<p>I'm currently taking premed requirements, (Gen. Chem, Gen. Bio, Calc 1, and a first year seminar class). I'm doing pretty well in them so far, but I have to manage my study time alongside the time I use to practice. I'm on a div 1 fencing team so I have an average of 2 hours of practice 4 days a week. Would it be wise to get involved in some extracurriculars? Or would Medical schools be happy with the fact that I did a div I sport while doing premed? I do plan on taking part in internships/externships during my breaks though.</p>
<p>Over your 4 years of undergraduate work you will need to do some ECs other than your sport. The sport commitment is great and will speak to your ability to have solid time management, but you need to shadow physicians, get to know profs well, volunteer in the community, etc as well as maintaining a 3.5+ GPA and study for the MCAT. Plus whenever you apply for med school you will spend considerable time on your PS and following up on those LORs from profs!</p>
<p>You can volunteer in summers or breaks, it can be anything that interests you, but ‘they’ do like to see you giving back to your community. The same with the shadowing, find some doctors at home or at school and shadow them, it can take a long time to make hours and find opportunities during the school term, so starting early is good.</p>
<p>Also, depending on the size of your school and class, it can be a challenge to get to know a prof well enough to request a STRONG LOR, so begin now looking for profs with whom you connect.</p>
<p>You probably will want to look for some research opportunities, too. You could find a work study RA position or you could find a summer research internship.</p>
<p>Do it your way, do what interests you, but do it all ;)</p>
<p>2 hours 4 times a week is probably very manageable. D. was doing that her freshman year with her club sport. She has decided that varsity was not in her future, her sport usually has 2 practices / day plus weight room on your own. All pre-meds at her school are very involved with ECs. She is volunteering, having 2 minors, sorority board, job, Med. research lab inrnship and MCAT prep class (no credit, of course). So she had to quit her sport club. She have been doing 18-19 credits / semster, had to drop to 15 because of MCAT prep. Be aware that high GPA is a must. But 8 hours / week should not prevent you from participating in other ECs.</p>
<p>You absolutely should do more. 8 hours a week is nothing compared to most varsity sports, where you spend at least 20 hours a week practicing, plus weekend time commitments for meets/games.</p>
<p>Either start doing research or spend some time picking up clinical experience by shadowing or volunteering.</p>
<p>You can’t get into medical school without ECs. So, yes.</p>