Med school no extracurriculars Our list of the negatives when it comes to the best and worst extracurriculars for medical school starts off with a baseline component that probably the vast majority of pre-med students participate in at some point. By Raid Avatar June 10, 2010 in (medic) would give tons of great experience towards med school: So basically what the title says, I don't really have any extracurriculars in med school other than volunteering in some thing here and there. The W/A section is there to complete your resume and show that you have interests both within and outside of medicine (i. However, if you do not have the clinical experience to back up whether you know for sure you want to devote your career to medicine, then your chances of getting in drops significantly. I know, very sad. so, i volunteered with community groups to serve rural areas (both medical and non-medical), my shadowing was focused in rural areas, and i applied to programs with a focus on rural care. Get in touch: (800) 727-0780 Admissions Consulting Jul 27, 2023 · Jul 27, 2023 12:15:00 PM | Pre-Med. Don't feel limited to research/volunteering as extracurriculars either. if you have an interest, do things to pursue that interest. This is quite a bit of stuff that you need to do, on top of managing classes and preparing for the MCAT. Find valuable tips, resources, relatable moments, and unforgettable high school moments in this vibrant hub of students all over the world. GPA and MCAT are king. Med school interviewers are masters at the art of detecting BS. While membership in pre-med groups such as AMSA and MAPS The Premed Years podcast session 171 – Reapplying to Med School – What You Need to Know to Improve. com is the best way for high school students to find top notch high school extracurriculars and high school extra curricular activities. However, the value of extracurricular activities extends far beyond the application – they provide opportunity to develop personal characteristics that will serve you for the rest of your medical practicing career. 5 years in college, and 3 years work after graduation), 30-40 hours of physician shadowing, and 100 hours of volunteering at a homeless clinic. But on top of an already long list of prereqs and extracurriculars, it’s often difficult to secure. 0) but I have not done any extracurricular activity yet (volunteering, shadowing, research, e-board positions in clubs, etc. Entertain the possibility of delaying your application for a year. Mar 19, 2017 · Jubbal is now a physician entrepreneur, and his passion for medical education and patient care led him to found the Blue LINC Healthcare Incubator and Med School Insiders. i think having a narrative to your app is more important than have one big X factor. 2nd year premed here. Jan 6, 2025 · If you’re just starting out in research, the Med School Insiders Ultimate Premed & Medical Student Research Course will meet you where you are and help you maximize your potential as a more competitive medical school or residency applicant. In other words, don’t sacrifice gpa/mcat to stand out since stats>ECs 99% of the time Oct 16, 2022 · How Much Do Extracurriculars Matter For Med School? Extracurriculars matter a lot for med schools. Without any extracurriculars, it is virtually impossible to get into medical school. Med school admissions committees (Adcoms) are almost certain to reject you without any extracurriculars. But ditch the "doing extracurriculars for the sake of my application" nonsense now. Hope this helps, and good luck on your pre-med journey! Apr 3, 2024 · Top Extracurriculars to Boost Your Medical School Application. Feb 21, 2024 · Extracurricular activities can help to differentiate your application in the medical school admissions process and require thoughtful decision-making and careful planning. However, most people have less than that. Aug 4, 2019 · These activities, though not traditional extracurriculars, can show that you understand the day-to-day realities of a medical career–and that you’re eager to take on its challenges. I had no idea Jan 18, 2022 · The Worst Extracurriculars for Medical School Pre-med student groups. We have curated a one-stop-shop for extracurricular activities that will make you a standout medical school applicant. Apr 19, 2025 · How many extracurriculars do you need for med school? There鈥檚 no exact number of extracurriculars required for medical school, but quality matters more than quantity. 8 of the Best Extracurriculars for Medical School. Hobbies come up often during residency interviews and are important in showing that you are a real person that they'd want to work with. The top three things residencies look for are your step scores, your third year grades, and I'm nearing the end of J1 and only just realized I want to apply for med school to be a psychiatrist. No extracurriculars. Enter the world of extracurricular activities. I also don't have any research (I genuinely don't enjoy it). Extracurriculars. Entering junior year, and have no extracurriculars ☑️ Extracurriculars Hi guys, I have been a full-time pre med student since freshman year and have been focusing more on maintaining my GPA (currently a 4. This means that you shouldn’t do every activity imaginable just to fill up lines on your CV. The Premed Years podcast session 75 – What Are My Chances of Getting into Med School? If you have questions you want answered here on the OldPremeds Podcast, go to oldpremeds. So… What to do if you have no research experience for medical school? Don’t panic. Aug 17, 2022 · Medical schools can see through your extracurricular activities what makes you, you. Traits such Applying for med school, you probably already know just how important research experience can be. Most people won't do the ridiculous amount listed here. I ran my first code in high school and also worked some traumas alone too. You’ll learn advanced tactics you won’t find anywhere else because we innovated them—the same May 8, 2025 · Deciding on extracurriculars for medical school is difficult, but this guide will help you choose extracurriculars to make your application stand out. Share ideas, ask