<p>Hi, I'm a high school sophomore and I started to get into college prep just recently. I've wanted to become a doctor my entire life and I am thoroughly commited to activities revolving around this. Does anyone know of any activities that really make you commit yourself to medicine and science?</p>
<p>BTW, I live in the LA County area. Pasadena/La Canada to be specific. If any locals know of any programs, that would be great.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot!</p>
<p>get a job working in a hospital...a lot of them hire high school students for certain things...I'm not exactly clear on what though. :)</p>
<p>Does anyone know of any ER volunteering. I heard of some kids doing it, but I'm not sure where. Thanks a lot guys.</p>
<p>You could find the local ambulance garage/service and volunteer there as an EMT. Of course, becoming an EMT requires many classroom hours and then state tests (which I recently found out I passed!) I'm also not familiar with California's laws regarding age to become an EMT and such... but look around.</p>
<p>In my area, you have to be at least 18 to volunteer in the ER.</p>
<p>btw I live in California.</p>
<p>okkkkkk so here's some things i've done myself...i'm also pursuing medicine...except i'm a senior already.... :) :</p>
<p>First off, you can try volunteering in the ER since it seems thats what you're interested in....you shouldnt have to do much more than talk to the volunteer department at a hospital, show them that you're motivated and mature, show them your marks if they ask for it (mine did) ...that's all i had to do to get a position in both the ER and Trauma Unit...so give it a shot :)</p>
<p>Other than that you can always just try shadowing a doctor....if you want to do that then just start by asking your own family physician if you can work with them....</p>
<p>hmmm what else....oh yeah see if your school offers any community service trips...like my school takes interested students to jamaica every march break to volunteer in orphanages, check out the healthcare system there, help docs, etc....</p>
<p>ALSO, you can look into mentorship programs...i dont really have much idea of how it works in california, but here in toronto the top-notch university has an actual program for high schoolers to apply to, and if accepted they get to work with professors/doctors of the university doing research on different topics....i'm sure there must be something of that sort in CA too...</p>
<p>well hope i helped....
...and good luck! :)</p>
<p>I know some activities in medicine ;)</p>
<p>okay sorry... I couldn't resist.</p>
<p>^LOL gunner i was waiting for you to post something like that :D :D
...you make my day :D :D
lol</p>
<p>I think there are policies against shadowing a doctor in California, but I'm not sure...</p>
<p>although this is in taiwan, i am really lucky to be able to shadow an anesthesiologist at a large teaching hospital in my school's first summer internship program. basically i shadowed the doctor in the operating rooms (watched a liver transplant, heart bypass, colonoscopy, birthing) and helped revise english research papers. the main thing is to have contacts who would be willing to help foster your interest.</p>