The Best Premed Extracurriculars to Boost Your Application

When it comes to preparing for medical school, excelling in academics is just one piece of the puzzle. Admissions committees also look for well-rounded individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to their community and a passion for healthcare. However, sometimes it can be hard to discern which premed extracurriculars are actually worthwhile to use your bandwidth on. Here are some of the best premed extracurriculars that can help bolster your application.

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Clinical Volunteering

Clinical volunteering is crucial for premeds as it provides hands-on experience in a healthcare setting, allowing them to witness the realities of patient care and interact with diverse patient populations. These insightful experiences provide a firsthand look into the healthcare field. It can also help aspiring medical students develop empathy, communication skills, and an understanding of the challenges faced by both patients and healthcare professionals. Additionally, clinical volunteering offers premeds the opportunity to observe various medical specialties, which will help in refining their career aspirations and gaining insight into different facets of the healthcare industry. Moreover, it showcases an applicant’s commitment to serving others and can significantly strengthen their medical school applications.

In the context of applying to medical school, clinical volunteering stands out as one of the best activities for premeds because it allows students to build necessary clinical hours and experiences. These direct patient interaction provides a unique perspective on healthcare delivery and cultivates attributes such as adaptability, resilience, and cultural competence, all of which are integral for success in the field of medicine. These qualities will eventually be important to reflect upon in the medical school personal statement and supplements.

Types of Clinical Volunteering

• Hospital or medical center volunteering
• Nursing home
• Hospice
• Free clinics
• Hotline volunteering
• EMT

Community Service

Contrary to clinical volunteering, students should also engage in community service initiatives. This can showcases your commitment to giving back and addressing societal needs. Whether it’s organizing health fairs, leading tutoring programs, or participating in service trips, your impact can reflect your dedication to making a difference.

By actively participating in community service initiatives, premeds gain a deeper understanding of the social challenges faced by diverse populations, ultimately shaping them into more well-rounded and socially conscious future healthcare professionals. Furthermore, such experiences allow premeds to cultivate essential communication and leadership skills while fostering meaningful connections within the community, all of which are highly beneficial for their personal and professional development on the path to becoming successful physicians.

Types of Community Services For Premeds

• Assisting with health education and outreach programs
• Serving at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen
• Participating in medical mission trips
• Supporting community health fairs and screenings
• Mentoring and tutoring children in underserved areas
• Organizing blood drives or health-related awareness campaigns
• Partnering with organizations focused on mental health advocacy
• Providing aid during natural disasters or humanitarian crises

Research

Involvement in scientific research not only sharpens your critical thinking and problem-solving skills but also showcases your interest in advancing medical knowledge. While research is certainly not necessary to apply for medical school, it can bolster your application. For research focused schools (many which are T20 medical schools), they will want to see productivity or interest in research.

Premed students have the flexibility to conduct research in a wide range of topics. While clinical research is a beneficial suggestion, premed students can explore various disciplines such as public health, biomedical engineering, epidemiology, or even social sciences. Diverse research topics not only broaden their understanding, but also cultivate a holistic approach to healthcare. Personally, I love clinical research as it provides both hands-on experience in patient care and opportunities to observe how research has a direct influence on medicine. Seek out research assistant positions or internships at university labs, medical institutions, or major research facilities. Be wary of “internships” at smaller independent companies, especially when the internship costs thousands of dollars.

Research Publications

While the number of research hours and overall length of time you spend in lab matters, communicating your findings demonstrates a thorough understanding of your research. There are ways to do this. Presenting a poster at a conference is a great way to showcase your research, even if you have preliminary results. Alternatively, publishing is often a stronger way to show your productivity in your lab.

There are different types of research publications though. Most premeds enter a la with the hope of publishing their work, but most wet labs actually have long term projects that require several years (like upwards of 5 years) before the data is ready to be publish. Some easier ways to publish are case reports or literature reviews.

Types of Research Activities For Premeds

• Biomedical Research
• Bioengineering
• Clinical Research
• Biotechnology Research
• Artificial Intelligence
• Public Health/ Health Policy
• Chemistry/ Physics
• Poster Presentations
• Case Reports (for publication)
• Literature Reviews (for publication)

Physician shadowing

Physician shadowing is an absolute must for medical school applicants. Whether shadowing a family medicine physician, surgeon, or psychiatrist, immersing yourself in the day-to-day activities of a physician provides unparalleled insight into the medical profession. The type of shadowing you choose to do does not matter.

Shadowing allows you to see the realities of healthcare, understand the daily responsibilities of doctors, and confirm your career choice. By observing different specialties, premeds can gain a comprehensive understanding of the diverse roles within healthcare. Moreover, physician shadowing offers the opportunity to witness the practical application of medical knowledge, honing observational skills and fostering a deeper appreciation for the complexities of patient care.

