Medical schools are highly competitive. The national acceptance rate is 43%, according to data compiled by the Association of American Medical Colleges. Students often ask, "How do I get into medical school?" Use these top 10 tips from doctors and medical students to help you prepare for your pre-health profession.

1. Get Some Medical Experience on Your Résumé

Job shadow with doctors and other medical professionals. Admissions committees don't expect applicants to have real experience actually treating patients. After all, you're not a doctor yet. But they do want to know that you've spent time getting to know what your future job would be like. Job shadowing is a great way to get some medical experience but there are other non-shadowing opportunities that may be available to you.

"Med school admissions committees want students to have realistic expectations for what a career in medicine will be like. says Dr. Sarah Carlson, an associate chief of surgery at VA Boston HCS, and an assistant professor at BU School of Medicine. who has also served on a medical school admissions committee. As an undergraduate, she volunteered to file x-rays at the local hospital, then parlayed that into an opportunity to talk with the radiologist. He explained both how to read x-ray films, and why he chose his profession. "It's those types of interactions that are important to have under your belt," she says. "Quite frankly, medicine isn't for everyone, so it's best if you do some soul-searching and spend some time with the people who have the job you want. Most doctors are happy to sit down with students who are considering a career in medicine."

Former pre-med student and current medical school student Karmyn Polakowski served with Michigan Tech's EMS for a couple of years. "It was definitely the highlight of my undergraduate career," she says. "I was not only able to deploy my patient interaction and care skills, but I found the EMS family that created bonds to last a lifetime. EMS brings out special qualities in everyone and learning how to utilize everyone’s strengths is really quite eye-opening. This lesson in itself makes me confident in my ability to work well as a physician amongst a group of other healthcare workers someday soon." Polakowski is now attending Michigan State University College of Human Medicine.

Other ways to get medical experience include becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or as a hospital scribe doing data entry. Some applicants are able to gain clinical experience by helping to care for family members.

2. Do Research Projects

3. Put in Time Serving Others

Dr. Carlson volunteered with the Big Brothers-Big Sisters organization. So did Joseph. Rake leaves, build an accessibility ramp, clean the beach, walk a dog. There are lots of non-clinical options for volunteering that demonstrate your willingness to pay it forward and supply back.

"They have many different programs and services." Joseph, accepted into Central Michigan University's College of Medicine, was part of the Forever Friends program, matched with an elderly woman she visited a few times each month. "I 've formed a great friendship with her, and hopefully, helped alleviate some loneliness. It 's a win-win!"

"Doctors are generally pretty altruistic people, and med schools want to see that you care about your community or have some drive to contribute to the greater good," says Dr. Carlson. "Community service comes in many forms, and really anything qualifies, from trash cleanup and mentorship programs to working the concession stand at a fund-raiser for a charity—anything that requires some unpaid time for a good cause."

Ask your pre-health professions advisor about volunteering opportunities on campus or in your community, which could include helping at local food banks or blood drives, local shelters for the homeless or those dealing with domestic violence. You could tutor, deliver good companionship and Meals on Wheels, or walk the dogs at a local animal shelter. Take an alternative spring break and work with Habitat for Humanity or on developing clean water sources for Third World countries. Check with your school for a list of community and global partners it works with who can use your time and talents. The mentors you develop will come in handy when it's time to gather recommendation letters—most schools ask for at least three—and the friendships you develop will last a lifetime.

4. Choose a Major You Will Excel In

Grades aren't everything, but they're extremely important. Choose a field of study that will yield a competitive GPA (grade point average). The recommended GPA for medical school applicants is 3.7 for MDs (medical doctors), 3.5 for DOs (doctors of osteopathy), and 3.4 for NDs (Doctor of Naturopathic). While many students who are planning careers in medicine decide to major in biology, Dr. Carlson earned her bachelor's in chemistry. Many of her colleagues majored in even more unexpected fields, including engineering, English, music, and classics.

"It 's OK if you 're not on the pre-med track right away when you start college; pursue experiences that genuinely interest you and rely on guidance from your faculty mentors to navigate your path"Carly Joseph

There is no such thing as a pre-med major, says pre-health professions advisor Dr. Kemmy Taylor, who works with students preparing for medical careers at Michigan Technological University. "There is no specific major requirement for getting into medical school.. You can major in whatever degree program you want." You will still need to do well in both your cumulative and your science GPA, classes like biology, physics, chemistry, and math, that are required for medical school admission. If you are struggling in any classes, get help right away.

During her fourth year, Joseph had to take many of the medical school prerequisite classes that were not part of her engineering curriculum and build a Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) study plan into her schedule.

