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The 2026-2027 DO School Specific Threads are now available in the School Specific Discussions forum. The 2025-2026 discussions are now available in the prior year discussions forum.
Extra curriculurs
Started by same21
What else should you do? Find other non-medical things that interest you and pursue them. Have something fun to talk about when they ask you "What kind of hobbies do you enjoy?" during your interview.
Number of hours? Try to do at least 5-10 per week over the course of at least a few months. More if possible, if you're getting something worthwhile out of the experience.
A LOR is good to get from a DO, since some schools require one. You don't need a time sheet though.
Hope this helps!
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The bear speak the truth.
In my experience, schools want to see that you committed to something you enjoy and pursued it thoroughly.
Do you need some exposure to the medical field? Yes.
Does this exposure have to fit the typically accepted premed mold? No.
Can you have other activities, unrelated to medicine, that take up more time that your shadowing/volunteering/etc? Yes.
For example: You could shadow a doctor or two for a few hours each week for several months, and you could spend 20 hours a week teaching dance class. This won't make you a weaker candidate than the student who only shadowed...it just makes you a different candidate.
So, like Chocolate Bear said, "Find other non-medical things that interest you and pursue them. Have something fun to talk about when they ask you "What kind of hobbies do you enjoy?" during your interview."
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Interesting. I devote much of my time doing the medical ECs, that I have no time for the non-medically related stuff that I enjoy...
Shadowing a DO doctor is required for certain schools, while for others it's optional. So, research if the school you're interested in requires LOR from a osteopathic physician. If so, your time is best spent on shadowing a DO.
Also, one of my summers, I did a medical mission and that was very fun and exciting. I got to meet many people/doctors/health care workers. In fact, I got close to one of the doctors during the trip and i consider him to be my mentor, even till today.
Also, one of my summers, I did a medical mission and that was very fun and exciting. I got to meet many people/doctors/health care workers. In fact, I got close to one of the doctors during the trip and i consider him to be my mentor, even till today.
Do something YOU want. Por jemplo...
I play lacrosse collegiately, volunteer with the Surfrider Foundation for beach cleanups, snowboard, surf, blah, blah. They're ALL extracurriculars. What makes them effective on an application is if they truly appeal to you. Passion will come through in an interview. And passion is what admissions wants to see.
I play lacrosse collegiately, volunteer with the Surfrider Foundation for beach cleanups, snowboard, surf, blah, blah. They're ALL extracurriculars. What makes them effective on an application is if they truly appeal to you. Passion will come through in an interview. And passion is what admissions wants to see.
You don't have to just necessarily volunteer at a hospital if you don't want. Do something that benefits society (Habitat for Humanity, March of Dimes, etc...) They want to see that you have a passion for helping others because, well, that's a must for doctors! For example, some volunteer work I've done are: organizing run/walk events to benefit hospital programs, teaching cpr, being a camp counselor for disadvantaged kids. Check with your college for different opportunities.
But what others have said is also important, and that's to do something interesting, fun, or unique from other applicants.
one more thing, whatever you decide to do..try not to do them in the year that you are applying. It will just look like you're trying to beef up your resume (which is probably true if that is the case) You should have done your ECs for at least 2 years, and the more years the better because it shows dedication.
But what others have said is also important, and that's to do something interesting, fun, or unique from other applicants.
one more thing, whatever you decide to do..try not to do them in the year that you are applying. It will just look like you're trying to beef up your resume (which is probably true if that is the case) You should have done your ECs for at least 2 years, and the more years the better because it shows dedication.
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Well, I'm not going to have any research experience. I couldn't think of a worse hell.
Research in the lab sucks more balls than I can count. But I'm in-between MS1 and MS2 right now, and doing some clinical research (in the ED at Grady), and I'm loving it.
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