for advice and interact with your demographic here at r/highschool. I'm not going to say extracurriculars aren't important, because many competitive residency programs will look at things like research. Go into the forums and ask a My advisor is telling me shes worried about my residency application because of lack of extra-curricular involvement in medical school. GPA and MCAT are very important; but even if you're applying with a very high GPA and MCAT there are at least a few thousand other people applying with equal and greater stats; you are not competing with the bottom 5% in that case, you are competing with that group of You don’t need that particular EC, no. Prepare your college application with personalized extracurriculars chosen just for you using AI. for me, it was rural medicine. However, I will tell you that leadership came up quite a few times during my med school inteviews and my residency interviews because of something I have on my CV that I earned while in high school for goodness sake, LOL. Aim for 3-5 meaningful activities that allow you to demonstrate leadership, commitment, and personal growth, especially those related to healthcare or community service. Hi, Is teaching and non clinical volunteering hours are mandatory for medical school application. I didn’t decide I wanted to go to medical school until last fall, and I realize now that I have a lot to catch up on to make myself more competitive. Jun 10, 2010 · No extracurriculars. org and register for an account. Most of the ridiculous hoops med school adcoms made you jump through are no longer relevant for residency. Feb 11, 2025 · Victor • 10/25/2021 11:04. This ultimate guide to pre-med extracurricular activities will help you choose the best activities for your interests and med school applications. The top three things residencies look for are your step scores, your third year grades, and Enter the world of extracurricular activities. Through these and other projects, he seeks to empower future generations of physicians, redefine medical education, and improve patient care through interdisciplinary Oct 8, 2024 · Part 4: How to pursue extracurriculars for medical school the right way Part 5: Considerations for international students Part 6: Navigating extracurriculars as a non-traditional student Part 7: Med school extracurriculars Q&A with a former Harvard Med School adcom Part 8: Frequently asked questions about extracurriculars for medical school---- You’ll realize 90%+ premeds will have “cookie-cutter” extracurriculars like EMT, MA, scribe, research etc. Apr 19, 2025 · How many extracurriculars do you need for med school? There’s no exact number of extracurriculars required for medical school, but quality matters more than quantity. Here's some advice on if research isn't going to be part of your narrative that's ok, but you better have something pretty good to replace it with. Exit the extracurriculars arms race now. Extracurricular activities for a premed student include 2 major categories: Shadowing and clinical experience; Volunteering, research, and all those hobbies you love Apr 10, 2023 · Excelling at both extracurricular activities and exams in medical school is critical to determining which residency you want to pursue and, ultimately, getting into that residency. Even if the med schools you apply to don’t call around your extracurricular activity contacts, your interview is like a verification process. Most medical students are well-versed in successfully juggling multiple endeavors and demanding schedules. In addition, it gives admissions committees a chance to learn more about you. The fourth installment, to be released in 2019, is the Guide to the Medical School Application. Is scribing at a private clinic considered as a clinical experience and its not through any organization and no scribe certification. Leadership Roles Medical schools look for candidates who can lead, inspire, and take initiative. We suggest you prioritize the following five extracurricular activities: Physician shadowing In the competitive field of medical school admissions, a well-rounded application is key. Your personality, character, motives, and hobbies are more important than your grades and test results. Nov 3, 2024 · I don't think you need to show significant leadership position in clubs in order to get in to medical school. Truthfully, though, I think those were just unique to my situation, not just because I was in high school. )----Part 1: Introduction to the AMCAS Work and Activities section Nov 3, 2024 · I don't think you need to show significant leadership position in clubs in order to get in to medical school. Aug 22, 2020 · If there aren't any good projects at your school then reach out to nearby hospitals, residency programs, other medical schools. The benefit is I did night school 3 days a week rather than having to take up an entire full time undergrad semester for EMT school. I know I have no other choice so I'm going to be taking at least 2 gap years before applying to any med schools. e. These are all the extracurriculars I did over 7 years that were listed on AMCAS: research (probably 10-15 hours/week for 2. You can have a 4. Having your name on a paper or presenting at a conference can significantly strengthen your application. If you are lying about the activities you have listed, it will show in your interview. 