What are some good ECs for a high schooler planning to go into pre-med?
volunteering in a health care setting such as a hospital. It is an unwritten requirement for med school admission, so you might as well get started now. Also it will let you confirm whether or not health care is really right for you, and it will also let you see what others in health care do (nurses, physical therapists, etc) that you may decide are an attractive alternative to a choice that involves 11-15 years of school & training plus heavy debt.
Also advocacy work, where you join an existing group, work alongside adults, to promote local/area improvement in healthcare, equal access, and more. Not some fundraiser for a foreign country (though that can be a good gesture, it’s hands off.) Show the colleges you aren’t afraid to deal with illness and need, first hand.
Two months ago you asked a similar question about what ECs colleges value most. Now you are asking about what ECs are good for pre-med. Please understand:
A valuable EC is something you enjoy, something you can make your mark in. There are no one or two ECs that stand above all others
There is no pre-med major in college. You will major in any area of interest and take the required pre-med courses. I know doctors who majored in all sorts of things at the undergrad level including (to name a few): English, Chinese, Classics, Psychology as well as science majors.
I know doctors who did every type of EC as a high school student. If you love science and want to delve into it for ECs go ahead, if the idea of working in a hospital excites you then try to volunteer, if you love music, sports, community service or anything else that is great too. Find a combination of ECs that interests you.
Pre-med-related ECs in high school should be considered mainly to determine if you are really interested in medicine, not because of college admission related reasons.
Right now, your first priority should be getting the best and strongest foundation in bio, chem, physics and math. Also take psych if your school offers.
As for ECs, you can see if you can volunteer at a nursing home or hospital or soup kitchen.
And if you don’t “like” working in healthcare, and skip the hospital or clinic or other relevant experiences because you’d rather plan the pep rally or chair the pie club, you can always aim for a lower competition college that won’t mind.
If you do have a top tier holistic in mind, it ought to be more than just socializing or playing music. The bullet is healthcare issues.
The thread question is 2 part. What ECs might prepare for premed and also get him into his hoped for targets.
Be aware that seeking pre-med has no impact on your admission to college. Thus, if you are thinking of emphasizing a related EC so that you can get pre-med you are over-thinking the situation. Pre-med is not a college major. It is an advisory program for those in college that are considering med school. Anyone admitted can seek entry into the the pre-med program. Putting pre-med on your application simply tells the college that you would like to join that advisory program, but it will not determine one way or the other whether you will be admitted.