What does it take to get into a top MD school? (Almost done with freshman year)

[musliminmed]

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Hi there 🙂

So, I just wanted to know what type of tips or suggestions you guys have for me so I can built a competitive profile for myself. Right now, I am almost done with my second semester, doing ehh. I got a 3.75 last semester, and I hope to get around a 3.8-3.9 this semester (yes, not very good for a freshman, I know).

I haven't done any sort of extra-curriculars or anything, because I had a part time job for the first semester, and just wanted to focus on school (plus I had just moved, so no friends, no idea wth I was doing in general).

Right now, I am in my schools honors college. I plan on taking Gen Chem 1 (first 5 weeks) and Uni Physics 1 (2nd five weeks) over the summer at a community college (M-Th). I also plan on volunteering at a my friend's parents clinic every Sunday for a few hours every week in the summer (maybe build up to a 100+ hours and continue into the fall semester if I enjoy it there). I am trying to get my dad to talk to some doctors (I think a cardiologist) to get me to shadow somewhere this summer as well.

In terms of research, where do you even start? How do you even start? //totally lost about this.

Is there anything else you guys recommend me to to do? My friend is organizing a seminar in a different college, and is offering me to do something small (like an organizer or something) just to help build my CV. He also wants me to help write a paper, though idk if I am smart enough for that, lol!

In terms of science/math classes, I only took Bio 1 & 2 w/ their respective labs, Calc 1-3, and Chem 1301 (a super intro class to chem. I never took chemistry in high school, so I really wanted to start off w/ a strong foundation since I hear Chem in my university is absolutely terrible). I am thinking about switching my major from Biomedical Engineering to Biology since it covers the pre-reqs, and more. I also think it will open up a chance for me to minor in something. There is a minor in our honors college called "medicine and society" that is for pre-health majors, that seems really interesting. I am also interested in fine arts, so I might do a minor in that instead of the M&S minor.

Guys, please help me out. I feel SO behind everyone. People are claiming to want to do medicine ever since they were in middle school or something, so I really need to work my behind off. Thank you for any response! And sorry for such a long post!!

 

[Oso]

-keep up good grades
-major in whatever you like
-do some shadowing
-get some clinical experience (ex. Hospital/clinic volunteering)
-do some other fun EC's that interest you/ maybe get a leadership position
-research: email profs/PI's or apply to a formal summer research program
-someday you'll take the mcat
-someday you'll ask for letters of rec from profs

Additional:
-you are not behind, so chill
-enjoy college
-learn to use the search function on SDN

 

[mishaS]

Why exactly do you need to get into a top program? Unless you want to go heavy on the research, or want to work in academia, I don't think there is a massive benefit to be had. If you really NEED to get in, aside from the basics, you'd better find a way to make yourself interesting/unique/different. There are tons of premeds with fantastic MCAT scores, good GPAs, research, volunteering, etc. Seriously, any MD program in the US will let you get into whatever specialty you want, as long as you're willing to put in the effort once you're in medical school.

 

[Served]

Good GPA
Good MCAT
Good EC/V
Good LORs
Good personal statement
Good interview result

 

[GomerPyle]

First of all, relax. Take your time - med schools don't like students who rush into application season. It is definitely okay to take an extra year to finish (if needed) and to even take a year off. Medical schools actually encourage this.

To get involved in research, you need to reach out to various professors at your school (via email or phone) and ask them if they have any undergraduate research positions available. Contact a few professors, and it would help to know one personally from class, and you shouldn't have a problem finding a spot in a lab.

To increase your chances of even getting into medical school, let alone a top tier school, you should have a handful of extracurricular activities on your resume (along with a good GPA and MCAT score). You need to start volunteering in the hospital and gathering extensive patient-exposure experience. You need to have at least 40 hours of physician shadowing (various specialties). If you want a have a big edge, you should acquire several leadership experiences - spearhead a new program, TA several courses, mentor refugee students and families, student body - do something to showcase your leadership abilities and people-skills. If you have extensive activity experiences, you'll have a lot of great things to talk about in your application/essays and in the interviews. This will help you immensely - you want to be different than all other applicants.

