Gaining admission into a BS/MD (Bachelor of Science/Doctor of Medicine) program is a challenging feat. These accelerated combined degree tracks allow students to seamlessly continue onto medical school after completing their undergrad requirements, saving both time and money. However, with acceptance rates even more competitive than many elite universities, BS/MD applicants must go above and beyond in displaying their commitment to a career as a physician.
While stellar grades and MCAT scores will always be the foundation of a successful BS/MD application, admissions committees also critically evaluate an applicant’s extracurricular activities and experiences. The right mix of extracurriculars can help demonstrate qualities like passion for medicine, leadership abilities, selflessness through community service, and hands-on experience in clinical settings. In this blog, we’ll uncover the top 10 extracurricular activities you should strongly consider pursuing as a BS/MD applicant.
Top 10 extracurriculars for the BS/MD applicant
Having the right extracurricular activities can make all the difference in your BS/MD application. Let’s take a look below at the extracurricular activities that can help you be a top BS/MD applicant.
Clinical exposure
Gaining firsthand experience in a medical setting is crucial for prospective BS/MD students. Clinical exposure involves direct interaction with patients and healthcare professionals in a healthcare setting. Consider volunteering at a hospital, working as an EMT, or serving as a medical scribe. For example, volunteering in a hospital offers valuable experience in the fast-paced triage of acute patients. It provides opportunities for active participation in patient care, while serving as a medical scribe can offer a more observational role, focusing on documenting patient interactions and medical procedures.
Research experience
Developing research skills can also set you apart from other BS/MD applicants. Seek out lab positions, independent study projects, or summer research programs. Working as an undergraduate researcher in a biochemistry lab, for instance, can introduce you to techniques like gel electrophoresis and PCR. Programs like the Amherst Summer Research Intensive offer valuable hands-on experience. If you can publish your findings, it’s a significant advantage!
Physician shadowing
Shadowing physicians involves observing medical professionals as they go about their daily work, offering a close-up view of different medical specialties. This experience helps you understand various career paths within medicine. You can shadow a family physician to learn the importance of patient interaction and bedside manner or by observe an ER doctor to see the ability to stay calm under pressure. Shadowing different specialties provides a broad perspective on the medical field and can help you determine your areas of interest.
Volunteer work
Volunteer work demonstrates your commitment to helping others even beyond the realm of medicine. Volunteering in medical settings, such as free clinics or health outreach programs, allows you to impact patient care and understand healthcare challenges directly. Additionally, participating in community service activities, like working at a food bank, helps you grasp the difficulties faced by underserved populations. This combination of medical volunteering and broader community service will demonstrate your empathy, leadership, and a holistic understanding of societal needs in your BS/MD application.
Competitive summer programs
Participating in specialized summer programs focused on healthcare can deepen your knowledge and passion for the field and elevate your application profile. Programs like Penn’s Biomedical Research Academy and the Stanford Medical Youth Science Program offer labs, clinical rotations, physician-led seminars, and mock patient cases.
Academic competitions
Involvement in academic competitions can additionally highlight your quick thinking and problem-solving abilities, making you a more competitive BS/MD applicant. Participating in biology or chemistry olympiads, or case study competitions such as the Yale Research Scholars Case Competition, challenges you to analyze complex medical scenarios.
Leadership roles
Demonstrating leadership through roles in student government or health-related clubs can significantly enhance your application. These positions allow you to showcase your organizational skills, ability to lead, and commitment to your school community. For instance, serving as president of the Health Sciences Club not only involves coordinating events and meetings but also shows your dedication to fostering a supportive environment for peers interested in healthcare careers.
Health-related internships
Internships in healthcare administration or policy provide valuable insight into the broader healthcare system. These experiences allow you to understand the operational and policy aspects of medicine. For example, interning at a healthcare consulting firm or a public health organization can expose you to the complexities of healthcare management and policy-making, enhancing your understanding of the field beyond clinical practice.
International medical missions
Participating in international medical missions or global health projects demonstrates your commitment to healthcare on a global scale. These experiences expose you to diverse medical practices and healthcare challenges in different cultural contexts. For instance, joining a medical mission to a rural area in a developing country can deepen your understanding of global health issues and the importance of cultural competence in medical practice.
Public health initiatives
Engaging in public health initiatives highlights your dedication to preventive medicine and public health. Organizing health fairs, vaccination drives, or awareness campaigns can showcase your ability to plan and execute programs that benefit the community. For example, coordinating a local vaccination drive not only helps protect public health but also demonstrates your leadership, organizational skills, and commitment to community service.
Key takeaways and moving forward
Extracurricular activities are a vital component of a competitive BS/MD application. As you see, the one thing that all of the extracurriculars listed have in common is that they all help you gain exposure to the medical field. Each contributes to your understanding of the profession and demonstrates your commitment to a career in medicine.
Moving forward, it’s essential to be strategic in selecting your extracurricular activities to build a standout BS/MD application. For further guidance on how to strengthen your BS/MD application, connect with one of our experts who can help you navigate this competitive process.
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