As an MD-PhD Candidate, I’ve spent a lot of time working with premed students on their journeys into medicine. Here are some dos and don'ts that I’ve gathered along the way - please note that this list isn’t all-inclusive!
The Dos
- Build connections. "Networking" might sound like a dirty word, but meeting people -- classmates, professors, PIs -- will become the community that you'll have for life.
- Have fun! "Fun" doesn't mean blowing off work: even though lab time, research, and studying will involve long hours and stress, all of the components of becoming a doctor can and should be enjoyable, too.
- Keep a balanced diet and lifestyle (eat, exercise, and sleep!). By now it's become a cliché to say this, but it's always worth remembering: you don't take care of yourself, you won't be able to take care of others.
- Take every learning opportunity you can, both within and outside of medicine. Many of the most memorable moments of your intellectual life in college will come from outside a premed setting: that revelation in calculus class, that introduction to architecture lecture, your roommate's linguistics textbook, your teammate's computer science project. Stay curious!
- Explore your interests, whether it be through coursework, hobbies, or something else.
- Seek the advice of older students at your university. Finding mentor figures is key to navigating the ins and outs of medical studies.
- Be cognizant of premedical requirements and other aspects to build your application. The AAMC compiles really useful data every year, which you can find here.
- Make sure you incorporate research, clinical and non-clinical volunteering, and shadowing gradually yet steadily into your schedule.
- Take advantage of leadership opportunities.
- Take advantage of teaching opportunities.
- Give yourself enough time to study for the MCAT. Over the summer can be a great option, as well as incorporating test prep as another "class" during a lighter semester.
- Remember professors or mentors that you connect with whom you would like to ask for a letter of recommendation. Stay in touch!
- Remember to thank those who got you where you are and who are helping you get where you want to go.
The Don'ts
- Don't avoid taking important but difficult classes for the sake of GPA preservation.
- But also don't burden yourself with overloading your course schedule. Play it smart: there are extracurriculars and other things you need to be on top of as well.
- Don't become single-minded and only do things to boost your application.
- Remember not to neglect building "soft skills" -- communication and empathy are also crucial components of becoming a medical practitioner.
- Don't forget this is a marathon, not a sprint. You should take breaks and preserve/replenish your mental and physical health.
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