As far as your field of study, I did biomedical engineering and it helped me immensely. If I were you, I would stick to it because everybody is a biology major. Do something different! Being an an engineer will teach you how to critically solve a vast array of medically-related problems. These skills helped me in research, writing, analyzing medical studies, general examinations in non-engineering courses, and the MCAT.

 

[Catalystik]

Most freshman are still figuring out how to get decent grades despite a much faster pace of learning compared to HS, and don't get involved in a lot of extracurriculars. GPA is your Number One concern right now. Don't get frantic and take on too much, thus impairing your chances of delivering great grades. You've already made amazing progress in planning some future activities.

 

[xnfs93hy]

Just so you know, a 3.8-3.9 GPA is absolutely fine for a freshman. You've earned top marks. Take a deep breath a relax a little bit.

 

[mcloaf]

Why exactly do you need to get into a top program?

It's been well established that all freshman premeds will someday be department chairs at Harvard and Hopkins.

 

[musliminmed]

It's been well established that all freshman premeds will someday be department chairs at Harvard and Hopkins.

Hahaha, I wish 😛 I just thought, might as well shoot for the top, if I'm going to be working this hard!! I don't NEED to get into a top program, per say, but rather, it would be NICE, and I want to at least try. If I don't get in, oh well. I won't be too discouraged 🙂

First of all, relax. Take your time - med schools don't like students who rush into application season. It is definitely okay to take an extra year to finish (if needed) and to even take a year off. Medical schools actually encourage this.

To get involved in research, you need to reach out to various professors at your school (via email or phone) and ask them if they have any undergraduate research positions available. Contact a few professors, and it would help to know one personally from class, and you shouldn't have a problem finding a spot in a lab.

To increase your chances of even getting into medical school, let alone a top tier school, you should have a handful of extracurricular activities on your resume (along with a good GPA and MCAT score). You need to start volunteering in the hospital and gathering extensive patient-exposure experience. You need to have at least 40 hours of physician shadowing (various specialties). If you want a have a big edge, you should acquire several leadership experiences - spearhead a new program, TA several courses, mentor refugee students and families, student body - do something to showcase your leadership abilities and people-skills. If you have extensive activity experiences, you'll have a lot of great things to talk about in your application/essays and in the interviews. This will help you immensely - you want to be different than all other applicants.

As far as your field of study, I did biomedical engineering and it helped me immensely. If I were you, I would stick to it because everybody is a biology major. Do something different! Being an an engineer will teach you how to critically solve a vast array of medically-related problems. These skills helped me in research, writing, analyzing medical studies, general examinations in non-engineering courses, and the MCAT.

Yeah, the decision of taking time off is something I might consider... it'll give me time to possibly get married LOL. And learn how to cook cuz I don't wanna be starving err'day at med school (kidding).

I know everyone is a biology major, which is why I'm so hesitant to switch my major. However, time and time again I hve heard that GPA and MCAT is all that matters in the long run - not what your major is. I feel that if I switch to Biology, I will be able to focus on studying my MCAT more rather than having to worry about my quantitative physiology class and whatever other engineering classes I will be taking in the fall of my junior year. Also, I can also minor in something I want to do for myself, such as fine arts. Also, this can open the door for me to maybe even be a medical illustrator. I am also in the Honors college, which will make it even more difficult to complete a BME degree and the honors requirements.

I will look into TA positions and maybe a leadership position in some sort of pre-med club.

Man, I wish I had your brains, if you could do BME and get into med school! It seems so difficult, and I'm afraid I just won't have time to volunteer and the like. At this point, the decision is becoming clearer and clearer. If I really want to be a doctor, then I have to really put all my marbles in one basket.


And I know a lot of you guys are telling me to relax, and I will try to! However, I am a pretty hard worker and a bit on the paranoid side (lol) so I want to do as much as I possibily can! Honestly, if I do something I really like to do, it won't be stressful for me, rather, I will enjoy it 🙂

 

[PreMedOrDead]

Good GPA
Good MCAT
Good EC/V
Good LORs
Good personal statement
Good interview result

I'd switch those all to "Great," considering you're going to be expected to be in the 90th+ percentile in the majority of those.

