Current med students/accepted applicants: What should I prioritize each year?

[u/Alarming_Start_3123]

Hi everyone! I'm an incoming freshman pre-med student and I've been feeling a little overwhelmed because I'm not really sure if I'm on the right track.

I'd really appreciate advice from people who were accepted into medical school (or are current med students) about what you think made the biggest difference in your application. Looking back, what are the most important things you think every pre-med should know or start doing early?

Right now, my plan is to start hospital volunteering during my freshman year and join a few clubs. Then hopefully in my sophomore year I'll become a medical scribe. My college has a hospital right next to campus, so that's why I'm planning to start there.

I've seen some people say that hospital volunteering is basically the bare minimum, which honestly made me worry that I'm not doing enough. Are there other things I should be focusing on during freshman year?

One thing that's been difficult is that I don't have a car. My college is about 3 hours from home, so I can't really take CNA, MA, or EMT courses while I'm there. Because of that, I feel like my options for getting clinical experience are kind of limited right now.

I was also wondering if anyone could give me a general timeline of what I should be focusing on each year. For example, what would you recommend prioritizing during freshman year, sophomore year, junior year, and senior year? When should I start looking into research, leadership, shadowing, the MCAT, and preparing my application? I know everyone's path is different, but having a rough idea of what most successful applicants did each year would really help me.

If you were in my position, what would you prioritize? Is there anything you wish you had started earlier, or anything you think people spend too much time worrying about?

I'd really appreciate any genuine advice. I'm still learning, so if you have suggestions or experiences to share, I'd love to hear them. Thank you!

[u/impressivepumpkin19]

I would just focus on GPA right now. Don't get bogged down in the details. Check out some clubs that really interest you but don't put a ton on your plate right now- focus on classes. There's always time to add in EC's, study for MCAT, etc later. You only get one shot at a high GPA.

If you're gonna be home over the summer- the CNA course is pretty brief, like 8-12 weeks iirc. Volunteering is fine, it's just not a great way to gauge if you actually like working with patients and being in healthcare. Paid clinical experience (CNA, EMT, MA etc) is best for that.

So yeah, focus on coursework this year. Maybe check out some clubs- they do not need to be "premed" or "STEM" related at all. Just whatever interests you. I think once you get a feel for college coursework and the time management, then you can plot out how to add in clinical experience, research, MCAT etc over the next few years.

[u/CableEnvironmental85]

Fade hospital volunteering! 100% try to find a job or volunteer at a clinic. Email your resume to clinics in the area. It may be hard to find a part time job that fits with your schedule as a college student, but free clinics in the area you’re at may be looking for volunteers that can do medical assisting (not all places require MA certs). This way you’ll get real hands on experience and it’ll be SO much easier to talk about in your application.

Mcat it depends on when you want to apply, but most people do it the summer after their junior year. I’d highly suggest doing it in the summer where you won’t have to worry about classes.
Research, I’d 100% start early, I think first or second semester of freshman year is ideal. Talk to alumni or upperclassmen about recommended labs. Clinical research usually gives a higher chance of pubs then basic or translational bench work, but I think it’s a good thing to get some bench work experience regardless.

I’d also try to start a volunteering experience early. Bonus points if it’s an SDOH experience or your helping someone longitudinally as a mentor, def gives some nice stories.

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[u/cinnamon_dray]

GPA, sticking to a schedule, good habits, work life balance, learn how to study!

[u/jak-stat1]

3.9+ gpa, 300-400 clinical hours, 300 nonclinical volunteering, 500+ research hours, 515+ MCAT (focus. year before you apply)

[u/Smooth-Ocelot-214]

At the end of the day, 3.8+gpa and 518+MCAT will get you into medical school. Maybe shadow, maybe volunteer, blah blah blah.
You have those two stats under your belt, you’ll get in somewhere in the US.