Since nobody else has said it straight out: this is a nonsense. Not one of the students that I know who are currently in med school had anything like that number.
Cumulatively, the posts above have it right:
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Do not assume that b/c you aced a class in HS you will ace it in college- from Day 1, assume that it will be challenging, and approach your work that way- work ahead, stay on top of it. IF (as often happens with very strong HS students) the first semester- even the first year- turn out to be really straightforward, don’t slack off- knock your grades out of the park, and use any extra time for something that matters to you.
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Choose your activities carefully- mostly related to pre-med, but at least one or two that use the other parts of your brain & body. So, art & yoga / running and poetry / long distance cycling and piano- you get the idea. You will need that balance all the way through undergrad, med school, internship, etc…
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Pay attention to what really suits you- and what doesn’t. Many research PhDs are not “failed” med school applicants- they are people who thought ‘medicine’ b/c they didn’t know all the options, but through their research in undergrad discovered that they loved research and the ways that they can make a difference. I know a 2016 biochem graduate whose parents (both doctors) wanted him to go into medicine. He is now in Y3 of his PhD- and already has a cancer treatment drug in Phase 2 clinical trials (obviously that is exceptional). As they say, you don’t know what you don’t know yet- so keep an open mind.
You will be surrounded by some of the best and brightest. Work hard…and prepare to be humbled. Right now you are a 17 year old HS graduate. There is a lot to this process that you have not yet seen or experienced. And I agree…most will not have 15-20 long term activities. That’s crazy.
Good luck to you at UNC!
That is super advice for so many HS stars, @twogirls…
@MYOS1634 There is a a process for Freshman which I will be working on. I am not changing my major. My goal is medical school. Extensive research makes this the best path.
@Andorvw These are just goals. Goals change. I’m aiming high, but trust me when I say it isn’t that or nothing. I’m just trying to make decisions that maximize my chance, hence this forum.v
@twogirls I come from a highly academic family. This kind of thing is what they push me towards and talk to me about at dinner. It’s definitely a bridge to be crossed when I come to it, but I don’t think it’s a bridge too far. I am a strong science student… I guess we’ll see. You’re definitely right about how early it is, but see my response to Andorvw. Also, I love to ski! And I play guitar and I want to take singing lessons. Remember I have four years. All in good time. 
Thank you for your sensitivity.
@SincererLove I’m not capable of relaxing ?, but I will.
@MYOS1634 I truly have no interest in any of that. I’m just not that kind of person. Shrugs I have no illusions, but I’m confident in my ability to endure the process.
@twogirls I have every intention of seeking out a mentor/advisor. Thank you for that advice.
@srk2017 Yes my goal is to just study my butt off, and devote the rest of my time to an advocacy group and some kind of Model UN.
@artloversplus Goals change. But I think targeting the top is a good way to get close.
@collegemom3717 That’s probably the best advice I’ve receieved so far. I was skeptical of that activity number when I saw it, so thanks for clearing that up. I am extremely focused on working on pro-life advocacy (and, yes, I’m aware of how unpopular that will be at Chapel Hill), so I will probably devote substantial time to that. I love to write, and to ski, so those are big for me. Other stuff–research, shadowing, volunteering–is the kind of thing for which I will do some networking. I’m a real empathetic, hence my interest in oncology. But who knows…
@twogirls (again). Haha I’m at peace with being humbled. But all I can do is prepare now!
Thank you all so much for the extremely helpful advice. I’m going to stick this forum in my back pocket for assistance in the next few months. I’m confident, but by no means delusional.
What do you refer to with “any of that” in the sentence “I have no interest in any of that”?
Ah. Partying, oversocialization, having too much “fun.” Not to be a jerk, but I have used studying as an excuse to get out of going to a party. I just don’t think social affairs are going to be a huge hindrance to my education.
pay VERY close attention to what @WayOutWestMom
She is THE premed guru on CC.
Another to pay attention to is @mom2collegekids .
Both have extensive knowledge of the med school application process.
@menloparkmom, @iwannabe_Brown is a guy.
@WayOutWestMom is the ultimate pre med guru here, has had 2 daughters go to med school and has mad research skills!
oops! my bad! I did mean wayoutwestmom!!
thanks for the correction!
Will do. Yes, I’m aware of the 15 competencies. I rack my brain about how to fulfill them ?.
Actually, I was referring to having “15-20 long-term activities”, @iwannabe_Brown
And, imo, the competencies are mostly things that are not med school specific- I would expect all my collegekids (none of whom are anywhere near medicine) to be strong in most of those - and have a passing credibility in all of them (though probably less than a med school would be hoping for in “living systems”, esp with my physics collegekid who shuns the ‘messiness’ of biological sciences!). More to the point, fair enough to provide the link for the OP, but I don’t think it’s something that s/he needs to stay up nights fretting about- I’m willing to bet that s/he can already tick off most of them.
But I agree with the others that @WayOutWestMom & @iwannabe_Brown are great resources!
Thanks for pointing out the resources. I’ve talked to my parents about what @WayOutWestMom has suggested so far, and they wholeheartedly agree. Both of them are Cornell grads, and my mom earned her DVM there. She was really research-oriented and I feel I’m going to go in that direction as well. I was at the practice where she works the other day, and I got the opportunity to look at my own blood through I microscope. I loved it. I’m not sure my high school ECs count towards those competencies, but I feel confident that I will be able to demonstrate them with a little bit of clever planning.
You need empathy no matter which medical field you choose to go into. Oncologists don’t have a lock on empathy. Even surgeons who collectively have a reputation for being cavalier, slice 'n dice guys 's gals have empathy.
Nope. Everything starts over on your first day of college. Med school admission is all about “What have you done lately?” Adcomms have no interest in something you did 5-8 years ago…
@CottonTales ::blushing::
@WayOutWestMom My apologies. I absolutely never meant to suggest that oncologists were the only doctors with empathy. I just meant that given my experience, it seems to be the field for which I’m suited, and that a sense of empathy couldn’t hurt.
Having spent way too much time dealing with oncologists–I’d prefer an oncologist to be current and competent rather than empathetic.
Medical specialties that have the highest empathy rating are those which are people-oriented: FM, geriatrics, pediatrics, PMR, psychiatry, OB/GYN (esp family planning specialists)
And whatever your experience w/ oncologists may be, don’t confuse your personal history with the field you’ll end up in–should you be fortunately enough to gain an acceptance to med school. Research data shows that even first year med students do a really lousy job of predicting their eventual specialty. You won’t have the slightest clue about your future specialty—assuming your fortunately enough to gain a medical school acceptance–until you’ve done your clinical rotations during 3rd year.
Also, look into MD/PHD programs.
Are you in the Honors Program at UNC?
I am not in the Honors Program, but I’m still in high school and I will work diligently and apply freshman year. I suppose I’ll cross the specialty bridge when I come to it. All I know is what appeals to me now, however irrelevant it may be.
It’s a lot of work at UNC to do an honors thesis …and also be involved in research with the intention of being published.