How can I set myself up for success in med school and beyond?

[X0001234]

I'm an incoming M1 at a T20, and am tentatively interested in a few hyper-competitive specialties (as well as some less competitive specialties—neurology and psychiatry both seem very attractive). I'm well-aware that my interests may change throughout the course of medical school, but I want to set myself up for success as early as possible if I do decide to apply to really competitive specialties in the future. I have a few questions:

Is there anything I can do over the next few months to create a strong foundation for pre-clinical courses? I've heard the pre-clinical curriculum is like drinking from a firehose, and I'm particularly worried considering I'll have been removed from science coursework for over two years by the time I matriculate (took two gap years).

How are extracurriculars valued in assessing residency applications? I feel my ECs were a huge aspect of my med school application, and I'm wondering if it's even possible to keep up the same level of extracurricular involvement while trying to learn high-volume preclinical content in M1/M2 and trying to honor clerkships in M2/M3.

Thanks in advance!

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[LunaOri]

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[Goro]

I'm an incoming M1 at a T20, and am tentatively interested in a few hyper-competitive specialties (as well as some less competitive specialties—neurology and psychiatry both seem very attractive). I'm well-aware that my interests may change throughout the course of medical school, but I want to set myself up for success as early as possible if I do decide to apply to really competitive specialties in the future. I have a few questions:

Is there anything I can do over the next few months to create a strong foundation for pre-clinical courses? I've heard the pre-clinical curriculum is like drinking from a firehose, and I'm particularly worried considering I'll have been removed from science coursework for over two years by the time I matriculate (took two gap years).

How are extracurriculars valued in assessing residency applications? I feel my ECs were a huge aspect of my med school application, and I'm wondering if it's even possible to keep up the same level of extracurricular involvement while trying to learn high-volume preclinical content in M1/M2 and trying to honor clerkships in M2/M3.

Thanks in advance!

Read this:
Goro's Guide to Success in Medical School (2024 edition)