 

[oncoconut]

7 years later with a BSc and MSc and going into med school after a long road, let me tell you, I wish I had strategized a little bit more as a freshman. So good on you for at least thinking about the road ahead!

Some tips:

Sounds like you've already made your mind up about switching. Do it. You are more likely to succeed GPA-wise if you take courses you are interested in and passionate about. That fine arts minor also sounds very unique and will give you something to talk about and maybe some cool opportunities i.e. Medical illustration

Be proactive. Email profs about summer lab internships. Don't wait for your dad to talk to physicians. Call or email them yourself. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Write the MCAT in the summer after your sophomore year. Take at least 1 month off work to study for it. Keep up with volunteering during that summer but make sure you have that full month to study. If you need to rewrite you always have the summer after your junior year to do it. Trust me it's less pressure and the material is more fresh. A good MCAT score will make life a little easier.

As for your CV, aim for a good balance of research, clinical, leadership, teaching, and community service, with a little something extra, like a cool hobby or sport, etc. Ask that friend if helping to write that paper guarantees authorship. Become a member of your student association and work your way up the ranks. Tutor or become a TA. Your username suggests you are Muslim. Maybe start a mentoring program for young kids in your religious community interested in STEM careers. Or get involved with your cultural association. GPA and MCAT are objective measures. Your CV is where you get to stand out. Have fun with it. Pre-med clubs are great for information but it's IMO very boring to see that on a CV from a pre-med student. If you have to strategize your activities make sure they cover the spheres mentioned above, but they can honestly be anything. Don't limit yourself to clubs specifically labelled for pre-meds.

That is all I have for now. If I have more advice I'll add to this thread.

 

[GomerPyle]

Yeah, your GPA might be a little higher with a biology major, but your intellectual problem solving abilities that you will acquire from biomedical engineering will serve you well on the MCAT, as well as in your future endeavors as a medical student or whatever career you end up doing. I like it when people go out and challenge themselves. Sure it will kick your butt, but in my opinion, a good butt kicking will make you brighter, stronger, and a better candidate. But anyhow...

 

[infinitessimal]

I'd like to deviate from the herd a bit regarding majoring. Most people here (and at my uni) says major in whatever you like, you'll get better grades in something you're passionate about and your interest will shine through. I say take that with a grain of salt. While you may not be at a disadvantage in adcom's eyes if you don't major in something science-related, you may be doing a huge disservice to yourself during the course of your undergraduate career. The premed track is taxing and time-consuming, and if you want to excel in it, you will have to sacrifice some of your other passions.

For example, a good premed friend of mine was really interested in the culture and current events in the Middle East, so she became a Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies major. One of the prereqs for the major was Arabic 1 and 2, and although she's been good with languages in the past, she didn't realize how much Arabic would kick her in the butt. Furthermore, she had to take grad-level classes and write 10 page papers every week. This was on top of orgo, bio, etc. Aside from having to study for Arabic for 4-6 hours a day, she also had to find time to volunteer, research, and study for the MCAT. In the end, everything suffered - she wasn't able to get As in either Arabic or the later premed courses, and she voided her MCAT after studying for it all summer. I feel so bad for her because despite being a very bright person, she can't split herself into three.

So my advice is, have perspective. Major in something you like but that also won't take up all your time, and if it is bio-related, MCAT studying will be easier and you will thank yourself. Just my 2c

 

[Oso]

I'd like to deviate from the herd a bit regarding majoring. Most people here (and at my uni) says major in whatever you like, you'll get better grades in something you're passionate about and your interest will shine through. I say take that with a grain of salt. While you may not be at a disadvantage in adcom's eyes if you don't major in something science-related, you may be doing a huge disservice to yourself during the course of your undergraduate career. The premed track is taxing and time-consuming, and if you want to excel in it, you will have to sacrifice some of your other passions.

