4th Year Activities

[IOwnAndPwnU]

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I'm in my final year of undergrad and now that I'm applying for med school, I thought it would be a good idea to get some advice on what to do during the year to actually help me get into med school. Practice for any interviews? Work on weaknesses in application (e.g. I'm low in volunteering, so maybe I should start volunteering more? Even if it's short term...)? Prepare to improve application for next year in case I don't get in this year?

Any ideas would be appreciated, thanks!

 

[Catalystik]

I'm in my final year of undergrad and now that I'm applying for med school, I thought it would be a good idea to get some advice on what to do during the year to actually help me get into med school. Practice for any interviews? Work on weaknesses in application (e.g. I'm low in volunteering, so maybe I should start volunteering more? Even if it's short term...)? Prepare to improve application for next year in case I don't get in this year?

Any ideas would be appreciated, thanks!

-Keep your GPA high.
-Maintain stress-reliving activities, like exercise
-Consider opening a credit card with travel benefits
-Clean up your credit if it's less than pristine
-Avoid legal issues and Institutional Action

and as you suggested:
-Maintain/add pertinent activities for the sake of Secondary essays, update letters (where allowed) and in case of re-application
-Mock interviews, perhaps through your school's Career Center

 

[NotASerialKiller]

-Keep your GPA high.
-Maintain stress-reliving activities, like exercise
-Consider opening a credit card with travel benefits
-Clean up your credit if it's less than pristine
-Avoid legal issues and Institutional Action

and as you suggested:
-Maintain/add pertinent activities for the sake of Secondary essays, update letters (where allowed) and in case of re-application
-Mock interviews, perhaps through your school's Career Center

You should definitely prioritize strengthening your application over practicing interviews. You'll have time for that next year, you don't want to tone down your ECs for the sake of practicing for an interview you might not get if your ECs are weak.

 

[IOwnAndPwnU]

You should definitely prioritize strengthening your application over practicing interviews. You'll have time for that next year, you don't want to tone down your ECs for the sake of practicing for an interview you might not get if your ECs are weak.

To clarify -- when you say next year, do you mean after this application cycle (e.g. 2017 entry), or early 2016 before interviews (e.g. Jan 2016)?

 

[IOwnAndPwnU]

-Keep your GPA high.
-Maintain stress-reliving activities, like exercise
-Consider opening a credit card with travel benefits
-Clean up your credit if it's less than pristine
-Avoid legal issues and Institutional Action

and as you suggested:
-Maintain/add pertinent activities for the sake of Secondary essays, update letters (where allowed) and in case of re-application
-Mock interviews, perhaps through your school's Career Center

Not entirely sure if that was a joke, but if not, what's the reason behind this?

Yes, definitely right, I will be upping my ECs this year (especially volunteering), also with the hopes of improving my soft skills (which should also help my interviewing skills!).

 

[snowflakes]

Not entirely sure if that was a joke, but if not, what's the reason behind this?

Yes, definitely right, I will be upping my ECs this year (especially volunteering), also with the hopes of improving my soft skills (which should also help my interviewing skills!).

Probably because some people end up flying a lot for interviews, and a credit card with travel benefits can help offset some of that cost.

 

[Catalystik]

Probably because some people end up flying a lot for interviews, and a credit card with travel benefits can help offset some of that cost.

Exactly. If you are booking a lot of flights and staying in hotels you can get cash off future airflight purchases. Consumer Reports magazine had a good article recently detailing the benefits of the top recommended cards with this focus. Theoretically, if you mainly stick with one airline and get frequent flyer miles (after you sign up for this program), you might get a free flight out of it, as well.

 

[NotASerialKiller]

To clarify -- when you say next year, do you mean after this application cycle (e.g. 2017 entry), or early 2016 before interviews (e.g. Jan 2016)?

I just meant that keeping up your GPA and doing as much volunteering as you can should be your priority during this upcoming academic year. After April 2016 you'll be done with school and have a lot more free time even if you're working etc. While there's nothing wrong with preparing for interviews early, it definitely shouldn't encroach on the other things listed. Your earliest interview would be fall of 2016, you'd have plenty of time for prep if you didn't start until after school is over.

 

[Wiesal]

Try to enjoy yourself, so you don't become a lifeless soul. 😉

 

[IOwnAndPwnU]

Thanks for the advice everyone!