What is it that makes a high school student an attractive candidate for these programs? I’m guessing that GPA, SAT, class rank, hospital volunteership and HOSA are some, what else?
What do you think got you or someone you know into one of these programs?
anyone?
some LUCK & BLESSINGS
I don’t think it’s formulaic but overall it’s great performance in terms of academics (GPA, class rank, and standardized test scores), big involvement in school related activities w/leadership positions, community service, and healthcare related ECs (sometimes being involved in research - but not for all programs), good writing ability for the essay sections of the application, and as @goldenrock mentioned, a little bit of luck and blessings. I would say the more competitive the program, the more stellar you have to be in those areas, sometimes leaving very room for error.
So now it’s a med school goal?
The better the college, the more competitive both its general and its BS/MD admissions, the more you need. Not HOSA, that’s a hs club. Not shadowing. Think bigger. Get out there, roll up your sleeves, take on real responsibility. Know WHY you want to be a doc. Trust me, that’s not because you thought it up in kindergarten (lots of kids say this,) you want to save the world (especially if you aren’t helping anyone yet,) your strongest grades are in science, someone in your family got very sick, or a host of other ‘reasons’ that just sound like it’s a vague idea, you don’t really know.
Think big. You also need to show compassion in action, related to health care delivery. Have experience dealing with those who need care. And that is NOT holding a fundraiser to support some distant entity, while keeping your own hands clean. Nor is it volunteering to restock the supply room and it may not be wheeling around patients. And it’s not hanging around at the nursing home. Certainly not 'founding" a hs med club to chat up being a doctor.
It’s for my freshmen, not for my junior.
There’s a thread on CC for the Sophie Davis program, which is a free program in NYC. They tend to give their stats, volunteer activities, and later report whether they were accepted. That thread will be skewed somewhat because Sophie Davis is a free program and they ask that in return the graduate work in specific areas. This may or may not influence who’s applying, but at least you can see some of the stats.
Also: I’ve been warned off of these types of programs by a mom whose daughter went before me. She said that they are very intense. Very intense. They’re great if you know that this is exactly what you want to do, but it’s no easy ride. There’s no real break from these studies.
These are prefect for many people, i’m sure, but you want to be sure they are perfect for you.
@WorryHurry411 Happy to know that you are asking the question at the right time of the student. The earlier the better for this program requirements. But make sure the student is interested in medicine career (than parents). Don’t have to discuss and get confirmation from student since it is too early for them. But ensure to expose to them to the various activities related to medicine and also get them involved in various science related activities (in 9th and 10th) so that they can get involved in some research during summer.
Just posted a new thread with to answer to your original question in a lighthearted manner. Please review.