For example, a good premed friend of mine was really interested in the culture and current events in the Middle East, so she became a Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies major. One of the prereqs for the major was Arabic 1 and 2, and although she's been good with languages in the past, she didn't realize how much Arabic would kick her in the butt. Furthermore, she had to take grad-level classes and write 10 page papers every week. This was on top of orgo, bio, etc. Aside from having to study for Arabic for 4-6 hours a day, she also had to find time to volunteer, research, and study for the MCAT. In the end, everything suffered - she wasn't able to get As in either Arabic or the later premed courses, and she voided her MCAT after studying for it all summer. I feel so bad for her because despite being a very bright person, she can't split herself into three.

So my advice is, have perspective. Major in something you like but that also won't take up all your time, and if it is bio-related, MCAT studying will be easier and you will thank yourself. Just my 2c

Ok, so follow your passions ... unless it's Arabic.

Seriously though, I majored in social science, a bunch of people I know majored in social science/ humanities, and we all did just fine. If it's something you like, you'll enjoy the extra time you put in. And my MCAT was just fine, never did I think 'damn, this would be much easier had I majored in some biological discipline'. Your friend is just one example and is in no way representative of non-science majors' coursework (I hope she's doing better now, btw). There are plenty of science/biology majors who can't balance their coursework and EC's.

Although the OP is debating between biomedical engineering and biology, so you know, nothing I'm saying is actually relevant.

 

[infinitessimal]

@Oso

Yeah I majored in poly sci and also did fine. That's not what my post was about. I just wish, as a freshman or starting premed, someone had told me and other premeds that it's not just "do what you love and your effort will pay off!" It should've been "do something you enjoy, but if you're choosing premed, be smart and consider your course load over the next four years". My friend is not representative but an example of what can happen, not from bad luck or low intellect but from bad organizing. I'd just like OP and whoever reads this to keep it in the back of their minds when choosing a major.

By the way, I studied my ass off for the MCAT and did very well, but I'd be lying if I didn't think "damn, this would be much easier if I had taken all those upper level bio courses" like a thousand times.

 

[mmmcdowe]

If you look at the faq threads at the top of this forum, they have a lot of helpful info that you can peruse. It never hurts to be the best applicant you can be.

 

[Oso]

@Oso

Yeah I majored in poly sci and also did fine. That's not what my post was about. I just wish, as a freshman or starting premed, someone had told me and other premeds that it's not just "do what you love and your effort will pay off!" It should've been "do something you enjoy, but if you're choosing premed, be smart and consider your course load over the next four years". My friend is not representative but an example of what can happen, not from bad luck or low intellect but from bad organizing. I'd just like OP and whoever reads this to keep it in the back of their minds when choosing a major.

By the way, I studied my ass off for the MCAT and did very well, but I'd be lying if I didn't think "damn, this would be much easier if I had taken all those upper level bio courses" like a thousand times.

Gotcha. I think we're agreeing for the most part. Major in what you're truly interested in, but plan it out well and stay organized, which you and I both did. This should be true of any premed balancing coursework, volunteering, research, etc. , but especially so for non-science majors whose coursework doesn't overlap with prereqs. You have to make it work, as it doesn't fall into place as easily as a bio major. But I wouldn't say majoring in a non-science may do a huge disservice to someone, at least not if they're actually interested in it. And yes, you have to sacrifice some things for premed, but I don't think major (ie. a big chunk of your coursework) should be one of them. Don't settle for biology for the relative convenience of it.

And as for the MCAT, I guess I just never really thought taking molecular or cell bio (for example) would have been worth it (I did have biochem, however).

Unrelated: your avatar is awesome.

 

[bakedbeans18]

Don't get hung up on going to a top medical school. Most people don't get to, and it's way too early in your education to say you're cut from the right cloth for a top medical school.

 

[DermViser]

Here there 🙂

So, I just wanted to know what type of tips or suggestions you guys have for me so I can built a competitive profile for myself. Right now, I am almost done with my second semester, doing ehh. I got a 3.75 last semester, and I hope to get around a 3.8-3.9 this semester (yes, not very good for a freshman, I know).

Unclench...

 

[musliminmed]

Sorry for not replying to your guys wonderful responses, I was a bit busy, but I'll do it now!

