Undergraduate Awards/Honors that Stand Out

[radyakx]

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Hi!
I'm a freshman pre-med at a state school and I know that I know that I know that I want to go to med school and do something preferably in a surgical field. My dream would be to attend Vandy for med school, since I live in the south, or another school anywhere else in the US of that caliber. I want to be the best I can possibly be in college and give myself the best shot at getting into a phenomenal medical school and possibly even receive scholarships for med school. What high awards/honors/accolades (or other things of that nature) can any of you think of that would be great to aim for receiving during my undergraduate years? That would also preferably make me a stand out med school applicant? Thoughts on Goldwater, Rhodes, Fulbright, etc? Others?
I love to set goals, plan, and aim high, and I would love to be able to start doing that now by knowing what to look/aim for.
Thanks so much!!!

 

[desiredmembername123]

Awards are not what get you into a top med school. Perfect MCAT, GPA, and a compelling story that weaves through your entire application are what get you into a top med school.

 

[confidentandgood]

We can't really answer this question because we don't know your stats, present and future, as a pre-med student. Your main goals in college should be keeping a high GPA, volunteering in clinical and non-clinical fields, shadowing various doctors, and acing the MCAT.

If you're curious about awards, why not check with your specific school? At my university, scholarships are available to students based on academic year and standing, so you can apply at different times. They all offer different opportunities.

 

[carpediem22]

Obviously awards/fellowships like Rhodes, Marshall, Fulbright etc. help, but it's a bit of a chicken-egg question. The type of applicant who wins one was already the type who would get into a top med school before winning the award. As others have said, your main concern at this point should be GPA, MCAT, ECs, and finding your passion. Don't think about post-bacc fellowships until your third year.

 

[piii]

If you have to ask, you're already doing it wrong.

 

[carpediem22]

If you have to ask, you're already doing it wrong.

That's a bit extreme / patronizing of a response, OP is a freshman and to be honest I knew little of post-bacc awards in my first year. It's an innocent question.

OP I would recommend you use the search tool, however. There are many threads on this topic.

 

[Catalystik]

What high awards/honors/accolades (or other things of that nature) can any of you think of that would be great to aim for receiving during my undergraduate years?

-merit scholarships as an undergrad, based on undergrad performance (rather than HS)
-research grants for which you wrote your own proposals
-publication in known scientific journal based on your original, hypothesis-based research
-Phi Beta Kappa
-Community Service recognition
-Leadership recognition

 

[ndafife]

Rhodes Scholarship

 

[DingoPingo]

Hi!
I'm a freshman pre-med at a state school and I know that I know that I know that I want to go to med school and do something preferably in a surgical field. My dream would be to attend Vandy for med school, since I live in the south, or another school anywhere else in the US of that caliber. I want to be the best I can possibly be in college and give myself the best shot at getting into a phenomenal medical school and possibly even receive scholarships for med school. What high awards/honors/accolades (or other things of that nature) can any of you think of that would be great to aim for receiving during my undergraduate years? That would also preferably make me a stand out med school applicant? Thoughts on Goldwater, Rhodes, Fulbright, etc? Others?
I love to set goals, plan, and aim high, and I would love to be able to start doing that now by knowing what to look/aim for.
Thanks so much!!!

How do you know you want to go to med school?

It's great to set goals, plan, and aim high, but aiming is all about understanding what you're trying to hit.