Hey everybody,
I’m attending UAB next year to be a molecular biology/philosophy double major, and after speaking with doctors I’ve shadowed and done research on my own, I’ve pretty much figured out the OBVIOUS stuff you need to be a successful applicant to med school- high GPA/ MCAT, shadowing, research, volunteering, hospital experience, leadership, being well-rounded in extracurriculars, etc. However, that all seems pretty cookie-cutter to me. My question is, what is it that is going to make me stand out and be unique when I apply to med school? What are opportunities I should be looking into and seeking out right now or be preparing for in the future? Any unique answers that are beyond a basic search on Google would be appreciated 
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ask @wayoutwestmom, @mom2collegekids they are invaluable sources
Short answer–there’s not much you can do to “stand out” from the pack short of medaling in the Olympics, soloing at the Met, being nominated for a Nobel or founding an international charitable foundation. Because almost every year there will be med school applicants (possibly more than few) who have done something similar to that.
The longer answer–and one you aren’t going to like because it isn’t unique, but it is the truth – is you need to do all of those things and make them uniquely personal to you. Choose activities that allow you to engage in all of the expected ECs but at the same time reflect your interests and personality. Your ECs should say something specific about you. I had 2 Ds go to medical school. But their ECs (which encompassed all of the things you listed–shadowing, research, community service, clinical volunteering, leadership) could not have been more different. Different kids; different interests–and their ECs reflected that.
Engaging in the expected ECs like it’s a list of stuff you need to check off is guaranteed to make you a mediocre candidate for med school regardless of how wonderful your stats are. (And every year there dozens of applicants with top stats who get rejected while there are hundreds of lower stats applicants accepted.)
There is no magic formula for getting into med school. Applicants are judged on a case-by-case basis on whether you demonstrate the personal qualities that are the hallmark of a good physician. Intelligence, intellectual curiously, honesty, persistence in the face of adversity, altruism, empathy, respect for others different than yourself/your background, conscientiousness, self-discipline, emotional maturity & self-awareness, a willingness to be of service others, leadership, the ability to work well with others, strong interpersonal communication skills… the list goes on.
You need to be able to demonstrate you have all these qualities through your actions/ECs. (Words can lie, but actions don’t.)