experience showcases your knowledge, expertise, and public speaking abilities.
And, finally, awards or recognitions, whether it’s a scholarship, a leadership award, or a community service recognition, show that your hard work and dedication haven’t gone unnoticed.
How many extracurriculars for med school should you include?
You can list up to 15 extracurriculars on your AMCAS application, but that doesn’t mean you should max it out. Medical schools are looking for meaningful experiences that describe and represent your interests and skills. It’s better to include a few impactful activities that reflect your passions, interests, and dedication to medicine than a random list of mediocre ones to fill the space.
So if you are a senior in college, might not have worked in a full-time job before and simply just have 6 meaningful experiences – don’t add any more fluff just to fill up your extracurricular sheet.
If you are a non-traditional student, took a longer gap in between college and applying or you are a career changer, it might be easy for you to fill up these 15 experiences with meaningful activities. That’s totally fine as well!
Want to learn the strategies that helped me stand out and earn 10 med school acceptances (despite a lower GPA)?
I share lots of inside tips from my own application in this Free Premed Workshop.
Including how to apply early, the step-by-step framework to write a stellar personal statement, how to identify residency bias and much more.
You can join this jam-packed 60-90min event for free – by signing up here!
How important are extracurriculars for med school?
Don’t underestimate the power of extracurriculars to enhance your med-school application. Beyond considering your grades and MCAT score, extracurriculars provide a holistic view of who you are. These activities show admissions committees that you’re versatile, dedicated, and able to handle multiple responsibilities with a passion for helping others and a knack for leadership and teamwork.
Benefits of Participating in Extracurriculars
Extracurriculars do more than make you look good on your med school application. They also offer advantages that help prepare you for your future medical career.
- Volunteering, student organizations, or research projects help you hone leadership, teamwork, and communication skills.
- Shadowing a physician, working in a hospital, or conducting medical research can give you first-hand exposure to different specialties and healthcare environments and help you solidify your career goals.
- Connecting and networking with like-minded individuals, mentors, and professionals in the medical field can open doors for future opportunities.
- Exploring your interests and challenging yourself leads to personal growth and helps you better understand your strengths and weaknesses.
How do you choose the right extracurricular activities for you?
With so many options, how do you choose the right extracurriculars for you? Here are a few tips to help you find the perfect activities to showcase your interests and skills.
Quality over Quantity – Instead of juggling a dozen different activities, focus on a few key ones you are truly passionate about. Dedicate your time and energy to making a real impact in those areas rather than spreading yourself too thin.
Long-Term Commitment – Med schools are looking for candidates who show dedication and commitment. Choosing extracurriculars that you can stick with for an extended period, such as volunteering at a local clinic, conducting research in a lab, or joining a healthcare-related club, demonstrates to admissions committees your ability to see things through and your passion for the subject matter.
Follow Your Interests – Most importantly, choose extracurricular activities based on whether they’re personally fulfilling and rewarding to you. Whether you’re drawn to community service, research, advocacy, or leadership opportunities – choose activities that are more than just resume boosters. You should genuinely enjoy them and be excited to participate. Trust me, this will show tenfold in your essays and interviews when you share more about your life experiences.
3 Tips for Making the Most of Your Premed Extracurriculars
Once you’ve chosen the right extracurricular activities for you, take full advantage of these valuable opportunities by following these helpful steps.
- Keep a detailed record of your extracurricular activities, including volunteer work, research projects, leadership roles, and anything else you’re involved in outside your classes. You’ll thank me for this time-saver when you go to fill out the work and activities section in your primary application. Also, it’s a great way to track your personal growth and development over time.
- Journal to reflect upon what you’ve learned and experienced during your extracurricular pursuits. Journaling can be a powerful tool for self-discovery and personal growth. Write about the challenges you faced, the skills you developed, and your impact on others through your activities. Also, pro tip: you can refer to your journal entries when it’s time to write your personal statement, extracurricular descriptions and secondary essays.
- Learn from your extracurricular activities and apply those lessons in medical school and beyond. Maybe you developed excellent communication skills through volunteering at a hospital or honed your leadership abilities by leading a student organization. Recognize the value of these experiences and carry them forward throughout your career as a physician. The foundations you build now will be invaluable in the future.
If you are applying to medical school this upcoming cycle and don’t want to leave anything to chance, in my online program Road to Acceptance I guide you through each step of the application process – from primary application to interviews (and beyond). So that you can ditch the reddit research and have all the success strategies and tools right at your fingertips.
Premed Extracurriculars: in a Nutshell
I’ve covered a lot about premed extracurriculars, so let’s wrap it up with a quick summary of the takeaways.
- Remember that the extracurriculars you choose should reflect the core competencies that make a great physician. So, participate in activities that help you develop leadership, communication, teamwork, problem-solving skills, and more.
- Your list of extracurriculars should clearly show admissions boards your genuine interest and dedication to pursuing a career in medicine. Whether through shadowing experiences, volunteer work, research projects, or leadership roles, make sure your activities highlight your passion for the field.
- Lastly, show off your authentic self through your extracurriculars. Admissions boards want to see that you’re a well-rounded individual with interests outside of just studying medicine. So, explore a variety of activities that interest you, and make the most of your extracurricular experiences to grow as a person.
So, in a nutshell, embrace the opportunities that come your way, step out of your comfort zone, and let your premed extracurriculars tell your unique story to the admissions committees!
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