2nd semester freshman here...when do I "start"?

[Chris127]

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I am currently in my 2nd semester of undergrad. Keeping GPA/MCAT aside, when do I need to start building my resume for med school?

I understand that research, shadowing MDs, etc will make an app more appealing. When should I start getting involved in all of this? I have already decided to dedicate my summer to taking Orgo I. When did all of you get a jump on all of this? Anyone have an recomendations on who to speak with, what to do, where to look, and when to get going with all of this?

 

[wildcatbio06]

Start at least looking for research and shadowing/volunteer opportunities. The more you have the better off your application will be. Being in the early stage you are in look for good experiences, you have some time to be picky. I started my research experience during winter session of my sophomore year and did a shadow experience with an othopedic surgeon that following summer. But the more you do the more you will have to talk about in essays and in interviews. One thing that really helped me as well was keeping a pseudo journal during my research and shadow experience. I am not one to write stuff down but it really helped when it came time to write essays and prepare for interviews becuase they will ask you some pretty minute details. That's my two cents, hope it helps.

 

[Sondra]

When I started college, I was told by the pre med advisor to pick one or two clubs/societies to join and be really active in them. I felt this really helped me. I had broad experiences in the soicety I joined, and I talked a lot about them on my AMCAS.

 

[theblastopore]

I am currently in my 2nd semester of undergrad. Keeping GPA/MCAT aside, when do I need to start building my resume for med school?

I understand that research, shadowing MDs, etc will make an app more appealing. When should I start getting involved in all of this? I have already decided to dedicate my summer to taking Orgo I. When did all of you get a jump on all of this? Anyone have an recomendations on who to speak with, what to do, where to look, and when to get going with all of this?

I would say the sooner you start, the better off you are

 

[TX515]

If I were you, I would get a job as a student assistant for a researcher so you can get paid and get research experience. I would also volunteer at a local hospital at least once every week from now until you are accepted.

 

[jebus]

Now. Stop reading this. Get in a club, now, so that you can be the leader of the ultimate frisbee/lovers of anime/porn watchers anonymous club in a few years. Get leadership experience.
Start shadowing next week - or just really soon. Volunteer in a clinic-like place the week after that. Go to the university's hospital volunteering office. Check their website for information about it. Stop by the office after class one day (Monday) and sign up for an information session. Seriously, start soon. Get in the habit of wasting a couple of hours on Saturdays doing things other than sleeping in. Volunteer in the ER on Saturdays. If you're lucky a pimp will come in who got kicked in the balls by one of his hoes. It will teach you when and where the appropriate places are to laugh about funny sh¡t that happens to patients.
Start to set up research things for the summer now. Or for the fall now. Do one of the two. Just start to email strange professors and tell them you're interested in their research and want to work/volunteer in their labs. If you're eligible for work study mention it. You're free labor if you do that.

 

[Bikeage]

might also want to check at your school if the have a pre-med club

 

[thedelicatessen]

It's never too early to gain experience. Just make sure that it fits in your schedule. Volunteering can be structured in scheduling, and research may require very flexible hours to go with the experiments. Whatever you choose to do, just enjoy it for what it is and not for how much it adds to your resume. Savor the moment! Good luck!