0 GPA and 520+ MCAT but without some kind of interesting experience, your application will simply be tossed to the side. Without any extracurriculars, it is virtually impossible to get into med school. Mar 16, 2024 · Extracurricular activities offer medical schools a glimpse into who you are as a person, your personality, and character. Jan 18, 2022 · The Worst Extracurriculars for Medical School Pre-med student groups. Sep 2, 2023 · The Purpose of Extracurriculars—What Schools Look For. With everything in one place, you can easily showcase your commitment, compassion, and capabilities. In the gap, find a job to stabilize your finances for the application cycle and/or fill out your extracurricular activities. I did some shadowing but it If you love being involved in a surgery/EM/peds/whatever interest group or volunteering in a free clinic, go for it. for example I'm a nontrad in my 30s with minimal research experience (<100 hrs) but I also spent my past four years of undergrad working full-time nights in the ICU in a credentialed clinical position while taking 12-16 credits a semester. It's filled with engaging discussions on academics, extracurriculars, college prep, and social life. " The AAMC just published a brief that speaks to this topic a bit here. I had an interest in med for years but always told myself my executive dysfunction would screw me up in med school, so I have no med-related extracurriculars and don't take bio. Apr 24, 2023 · Your Med School Interview Is A Verification Process . Feb 1, 2015 · So I'm an newly-minted M2and I realize I have like zero extracurriculars. How many ECs have you all Apr 10, 2025 · Some universities or Medical schools may also request that you have certain extracurricular activities, such as a set number of hours spent volunteering in a health or care provision. Even with an exceptional GPA or MCAT score, having no extracurriculars is an indicator of a lack of commitment. I'm taking classes, realize that boards are ahead, and am involved in research, but have no participation in leadership activities like student gov, interest groups, etc like my classmates. When it comes to deciding on the best extracurricular activities for your medical school application, you might find yourself wondering which ones will impress admissions committees the most. That being said, they are significantly less important in your residency app than they were in your med school app. I'm applying this cycle to family medicine with decent board scores (high 220s step 1, 242 step 2 ck) but literally didn't participate outside of dealing with the grind of passing everything and home issues. . Feb 17, 2020 · The reason is I have dealt with mental health problems and it can be very hard for me to concentrate on multiple things such as work and school. Although it’s the fifth section of your application, your extracurriculars give admissions committees a sense of your May 10, 2023 · When applying to medical school, extracurricular activities can play a significant role in showcasing your interests, skills, and commitment to the field of medicine. I have traditionally been hyper-focused on my studies, and have neglected my involvement in volunteering and extracurriculars to maintain my GPA. ‍ 4. The Work and Activities section of your medical school application (extracurriculars) is the first place admissions committees look, along with your personal statement. don’t have a scattered goal. I mean I did some volunteering M1 year but after covid stopped doing it. It's also there so that you can say, "Hey, I'm interesting and have a life outside of school/work. Only do something extremely extraordinary if you are passionate about it. I know it probably sounds crazy to most med students, but I have basically 0 extracurriculars. I had no idea Feb 11, 2025 · Victor • 10/25/2021 11:04. What most people are saying here is some what correct. Showing that you understand the challenges of medical school (and medicine!) is important for pre-med applicants, and especially important for BS/MD applicants. Good luck! Nov 21, 2023 · Residency programs care about two things when it comes to med school extracurriculars: they want you to have interests inside and outside of medicine, and they want those interests to be genuine. Then we published Guide to the Medical School Personal Statement and then Guide to the MCAT, which is a collaboration with the Blueprint MCAT (formerly Next Step Test Prep). ). Dec 6, 2024 · Prepares you for the research-heavy nature of medical school Pro Tip: Seek opportunities to present or publish your research. Hobbies help applicants cultivate a sense of identity beyond academics and medicine. Adding a significant weekly Med schools do care about other extracurriculars and you have space to talk about them on your med apps. I think there's just a selection bias/perfect time to brag. While there is no specific checklist of required extracurriculars, here are some types of activities that can enhance your medical school application: Jan 20, 2025 · While academic achievements, clinical experiences, and other pre-med extracurriculars are essential parts of a medical school application, they do not fully capture who you are as a person. This mindset is prevalent across universities, and thus students inevitably align towards the same set of experiences: clinical research, hospital volunteering, pre-med club leadership, and advocacy. In my most recent article I discussed the importance of extracurricular activities in the medical school application. working/helping others). Premed students often hope that accomplishing specific premed extracurriculars guarantees a coveted acceptance into medical school. Feb 12, 2025 · (Note: This guide can also be found in our free, 102-page comprehensive guide to medical school applications, Get Into Medical School: 6 Practical Lessons to Stand Out and Earn Your White Coat, which includes additional Work and Activities examples that cannot be found anywhere else. However, it’s very likely that as you get a few more weeks/months into school, the studying won’t seem so overwhelming and you’ll have a little more free time, and you might wish you had signed up to be an interest group leader or class officer or something. While membership in pre-med groups such as AMSA and MAPS 2nd year premed here. I have 15. This is so they can ensure that you are aware of the hard work that goes into caring for others, and have the passion for helping those in need. I know that I'm at a big disadvantage, but I was just wondering if it's possible to match to a residency program without those things. It’s highly unlikely that you will be involved in an extracurricular activity that no med school applicant has pursued before. And the extracurriculars (ECs) actually come at the forefront of that book. I also have no friends so I'm not really sure who to talk to about this. jnsmbuub fdrno rxjxrn vvkox lgpqom vpkmxeo immx mgin klz rpcj