7 years later with a BSc and MSc and going into med school after a long road, let me tell you, I wish I had strategized a little bit more as a freshman. So good on you for at least thinking about the road ahead!

Some tips:

Sounds like you've already made your mind up about switching. Do it. You are more likely to succeed GPA-wise if you take courses you are interested in and passionate about. That fine arts minor also sounds very unique and will give you something to talk about and maybe some cool opportunities i.e. Medical illustration

Be proactive. Email profs about summer lab internships. Don't wait for your dad to talk to physicians. Call or email them yourself. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Write the MCAT in the summer after your sophomore year. Take at least 1 month off work to study for it. Keep up with volunteering during that summer but make sure you have that full month to study. If you need to rewrite you always have the summer after your junior year to do it. Trust me it's less pressure and the material is more fresh. A good MCAT score will make life a little easier.

As for your CV, aim for a good balance of research, clinical, leadership, teaching, and community service, with a little something extra, like a cool hobby or sport, etc. Ask that friend if helping to write that paper guarantees authorship. Become a member of your student association and work your way up the ranks. Tutor or become a TA. Your username suggests you are Muslim. Maybe start a mentoring program for young kids in your religious community interested in STEM careers. Or get involved with your cultural association. GPA and MCAT are objective measures. Your CV is where you get to stand out. Have fun with it. Pre-med clubs are great for information but it's IMO very boring to see that on a CV from a pre-med student. If you have to strategize your activities make sure they cover the spheres mentioned above, but they can honestly be anything. Don't limit yourself to clubs specifically labelled for pre-meds.

That is all I have for now. If I have more advice I'll add to this thread.

Thanks so much for the advice!! I am about to take the leap and probably going to switch soon. I talked to my engineering advisor/prof. and he told me to stay since I have yet to start any "real" engineering classes. However, I just can't see myself doing math all day long and physics problems.. and circuits looks like a terrible class that I will probably cry over (lol). I enjoyed my Bio 1 and 2 class even though it did get boring sometimes (teacher is boring) but when I explored it on my own, watching youtube videos, reaching the textbook, etc. I wasn't particularly bored with it, and sometimes found it really interesting. I want to take this as a good sign and just go ahead and do it. If I think about it for too long, I'm going to psych myself out 😛

Yeah, your GPA might be a little higher with a biology major, but your intellectual problem solving abilities that you will acquire from biomedical engineering will serve you well on the MCAT, as well as in your future endeavors as a medical student or whatever career you end up doing. I like it when people go out and challenge themselves. Sure it will kick your butt, but in my opinion, a good butt kicking will make you brighter, stronger, and a better candidate. But anyhow...

I do agree, but I think this advice would be suited for someone that really has a genuine interest in engineering. For me, I picked that major on a whim! Seriously, I don't even consider myself good at math, physics isn't really fun, and I only picked that major because I liked the biological aspect of it, and I liked technology. But I can see that I am not really a good fit for it.

And for the problem solving abilities... I'm finishing up with calc 3 this year, along with computer solving class (MATLAB), and I am finishing up a year of an intensive honors english that really stresses analyzing passages and texts and writing good essays. I never thought english would be something I struggled with, these profs are brutal, but it has improved my verbal and writing skills immensely. I believe with me doing honors and exposing myself to a few engineering classes will give me a bit more rounded experience. However, I'm not going to hold on to engineering and have circuit analysis and biotherm and biofluids kick my butt and GPA. Not only that, my junior year is going to be the hardest year, and that is the year I will be doing MCAT. With the biology major, I will be having the lightest course load during my junior year, which is just PREFECT for preparing for MCAT 🙂


I talked to my mom about my decision to switch. I layed out the pros and cons of it, and though she seems reluctant, she did agree that me doing a bio major will be more beneficial in a long run. Not only that, it will give me more freedom to pursue a fine arts minor, create relationships with biology professors who can expose me to positions for research, and I will have free-er summers so I can focus on volunteering and the like.

