Extra Curriculars

First of all, most overseas volunteer work done by undergrads costs a lot of money (a few thousand dollars). While I agree with you that some of these opportunities sound cool, I never did one b/c what really matters is not how well-suited you are for the position, but whether you can pay. If you can pay, I've heard from several people that there are some worthwhile organizations out there, but if you can't, you can do similar work in the US.

Secondly, people get "prestigious" positions once they have relevant experience. So, start with research or volunteering or whatever through your college, and when you apply for outside internships, you'll have a better chance of getting one.

Check out idealist.org for some cool volunteering, internship, and fellowship opportunities, and try not to feel like you need to start at the top. Congrats on a successful first semester.

 

Good job on the 4.0. Start off with something small and work your way up top.

 

Gosh, you obviously have the grades going for you so far. Just a note, don't freak out if you don't always get a 4.0....I didn't and I already have an acceptance in hand!

What I would say to you is just to do what you are genuinely interested in. I actually didn't have the means or time to do any hardcore work overseas or around my school but I got involved with things I love and it helped me to excel in all of them and gain recognition for things I didn't mind doing at all. They weren't anything crazy - coaching youth water polo for my hometown, teaching science lessons to a first grade class every Thursday, joining a peer mentoring program for other transfers at my college, etc. Nothing big, but things that show an interest in helping people at a sincere, simple level.

Have fun with college and your volunteering! Remember prestige is in the eye of the beholder when it comes to volunteering....working with my little 8 years olds in the pool 3 days a week and seeing them smile is extremely worthy and prestigious to me....and obviously from my acceptance and multiple interviews, med schools agree!

 

To help the OP out, I do agree that don't get cocky and involved only in the "prestigious" EC's, you have to do what you're passionate about because that is what will matter in your interviews.

That being said, there's tons of resources out there to find something that interests you. If your school has an internship center or a pre-med advisor, I would start there, they can direct you to places you can look for summer research programs, volunteer opportunities in your community, and possibly clinical or research experience at your school. I know the NIH has some undergrad summer research programs available, as well as many medical schools. You'll have to do some looking around because several require you to have completed courses in microbio or other things you might not have had. Also, despite what people say on here about medical mission trips abroad, they are an AMAZING experience and you can get it funded by putting in some effort to get sponsors, etc. I went to Africa this summer, and yes, it definitely cost way more $$ than I could afford, but if you really want it you can make it happen (some schools have funding for internships abroad as well, although mine didn't.) Some programs I've heard of (although you have to do a ton of research) are Child Family Health International, International Service Learning, and Project Compassion. There are MANY more out there, so do your research! Good luck!

 

I have had an internship for the past 1.5 years at a pharmaceutical company doing actual medicinal chemistry. It is quite interesting to see how actual drug R&D is really done. All the work I have done has been very important too. Some of the data from the experimental compounds I have made have opened up new directions that the company has become very interested in. How did I get this internship? All I had to do was respond to an email that the Chemistry department forwarded to all the students. If you just look right under your nose a lot of good stuff is probably there. Ask around at your school.

 

you said you're looking for some "prestigious" ECs?

I recommend you do anything you like to do. Don't just do them because they're standard or cliche. Find something you love and get really involved with 'em. For example, if you're into Krumping (very prestigious), start a club for it at your college and be the president!

 

Krumping?

 

your college or university probably has resources to help you...do you have a career services center, or some mailing list for summer internships or volunteering opportunities? you can often google stuff and end up with lists of opportunities listed by other schools or just generic websites. this is how i found all of my summer internships.

good luck, and just have fun with your activities!

 

Krumping!!!