<p>Hello everyone, I just joined cc and am very interested in bs/md programs. Within the bs/md programs, when looking at the student, which is given the most weight out of the following?</p>
<ol>
<li>research - (publishing, professors assistant, etc.)</li>
<li>volunteering</li>
<li>physician shadowing</li>
<li>clubs and leadership shown in Extra Curriculars</li>
</ol>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>I would say a little bit of both 2 and 3. These programs REALLY want to see that you are committed to a lifetime of learning in the field of medicine, so hospital volunteering and shadowing are key.</p>
<p>2 and 3 are an obvious must. Pretty much all applicants have them and if you dont you’ll stand out in a bad way.</p>
<p>In addition to 2 and 3, most applicants have another strength, usually something unique to them. For some its research, for others its being ASB president. Just remember it differs per person and doesnt really matter what it is, as long as you are passionate about it, spending time on it and making a difference.</p>
<p>there is no answer to this question, but you should have at least two-and do something unique in it.</p>
<p>I disagree about shadowing and volunteering-both of those are very easy to do-to stand out, do something like working in a hospice, etc,</p>
<p>^but EVERYONE volunteers at a hospital, and shadows on the side. How else would a person know at this age that they want to do medicine? </p>
<p>You can make a unique volunteer experience though i guess.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Exactly. Most, if not, everybody who applies to a BS/MD program has volunteering and shadowing. So what do you think happens when an applicant applies without this?</p>
<p>Thank you all for insightful comments. Due to age restrictions (I am a sophomore), I cannot work at a hospice facility until a later date, but I am currently volunteering at a community orphanage. Do you believe this is a good approach in terms of volunteering?</p>
<p>Also, I have heard that it is not as much about the hours of volunteering as it is about the experiences at volunteering. By this logic, will it make a difference for one to have 600 vs. 400 hours in hospital and non-hospital volunteering? And also, where (in the application process) would you show your volunteering experiences?</p>
<p>From my experience, in at least securing interviews that is, all of these are important. Different programs have different emphases though. For an 8-year program, they typically want to see a commitment to medicine, but also other well-developed outside interests. This is because most 8-years exist for the purpose of creating well-rounded physicians. Programs at schools with strong community service participation (Penn State, GW, Boston U) look for commitment to community service background and leadership. Overall the common themes that the programs look for are: Fit to the school, Service, Leadership, Interest in Medicine. You will not have a great chance of getting into one of these programs if you don’t try your best to show that you’re an outstanding student who can balance leadership and service and school, because those are the qualities of a future doctor. Best of luck as you finish high school, and feel free to PM me with any questions at any time! I know applying is stressful and right now I’ve only gotten back 1 acceptance and am waiting on my other results so once I know my other results perhaps I can offer you more insight.</p>
<p>@tenacious
Exactly; if you had 20 hours at different places which all added up to 600, it would not be as impressive as if you had 400 hours at one or two places. The adcoms are looking for passion and dedication, much more than number of hours. I would say to stay with the orphanages through senior year, while also starting hospital work and shadowing (most of us didnt start that anyways until junior year; i started sophomore year because the hospital messed up and lowered the age limit by accident), but make sure you do them! I’m surprised you’re so sure you want to do medicine at that age-- I was favoring business until I started a business internship and decided that it wasnt right for me. Consequently, I started volunteering at a hospital the same year and figured that it was a hell of a lot more interesting, and then continued to confirm that through shadowing experiences.</p>
<p>There is a place to put volunteer experiences on almost every application. Either that or you send in an extracurricular resume.</p>
<p>I posted this as a pm to someone and thought I might as well put it here because I took a while to type it up. </p>
<p>I’m guessing you’re talking about the post where the guy said which of the 4 is the most important yada yada yada. </p>
<p>Really the things these programs want to see is
<ol>
<li><p>You are a passionate person genuinely interested in doing good for others. Yeah everyone (except me apparently) gives that “I enjoy helping people” as a main reason for being a doctor, but you need proof to back that up. And honestly, it doesnt even sound that good when you say it; if you enjoyed helping people so much why wouldnt you become a social worker? Or a nun? Either way, its best to let your experiences speak this for you, and it would be pretty awful if you talk on and on about how you like to help people but dont really have anything to relate to. This is why volunteering is important, especially one on one volunteering where you have that bond.</p></li>
<li><p>You are smart enough/hardworking/good enough skill-wise to be a doctor. In addition to SAT scores/GPA, I guess this basically means you must have given up the time and dedication to your extracurriculars. I was a cross country runner (would’ve been captain but didnt do it senior year 
), and I had shown a good amount of leadership there. I had leadership in other areas too, which proves that no matter what I did, I rose to to the top and thrived. To go into medicine you have to have a mixture of natural smarts and be able to push yourself really really hard, which is what they look for. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>Honestly, I dont know how you know as a sophomore that you want to be a doctor, because I sure as hell didnt. But if you are, you should just think: What would make me the best possible doctor? What could I do to make myself a better physician in the future. And of course the what do I personally enjoy doing on the side (for me I do enjoy the business side of things, and am going to get an MBA/BS in the 4 years before my MD for my guaranteed program, others enjoy the engineering aspect of things, some research, and some even like the legal parts. And the whole: do i like working with autistic kids? Do I like working with orphans?). Its not really about hitting bases, but you need to create your own resume based on whats right for you: what you love to do and where you would think you would learn the most skills you need for the future. Do what you like and the passion will show.</p>
<p>tenacious10, I could not reply to your PM for some reason. I tried 3 times to reply to your PM but it will not go. May be you have your PM turned off or something? I am not sure what’s happening.</p>
<p>Everything is important. The most important are the ones that you are personally most interested in participating. Do not do anything that you personally have no interest of doing. Your interest/passion will come across during interview and will make a difference.</p>