Preparing for Medical School

It is critical that you convince admissions committees of your solid potential for a

medical career. Obtaining clinical exposure to the nature of medical work, its demands,

stresses, and emotional rewards can prove to be a meaningful educational experience.

Volunteer Service

Becoming actively involved in volunteer work in a medical or nonmedical service area

at some time in your college career can also help to improve your prospects of gaining

admission to medical school. It is vital to your future success and happiness that you

convincingly demonstrate to yourself that of all possible professions, medicine is the

service-oriented career that appeals to you most. Choosing and finding a suitable volun-

teer position can prove challenging. Some are available at local hospitals but if you have

difficulty securing one, ask your premedical advisor for suggestions based on prior stu-

dent activities.

To determine what you would prefer to do, most, ask yourself:

1. Based on my interests and talents, what services am I especially suited for?

2. How much real free time do I currently have available on a regular basis?

3. In what kind of professional or social setting would I feel most comfortable?

4. What do I wish to gain out of my volunteer experience that can be of future help?

While you may possibly find an individual physician's practice or group practice in

which to secure volunteer experience, most premeds obtain exposure at an institutional

setting. These include medical centers, hospitals, hospices, nursing homes, assisted liv-

ing facilities, community clinics, or with volunteer ambulance services. The preferred

site, from among the aforementioned, depends in large measure on your responses to the

above-mentioned four considerations.

Research

Research, whether the laboratory or nonlab type, such as data collection and evaluation,

reference library activity, etc., should be focused on (a) broadening your scientific inter-

ests, (b) expanding your analytical skills, and (c) developing improved powers of obser-

vation and/or analysis. Naturally, premedical students who can clearly visualize a career

in academic medicine will find a research stint to be especially advisable. In any case,

securing a research position is difficult, given a premeds student's very limited back-

ground, but with some effort and luck you may find one, so it is worth pursuing this goal.

Other Activities

When reviewing your application, admissions people frequently seek to gain an insight

into your personality by noting what you do during your free time. They are anxious to

see if you have any general activities that you pursue regularly. Such outlets can serve as

a means of diminishing stress and providing relaxation. This is critical for those consider-

ing entering a profession that, by its very nature, may at times be particularly stressful.

Thus, being active in sports, hiking, or bicycle riding, or being an avid reader, is viewed

in a positive light.

Preparing for Medical School - Page 22