Questions as an incoming M1

[magician7772222]

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As a pre-med I started very far behind on my extracurriculars and grade-wise and would like to avoid having to play catch-up as a med student.

I am primarily unsure of what kind of extracurriculars are expected of us for residency apps. I am planning on joining a psychiatry interest group as that is the specialty I am currently mostly interested in. A research project is mandatory at my school so I am assuming I won't need to do anything extra pertaining to that. Are we also expected to volunteer during our time in school in a similar manner as we were expected to as premeds?

I'm also curious as to how pass/fail grading works in regard to residency apps. My school is H/HP/P/Fail so I am wondering if the grading system should be treated like it was in undergrad, always aiming for an A/H or if it would be acceptable to simply focus on passing the courses, getting Honors/High pass where possible?

 

[operaman]

Thankfully med school isn’t as nuts as premed.

For ECs, research is the only one that truly matters, and how much depends on the field. It’s important both in its own right, and for the connections you make within your home department.

Beyond that, they aren’t as important other than to say you probably want to show you’ve done something outside classes. My typical advice is to do ECs you actually like and care about. My med school ECs look almost exactly like my ECs now as an attending. Most students join an interest group for their specialty, maybe do a free clinic now and again, and then whatever else interests them.

As always, classes come first. Med school takes more time than UG - basically full time job hours of study. You won’t have nearly the hours free you did in UG.

For grades, aim as high as you can but it’s not as insane as UG gpa expectations. My general rule is go full out at the beginning and see what kind of grades your most insane best effort will get you. After that, titrate to sanity. If your best effort lands you near perfect scores you can probably dial it back a bit and have more balance. If your very best is barely passing, then buckle up for a busy few years. How much grades matter varies by field like everything else, so best to do your best so you have options.

 

[Hollow Knight]

a shocking amount of US MD students are failing board exams these days. I say that simply to say-your professors will tell you just to do well in your med school classes and all will be OK, and 15 years ago that was the case, but that’s not true anymore. Study HARD for your boards in addition to your medical curriculum. Tell your friends to as well. Pathoma, sketchy, UWorld, etc.

 

[Dr. Robb Bassett]

Hey — great questions. You’re thinking about the right things early, which puts you in a strong position.

First, on extracurriculars: This isn’t undergrad. Med schools and residencies are more interested in depth than breadth. One interest group aligned with your goals — like psychiatry — is a great place to start. If you enjoy it, leaning into leadership later can elevate it further.

If your research project is already built into the curriculum, no need to pile on more unless you’re passionate about a specific question or aiming for a particularly competitive program. One quality project with meaningful involvement can carry a lot of weight.

Volunteering is helpful but not mandatory. It’s less about checking boxes and more about demonstrating sustained interest or service. If something genuinely aligns with your interests and bandwidth, go for it. But don’t replicate the premed scramble.

Now on to grading: With Step 1 now pass/fail, many residency programs will put greater weight on other performance metrics — including preclinical grades, core clerkship performance, and even class rank if your school provides it. Honors and High Passes still matter, especially in core rotations. You don’t need to chase perfection, but consistently strong performance paired with a clear narrative goes a long way.

One last thought: focusing in on a single research or volunteer project that you're truly passionate about will serve you in two powerful ways. First, if it’s something you genuinely care about, it won’t feel like a grind. That’s huge. Second, that kind of immersion gives you exposure to the subtle, real-world elements that help you figure out whether you're truly aligned with a specialty — something that will serve you well before the rush of third year. By the time you're scheduling audition rotations, having that clarity can make or break your momentum. In my view, figuring out what specialty is the best long-term fit for you — clinically, personally, and professionally — is one of the most important goals you can set in med school.

You don’t need to “catch up.” You just need to get aligned. Focus on what lights you up, keep showing up consistently, and the rest tends to follow.