Also, another question, would calculus-based physics be more beneficial, or algebra based physics? I plan on taking the calculus based physics since I havve already signed up for it anyway. I have gotten A's in all my calc classes, so I think I am prepared.

I am taking Gen Chem 1 and University Physics 1 at a community college. Would med schools look down on this? The only reason why I am doing this is because I am already very behind in chem, and can't afford to wait another semester. I don't want to push back classes like genetics and orgo and whatever bio classes that require chemistry. I would like to graduate in 4 years, lol. On top of that, the phyiscs department at my university is absolutely horrendous. I plan on taking physics 2 and chem 2 in the fall at my university. Also, I can't afford to take it at my university. I am getting my tuition payed for my scholrahips and grants, otherwise I wouldn't even be in a uni right now :/

Would doing a minor is something that is extremely different from my major give me an "edge"? I love art, and I would love to pursue it as a minor. I know many people say that it doesn't matter, but is that really true? Wouldn't adcoms at least notice it? Especially since it's something like fine arts....

 

[samsunimomo]

Minors really, really, don't matter.

 

[musliminmed]

Minors really, really, don't matter.

Alrighty, that doesn't dissuade me from minoring in art though 🙂 I just want to do it for myself, just thought it would be a nice perk, hehe.

 

[infinitessimal]

Minors really, really, don't matter.

I don't agree. They won't matter in the sense that they won't compensate for deficiencies elsewhere in your app, but I definitely think it could be a nice perk to talk about during interviews since you seem to be really excited about it. As long as you can fit it into your schedule, why not?

And regarding community college classes - there are some med schools that accept prereqs at a CC, and some that don't. Hopkins is one that doesn't, for example. You can find this info on the MSAR or specific schools' websites, but it's probably too early for you to start narrowing down on schools. Just keep in mind for the future.

Regarding physics, I don't think it matters at all (at least with the current requirements).

 

[Catalystik]

Would doing a minor is something that is extremely different from my major give me an "edge"? I love art, and I would love to pursue it as a minor. I know many people say that it doesn't matter, but is that really true? Wouldn't adcoms at least notice it? Especially since it's something like fine arts....

You can list artistic endeavors and hobbies on your application regardless of whether they are related to an official "minor." Either way, these activities can be a talking point at interviews.

 

[musliminmed]

Another thing, I took 3 years of psychology in high school: Ap Psych, and two years of IB HL psych. I still have all my notes from the class, do you think I should take Psych 101 from my university for the new MCAT? I think it's just gonna be a waste of time, honestly, and nothing new from what I did in the 3 years of psych I took in high school....

 

[happybluefeet]

I just skimmed the thread and wanted to give my insight on major (not sure if I'm repeating anything, sorry!)

While majoring in something bio related will give you somewhat of a boost in the MCAT BS, I think the prereq bio courses + maybe a class on experimental design or analyzing scientific papers are enough. I only took 3 semesters of bio courses, and did well on the bio section, though I did have to devote some extra time to physiology review.

On the whole, the boost from majoring in bio/sciency subjects is pretty minimal I think. I majored in a non-science discipline and loved the experience. I think it helped me stand out a bit in the app process, and lots of interviewers talked to me about how my major field overlapped with and contributed to medicine. Pretty much any field will contribute positively to your perspective as a doctor, so it's always a plus IMO. Also, if you really do go into medicine, you have your whole life to life to learn medicine and bio/chem. Think about taking an unrelated major just to explore other interests and also just to be a person with a more well-rounded education.

 

[Catalystik]

Another thing, I took 3 years of psychology in high school: Ap Psych, and two years of IB HL psych. I still have all my notes from the class, do you think I should take Psych 101 from my university for the new MCAT? I think it's just gonna be a waste of time, honestly, and nothing new from what I did in the 3 years of psych I took in high school....

There are some med schools that require or recommend college credit in Behavior Sciences. Be sure they aren't the schools you plan to target. If you like one of those schools, Sociology and Anthropology qualify, too, if you don't want to repeat information you've mastered already. OTOH, Psych sounds like an "Easy A" for you.

 

[NontradCA]

Unconditional love for poor African children, standardized tests and pipetting.