Prior to entering medical school, premeds should aim to gain a multifaceted understanding of healthcare delivery. Beyond merely observing clinical procedures, premeds can glean firsthand knowledge of physician-patient interactions, ethical dilemmas, and the intricate dynamics of healthcare teams. Working with patients can also help premeds develop a sense of empathy and cultural competence. Ultimately, physician shadowing provides a realistic perspective of the medical profession and an opportunity solidify the commitment to a career dedicated to healing and compassionate care.

Leadership

Leadership is important for premeds for several reasons. For patient care, leadership skills are crucial for effectively managing medical teams and ensuring optimal patient care. Premeds who demonstrate strong leadership abilities are better prepared for future roles in guiding and supervising healthcare teams. Engaging in leadership roles allows fosters critical skills such as conflict resolution, which is integral to their success as future healthcare professionals.

To gain leadership experience, seek opportunities within your academic and extracurricular spheres. Taking on leadership positions in premed societies, student government, or volunteer organizations can provide invaluable experience in decision-making, communication, and teamwork. By spearheading initiatives, organizing events, or leading projects, you can refine your ability to inspire and guide others to prepare for their future roles as physicians.

Pursuing internships or research opportunities with a leadership component can further augment your skill set. These opportunities will preparing you for the multifaceted challenges you may encounter in their medical careers. This not only develops your personal and professional growth, but also contributes to the improvement of healthcare systems and patient outcomes.

Ways to get involved in leadership

• Passion projects
• Volunteer at a local hospital or clinic and take on leadership roles within the organization.
• Join pre-medical clubs or organizations and pursue leadership positions such as president or committee chair.
• Take on leadership roles in community service organizations or non-profits, demonstrating your ability to lead and engage with diverse groups.
• Seek out research opportunities and eventually take on a leadership role within a research team.
• Pursue internships or part-time jobs in healthcare or related fields, and strive to take on supervisory or leadership responsibilities.

Tutoring and Mentoring

Tutoring or mentoring peers in challenging subjects is a valuable premed extracurricular activity. It not only demonstrates your academic strength but also showcases your ability to effectively communicate complex ideas and help others succeed. This kind of engagement underscores your commitment to education and community, while also honing your communication and leadership skills. Additionally, it provides hands-on experience in teaching and can deepen your understanding of the subjects you tutor, enhancing your overall academic proficiency.

However, it is common for premed students to engage in tutoring or mentorships within their own schools. The impact of your knowledge and experiences can extend far beyond the confines of educational institutions. By offering tutoring services or mentorships to the wider community, premeds have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who may have limited access to academic support. This not only enriches the community as a whole but also provides premeds with a chance to develop crucial interpersonal and leadership skills that will serve them well in their future medical careers. Many of my accepted BS/MD students and premeds have started their own virtual tutoring services that serve their surrounding communities or underfunded districts.

Global Health Experiences

Participating in medical outreach programs or international healthcare missions can demonstrate cultural competence, adaptability, and a broader understanding of healthcare disparities – all of which are valuable attributes in a future physician.

Engaging with diverse communities across different continents can expose you to unique healthcare challenges and enrich your perspectives on culturally sensitive patient care. Whether it was assisting in rural clinics in South America or participating in public health campaigns in Southeast Asia, these experiences can instill a deep sense of cultural humility.

Observing and contributing to healthcare systems in varied socio-economic environments may also help students understand adaptable and resourceful approaches in healthcare delivery. These experiences important for those who are interested in advocating for healthcare equity both domestically and internationally.

However, some global health experiences can be predatory. The University of Minnesota hosts a workshop for those preparing for volunteer experience abroad.

Hobbies

One way to stand out among the pool of applicants is by showcasing a diverse range of hobbies and interests. Beyond your achievements, admissions committees want to see that you’re a real person. Engaging in hobbies suggests a balanced approach to life and indicates the potential for exceptional time management skills, a crucial trait for success in medical school. Whether it’s playing a musical instrument, engaging in sports, or volunteering within the community, hobbies add depth to a medical school application, setting candidates apart and making them more memorable to admissions officers.

Like your extracurricular activities, hobbies should have some uniqueness to them. If you play music, perhaps you enjoy performing monthly at a local eatery. Some athletes have interesting hobbies such bouldering or pickleball. One of my students crochets hats for premie babies. Your hobbies can essentially be anything of interests to you, and perhaps even turned into a passion project.

Certifications

I often get asked about whether obtaining certifications such as EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) or CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) is worth the time. These activities can significantly enhance a premed student’s application to medical school, as they provide valuable insight into the realities of the medical field.

However, these certifications can be expensive and time consuming. If possible, I recommend medical assisting or scribing at a free clinic, community clinic, or emergency room. If those options are unavailable to you, then EMT or CNA can be great alternatives to getting hands on experience.

Final Thoughts

The best premed extracurriculars still depend on quality trumps quantity. Admissions committees seek genuine, meaningful involvement rather than a laundry list of superficial engagements. Choose activities that resonate with your interests, values, and long-term goals, and pursue them with dedication and passion. In doing so, you’ll not only enhance your medical school application but also lay the foundation for a fulfilling and impactful career in healthcare.