BSMD/Ivy extracurriculars ideas?

Applying to College
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I’m a current high school sophomore looking to get into a program like Brown PLME or any BSMD/high ranked school. I know that’s a bit away, and I’m taking AP/trying to keep my grades up, but I’m wondering if there’s any extracurriculars that could help. I’m already joining clubs that I have genuine interest in while I do sports (which I also like), but is there anything I could do that could help increase my chances? I’m looking at some summer programs like Junior Volunteer Program at UPenn and MedAcademy Rowan

For context I’m a AA female in New Jersey

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There’s a great video on YouTube of a girl who got into three BSMD programs, one of which was Brown PLME. She applied to 17 and was outstandingly qualified. Make no mistake, ALL BSMD programs are exceptionally hard to gain admittance to. Even getting an interview is an achievement. You will see she has more than one false alarm.

This girl lived her life, apparently, doing everything related to clear desire to go into medicine one day. If the BSMD route is for you, you definitely need to go beyond more than just clubs. Good luck.

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OP wishing you good luck. My sons housemate was in the PLME program. He had trained to be an EMT and was a very active member of his local ambulance crew and volunteer fire department throughout high school. Apparently 16 was the required age to train and certify.

He seemed to really enjoy his experiences in these roles and it seemed to crystallize his desire to be a doctor. I don’t know this to be the case but I would be shocked if it wasn’t at the core of his application. He continued to be an active EMT during his time at Brown.

For greater context he was his class valedictorian and a highly ranked wrestler (did not compete in college) from a public HS in the northeast. In hearing him describe his high school experience he didn’t do a lot of things but what he did dedicate time to he did with great intensity and passion. In other words a mile deep vs a mile wide.

Here is a link for NJ EMT…

Good suggestion as usual @Mwfan1921

Good luck

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I encourage you to get patient facing experience, after all, how can one know they want to become a physician if they haven’t worked with patients? Check your state’s age limitations to become an asst EMT and asst CNA. You can also volunteer in a hospital, long term care, or other healthcare facility. Good luck.

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Protect your grades like you would protect your life. No amount of ECs will make up for bad grades. BS/MD is no joke and not for everyone. Good luck!

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It’s a little premature to worry about that. There’s a world of difference in thinking from age 15 to age 18. Just enjoy being a teenager…just don’t blow-up my mailbox. My neighbor’s mailbox? No comment…

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My question is: what do you want to do after you graduate from college?

If what you want to do is to become a physician, then remember that there are multiple routes that will get you there. So, while, for some people, the BS/MD route is the best, it is hardly the only route.

You are also pretty young, and there are many years for you to decide, and then change your mind, before you even start college. I taught biology undergrads (so-called “pre-meds”) for a good number of years, and have known many many students who changed their minds about going to medical school halfway through their undergraduates, so they were around 7-10 years older than you when they changed their minds.

So, first and foremost - work hard in high school. Good grades in rigorous classes are helpful for each and every career which you will choose.

Second - look for extracurricular activities which will allow you to observe up close what a medical career is all about, and engage in the type of activities that are related to medicine. So activities like the ones that @Catcherinthetoast wrote about. These will allow you to see if this is a career that you even want. If you do want to be a physician, these will also allow you to engage in this passion for a long time.

The point of extracurriculars is not to make yourself a more attractive applicant. It is to do something that you feel strongly about, but which you cannot do as a student. The admissions people at programs like Brown PLME are not looking at the ECs of their applicants and choosing the applicants with “the best” ECs. They are looking at the applicants’ ECs to learn something about the applicant.

They are looking for applicants who REALLY want to study medicine, and who will most likely not change their mind in the next few years. Engaging for years in extracurricular activities which are related to the work that an MD does demonstrate a deep and abiding interest in medicine.

Finally, as I wrote - a BSMD program is just another route to an MD, and not one that is the most common, either. So, whatever happens, your goal should never be “admission to a BSMD program”, but a career in medicine (or whatever you decide).

Good luck!

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I watched the videos thank you so much for this resource

I’m doing activities that I want, but I’m just not sure how to show I have medical exposure. I asked my dad if I could volunteer at his hospital over the summer, so maybe I can do that. I’m also going to volunteer at my schools blood drive and more.

I also know it’s very hard to get into one, so I’m trying to take rigorous classes and I’ll apply to a lot of them. I know some BSMDS only have like 5 or 30 seats. There’s also a program at Rowan (MEDAcademy) I’m going to apply to for the summer.

Thank you

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I’m starting to narrow down on a few clubs and things I’m interested in. I’ve published a book for instance but that was in middle school, so I’m not sure if I can include that.

I recently checked my rank (it’s still likely to chance with hopefully an upward trend) and my guidance counselor said that I was on the cusp. Many of my friends also aren’t taking AP/don’t plan to. I’m still positive with them and push them to be their greatest self as I don’t want it to be all toxic

I’ll look into it. I think there’s an EMT site like 2 minutes From my home

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I’ll try to. Thanks!

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lol, okay.

