Getting A Leg Up.

[StritchMD2011]

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I'm about to start my undergrad days at Creighton University. I'm incredibly excited to get going with college, as everyone says it's the best four years of your life. I've been reading this forum quite often and I've gained a ton of knowledge about getting into med school that I'm sure will aid me when the time comes, however, I'm here to ask for more help. I'm very serious about becoming a doctor and I realize that medical school admissions can be a crap shoot, so I'm looking for every possible advantage. What are some tips that you more experienced folks can offer to this soon to be pre-med that will help me stand out to medical schools in the near future? Mind you, I'm not that nerdy kid who sits in his room and is way too concerned about grades. I intend to have both fun at school and to be successful. Aside from getting involved in a variety of activities and getting good grades, what are some small things that can make a big difference to the admissions committees? Thanks in advance!

 

[idq1i]

First, RELAX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You are at least 3 years away from the pain and suffering that the application process is.

Universal recommendation:
+Do not ever take courses just to impress the future adcoms.
+Do keep relevant textbooks (genchem, orgo, physics). they will help you study for the MCAT.
+Do make yourself known to professors whose classes you are doing well in. This will help with the LORs.
+Do start volunteering in the medical field early. This will give you opportunity to fluff up your future application, while giving you the opportunity to truly evaluate your desire to become an MD.
+Freshman year in college DOES count (gradewise), so don't slack off. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. They are lying.
+Do not ever listen to people who tell you what the ideal profile of an "acceptee" is (ie. less than A in orgo=no acceptance, must have B+ or higher in physics...). These people are full of it.

 

[PittMD911]

Personally, the best thing i've ever done as far as my future medical career goes is get EMT certified. It is GREAT exposure to the field, and a good way to master basic skills (vitals, pt assesment etc.). Theres a kid who used to ride on my corps who was all ready to go to med school............and then he saw blood. the healthcare field isn't for everyone, so my advise is to get as much exposure to it EARLY. Its a huge committment, so know what your getting yourself into.

 

[FutureDoctor19]

how long does it take to get emt certified? how old were u when u got accepted to med school pittmd?

 

[PittMD911]

I did my EMT cert in 6 months during my Jr. year of highschool. Its about 120 hrs of training. Alas, I'm not in medschool yet (fingers perpetually crossed), sorry if i gave that impression. I love being an EMT. If medics made a decently living, I would be a medic for the rest of my life and be content. However a family can't be raised well on a medics salary. plus I'm an adrenaline junkie, which is why i'm gunning for the ED.

 

[StritchMD2011]

Thanks for all the info PittMD. I don't want to give the freaked out nervous impression that you seem to think I have. I'm a really calm person and I'm just trying to gain some information that will give me the upper hand. I want to know the things that the typical freshman doesn't so that I can avoid mistakes and do the correct things. Like I said, I plan on getting the best of both worlds in college, fun and an education.

 

[shikantaza]

BKadow... i think most of the suggestions here are good, but i think medically-related volunteer experiences are the most overrated experiences that people tend to bring up in this forum... you just need to make sure you have a demonstrable reason(s) why you've chosen medicine... if you have that, continue to do medically related stuff if that's what you love... otherwise, just do other things, non-medically related volunteer experiences, etc... do anything else you love that will incidentally help you round out and diversify some medical school class... i had only one semester of volunteer experience in medicine, and that was never an issue in any of my interviews, simply because i explained how that one experience led me to choose medicine... right or wrong aside, i think adcoms love to see applicants who show through their experiences that there is more to their life than a love of medicine... hope that helps a little...