Plan for the University of Michigan's Medical School

Pre-Med & Medical School Specific Med Schools
1

Hello CC users,

This is the first time I have posted under this forum, so please forgive me in advance if I am posting in the wrong location. I’m currently a high school student who will be attending the University of Michigan Ann Arbor this coming year. I will be pursuing a degree in biology. I understand how competitive it is and how difficult the process has become to receive acceptance into medical school, but know that I am 100% committed to succeeding in this field, and will do anything it takes to reach my ambitions. That being said, is there a possible set plan, or best plan, that someone has experienced that I could follow? I have dreamed of attending the University of Michigan’s Medical School, as it is a top medical school in the US. I have begun some preparation on my journey, such as conducting research in Genetics during my junior year summer at the university. I’m not a lab volunteer either, I was trained to assist with research. I am also currently looking for a phamacy technician position as a job that I can work every summer. I have a connection for two pharmacies, so I should receive an occupation at either one. I am also a CNA and will be taking my state test for my license before the end of the school year. I’ve also considered starting MCAT CARS preparation this summer, since I need my introductory courses for the other subjects. Besides this, I do plan to maintain a high GPA during my college years. I also plan to volunteer at least 1,000 hours at a hospital, volunteer more at a hospital in India, and shadow as many doctors as I can. Besides all of this, is there any advice or a plan that could be provided to me? Any constructive criticism is welcome. Thank you all for bearing with my post.

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Easy to plan; harder to actually do……

FYI, clinical volunteering in India (or any other foreign country) is not given much weight by adcomms since it can’t be verified.

3

Oh I know it’s much harder to do than plan. But I’m motivated to do anything and everything I have to do to become a doctor. I understand how hard it’ll be, but I can do it. Moreover, about volunteering in India, what if I received a letter from the head doctor of the hospital? Is there any way I could provide verification? I included this in my application to U of M and wrote about it.

4

Besides that, is there any advice you could offer me for my path?

5

Why you have to go to India to get clinical experiences while attending UMAA? Do it in the USA and everything is fine. And don’t only apply to ONE med school where acceptance rate is in single digits. Besides, are you an US PR or citizen?

6

@artloversplus‌ I would have my clinical experiences in the US, along with India, to gain more experience in the medical field. I know not to only apply to one medical school, since they’re almost more “iffy” to get into than the Ivy Leagues for undergraduate. I am a citizen.

7

There are 4 basic problems with overseas volunteering:

  1. it is very often is viewed by adcomms as “medical tourism.” If you want to help medically underserved communities, there are many in the US which are in critical need of help. (Try the Sioux and Navajo Nations for starters. These communities are poorer than many impoverished communities in Africa, Central America or India.)

  2. overseas volunteering cannot be verified. (Med school adcomms are not going to accept a letter from a person they don’t know and can’t verify or who potentially may be relative. In general, adcomms don’t trust or read LORs from physicians students have shadowed anyway. )

  3. overseas volunteering doesn’t show or teach you anything about how medicine is practiced in the US. (So unless you’re planning to practice medicine in India….)

  4. very often undergrad observers participate in activities during overseas medical experiences that go beyond the scope of practice that would be reasonable for undergrad medical observer. (Help suture in the surgery or ER, hold a retractor in surgery, bandage wounds, insert IVs, administer drugs, take medical histories, etc) Acting beyond your scope of practice just because you’re invited to do so or can do so is unethical in the extreme.

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“I would have my clinical experiences in the US, along with India, to gain more experience in the medical field.” Whats so good to work and not get credit for those in India? Is there a reason you cannot get enough interns in the USA within your 4 years UG?