Ive just wanted to be a pediatric anesthesiologist since I was like in 2nd grade and the lady stopped me from panicking right before I went to sleep. I think that it might change in another field of medicine but not from medicine itself

My parents are also healthcare workers so I saw how bad things like Covid affected them and I think that helped confirm my decision the more

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Even if I got into a BSMD I’m still going to apply to other schools and consider them. I’m also aware of the pros/cons as I’ve talked to people. In fact, my moms friend who went through Sophie Davis brought it to my attention that bsmds even existed

I want to be an anesthesiologist, and I’m aware there’s more than one way to get there. Everyone has a different experience and I want to be able to consider having a bsmd as an experience. If I get a full ride to a school near me, I’m not going to turn that down, and if I participate in NJ stars first that’s another option. I just want my options wide as possible.

I know people can do this, so I’m assuming if I do attend that I’m able to just drop the program? I know that many people want this spot, but at that point I could do what’s best for me. But as of now, I’ve tried to think of doing anything else but I just really like the profession. I’m also willing to put up with the hard parts of it.

I’m taking APUSH and Seminar this year with all honors (pretty much all my school let’s me do as a sophomore) and I plan to take a more rigorous course load depending on how well I’ve handled myself this year. If I need another year to balance my course load I’ll wait. I don’t plan on sacrificing my grades to stack on APs Im not interested in

Ok

I’m doing ECs that I truly want to do. I also want to know what medically related ECs are worth it or not to know if I’m distributing my time well. I genuinely do like my sports and I do like the clubs I’m in and they make me happy. I just wanted suggestions. If I’m not able to do them, then I guess I wouldn’t lol.

I know. I just wanted to have it as an option. I see what you’re saying and I value these words. Thanks

Thank you :slight_smile:

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I can see that you have put a lot of thought into a future in medicine, unlike many people your age who have the idea that they “want to be a doctor”.

However, I would also,personally, recommend that you continue any ECs which you want to do, whether they are medically-related or not. While I think that a BSMD program would be a good fit for you, you will be spending years in medical school, and will have much more difficulty in engaging in sports and other activities during that period. So even though it may result in you taking a longer route to your MD, I would recommend that you keep up with ECs that you love.

To be honest, I really believe that you will end up in the career of your choice. I do think, though that, since you have diverse interests, that you may enjoy the longer, “more scenic” route better.

Again, good luck, and I think that you will do very well, however you choose.

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OP- FIRST you will become a physician. Then you will choose a specialty.

You will be treating homeless people with gangrene who need a limb amputated, you’ll be delivering babies- some of whom are full term and healthy and cute and others whose mothers are drug addicts and the babies are born with awful physical challenges; you’ll be treating gunshot victims and helping elderly people who are dying of terrible infections and have nobody to sit with them as they die.

BSMD programs want to make sure that you are interested in medicine because you want to become a physician. First, second and third. The applicants who “know” they want to be a so and so, since that’s what they’ve wanted since they were a young child, don’t tend to present as well. BSMD’s aren’t admitting neurologists or orthopedic surgeons or oncologists- they are admitting students who have a high, high likelihood of becoming doctors and treating patients- all patients. You’ve got plenty of time during rotations to figure out if urology or dermatology or cardiology is right for you…

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I will :slight_smile:

I think I’ll know when I get there

Thanks for your advice

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I’m aware of all this. I’ve talked to my parents about it and watched videos. I’ll be determined enough to get me and whoever I’m treating through it. I know the medical field isn’t all teslas and drama like some people paint it. No one goes to the hospital for fun. More often than not, they’re broken people with serious issues, including near death.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think first I graduate med school with an MD/DO then go onto residency rotations and at the end get matched into a speciality. I’m not 100% sure if that’s the case.

I’m aware it could always change, but I’m not going to go into a bsmd or even a premed program with no motivation or drive. The anesthesiologist lady just so happened to inspire me which led to more conversations with inspiring people. I’m going to a trauma center this summer, and I’m going to internship (shadow I thinks a better word) with a doctor just to confirm if I really want to do this.

But as for now, I’m focused on becoming a physician :slight_smile:

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Well…no.

You complete MD or DO school which includes rotations in many areas. Then you apply for residency in ONE of those areas which would be your specialty.

After residency (3-7 years or so depending on specialty), some choose to further specialize and do a fellowship.

ETA…the potential for you to be successful matching to some specialties will be based on your Step 2 scores (Step 1 will be pass fail). Some specialties and some programs have a higher bar than others.

@WayOutWestMom @CottonTales @Creekland

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Other ECs which are common:

Research that results in a publication or poster
Working in a lab
Volunteering at a hospital/clinic
Shadowing a physician
Science fairs (esp Regeneron ISEF or STS)
International olympiads

As an AA female, you are considered an underrepresented minority (URM) so many programs will be interested in you. But make sure you keep your grades up. Let your personality shine through.

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Also, please please…everyone who wants to become a doctor needs a Plan B. In your case, your interest in anesthesiology could be done by becoming a nurse anesthetist. Far less years in school, and still a great job.

So…yes, continue what you are doing….but please please have a Plan B

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Thank you for informing me :slight_smile:

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