Extracurriculars? What would make me stand out?

[Lindsayvarkula]

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Hello!

I just finished my first year of undergraduate education and I was wondering what extracurriculars would make me stand out among other applicants later on.

I also want opinions on an internship I am currently participating in (whether to continue next summer, etc.). It is a summer research internship program through the Cleveland Clinic. I have participated in it for the past two years (in high school) and this summer will be my third time.. However, I will be a "peer mentor" this time. I still complete the research (which is initiated by a mentor: a physician, nurse, etc) however I will also be helping out and managing students that are new to the program.
The internship also includes a lot of clinical exposure/shadowing opportunities. I work 40 hr/wk and I would say 30 out of 40 of those hours is spent with a physician out in the field.

Since this internship is meant to be started in high school, but can be continued through college, I was wondering if medical schools would see it as being "juvenille".

ONE LAST THING (i promise!). My first semester I received a sub-par GPA... I got a 3.52. I recieved a B in both Biology and Chem. This semester I earned a 4.0 so my cumulative GPA is now a 3.78. I took 21 credit hours both semesters along with undergraduate research.
Although my GPA is making a recovery, will the B in chem and bio hurt my really bad in the long run?

Thank you for any and all help you can provide me! I really appreciate it.

 

[Barcu]

Hello!

I just finished my first year of undergraduate education and I was wondering what extracurriculars would make me stand out among other applicants later on.

I also want opinions on an internship I am currently participating in (whether to continue next summer, etc.). It is a summer research internship program through the Cleveland Clinic. I have participated in it for the past two years (in high school) and this summer will be my third time.. However, I will be a "peer mentor" this time. I still complete the research (which is initiated by a mentor: a physician, nurse, etc) however I will also be helping out and managing students that are new to the program.
The internship also includes a lot of clinical exposure/shadowing opportunities. I work 40 hr/wk and I would say 30 out of 40 of those hours is spent with a physician out in the field.

Since this internship is meant to be started in high school, but can be continued through college, I was wondering if medical schools would see it as being "juvenille".

ONE LAST THING (i promise!). My first semester I received a sub-par GPA... I got a 3.52. I recieved a B in both Biology and Chem. This semester I earned a 4.0 so my cumulative GPA is now a 3.78. I took 21 credit hours both semesters along with undergraduate research.
Although my GPA is making a recovery, will the B in chem and bio hurt my really bad in the long run?

Thank you for any and all help you can provide me! I really appreciate it.

Don't look for activities that make you "stand out." Look for activities that you enjoy, and then you can stand out. It's great to have some medical related experiences, some non-medical experiences, and some research if you can fit it all in. "Standing out" is not necessarily about finding unique experiences, but by really engaging your opportunities even if they sound like generic clinical activities (this will really come out in essays and interviews, start collecting anecdotes and specific examples).

Your program sounds great. Most people will say not to count high school activities, but you certainly can if it is continued through college. Plus, the new position will even be considered leadership experience, which will be great for you. Research is big for med schools, so this program is something you should keep doing. That is, unless you stop getting something out of it, which could happen.

The B in bio and chem will not hurt you if you get mostly A's in your remaining bio and chem classes. Don't stress about that.

 

[HAV000]

Don't look for activities that make you "stand out." Look for activities that you enjoy, and then you can stand out. It's great to have some medical related experiences, some non-medical experiences, and some research if you can fit it all in. "Standing out" is not necessarily about finding unique experiences, but by really engaging your opportunities even if they sound like generic clinical activities (this will really come out in essays and interviews, start collecting anecdotes and specific examples).

Your program sounds great. Most people will say not to count high school activities, but you certainly can if it is continued through college. Plus, the new position will even be considered leadership experience, which will be great for you. Research is big for med schools, so this program is something you should keep doing. That is, unless you stop getting something out of it, which could happen.

The B in bio and chem will not hurt you if you get mostly A's in your remaining bio and chem classes. Don't stress about that.

👍

 

[Lindsayvarkula]

thanks so much you guys! I think I will end up applying for other internships next year, but I will still apply for the one I am in for "backup". Anyway, I also was wondering about whether med schools care about things like orchestra. I've played violin for about 13 years now and I've participated in several orchestras throughout my life (including college too!.. I'm actually a music minor). Should I include that stuff on my application too?

 

[Barcu]

thanks so much you guys! I think I will end up applying for other internships next year, but I will still apply for the one I am in for "backup". Anyway, I also was wondering about whether med schools care about things like orchestra. I've played violin for about 13 years now and I've participated in several orchestras throughout my life (including college too!.. I'm actually a music minor). Should I include that stuff on my application too?

Definitely include that.

 

[kexy]

thanks so much you guys! I think I will end up applying for other internships next year, but I will still apply for the one I am in for "backup". Anyway, I also was wondering about whether med schools care about things like orchestra. I've played violin for about 13 years now and I've participated in several orchestras throughout my life (including college too!.. I'm actually a music minor). Should I include that stuff on my application too?

Some of the clinical volunteering programs I've participated in have wanted volunteers who play musical instruments to participate in musical therapy programs. That's something kind of "unique" you could look into, which seems like a good combination of your interests.

 

[Lindsayvarkula]

i will definitely look into that! I think its a great idea.. It'll allow me to explore both fields together 🙂