5. Apply to Multiple Medical Schools

Improve your odds by not placing all your hopes on one school. Do individual research on each school, says Taylor; application requirements can vary from school to school and from year-to-year.

She also notes that you can reach out to admission committees with specific questions about the program and expectations. And, she says, don't be bummed if at first you don't succeed. Try again. "If you don 't get accepted into the school of your dreams, it 's OK! Schools have many applicants and can 't take everyone," says McKenzie, who was accepted into the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. "My dad, who has been a family physician for 29 years, often tells me, "An MD is an MD, it doesn't matter where you go to school."

"Don't take it personally when you get some rejections—they happen at every stage of the game. If you cast a wide net, you'll increase your likelihood of getting an acceptance."Dr.  Sarah Carlson

Other ways to get noticed among the hundreds or even thousands of medical school applications submitted each year: send supplemental materials beyond your application. For example, "if you've published a paper, consider sending a copy of the publication with a handwritten note to the director of admissions, indicating you really hope to be considered for acceptance," she says.

6. Study Early and Often for the Medical College Admission Test, or MCAT

MCAT scores range from 472-528. Accepted medical students average around 508. Recommended study time: 300-350 hours.

Take a course and buy books and study on your own. Find the method that works for you. Take practice tests many times and don't let your practice scores spook you, says McKenzie. "I used the Kaplan book series, and studied by reading, highlighting, and taking notes. The real MCAT was not as hard as the Kaplan test, in my opinion." The pre-health professions advisor can help you find the resources you need.

You can also join a pre-health professions club or association at your school, including Alpha Epsilon Delta, the national honor society for health pre-professionals. Members help each other get ready for tests, along with hosting speakers and events to help gain knowledge and experience.

7. Learn Another Language

"I speak Spanish almost every day at work," says Dr. Carlson. "It 's what I use the most from my premed education." Joseph spent a semester in Chile. "Focusing on language, culture, and people challenged me in a me in ways that technical classes couldn't and was critical in my preparation for medical school. If you 're thinking about studying abroad, do it. Communication and understanding different cultures are crucial skills for anyone entering the medical field, and medical schools look for applicants who make the effort to broaden their horizons culturally."

Medical volunteer programs abroad are another option to gain both life and health-care related experiences. Students are placed in hospitals and clinics in both rural and urban settings where staff is inadequate. Work, with professional guidance, can include giving vaccinations and other tasks interacting directly with patients, as well as helping to make facilities cleaner and more accessible. Programs are normally for people aged 18 and older

8. Don't Skimp on Extracurricular Activities

Show that you're interested in other things besides schoolwork. Dr. Carlson says having outside interests makes you stand out (she plays violin in an orchestra). "It's OK to indicate some of these personal interests on your med school applications—they supply the interviewers something to relate to you with," she says. "I interviewed one applicant who only got a C in biochemistry, but he wrote lots of letters to the admissions committee highlighting his other strengths. We accepted him, and he turned out to be a star."

"Medical schools like to see commitment in their applicants, be it to sports, work, or extracurricular activities," says McKenzie. "It 's easier to not join clubs and just do homework and relax, but devoting time now to extracurricular commitments is worth it in the long run. These experiences also supply you good opportunities to get to know people who can write the letters of recommendation."

Joseph says to choose activities based on what works best for you. Aim for quality rather than quantity.

"There 's a lot of pressure to have as many leadership roles as possible and be involved in tons of student organizations. For me though, having a few deep and lasting experiences was the way to go. I chose to invest my time in research, improving my Spanish, and volunteering," she says.

9. Be Polite and Be Yourself at Medical School Interviews

Research the schools you're interested in and look at mission statements, so you know something about the institution that you can share at the interview. Practice answering interview questions. When you arrive, be courteous to everyone you meet at the interview, including the receptionist.

"Schools are interested in learning what kind of student and person you are," says McKenzie. Schools invest in students and are looking for a good fit.

If you need help with effective body language, knowing how to dress professionally or for other tips, check out your school's Career Services office, which may offer mock interview opportunities and other techniques to help you present your best self.

10. Be Ready to Explain Why You Want to be a Doctor

Bonus Tips for Getting into Medical School

Dr. Carlson has two more important suggestions to help you successfully apply to medical school:

Ask a Mentor or Advisor to Pick Up the Phone and Make a Call for You

"This is an unwritten rule that everyone does and nobody ever told me until I was several years into my training," says Dr. Carlson. "If you want to go to a particular school, find a way to have one of your mentors or advisors reach out to the admissions committee on your behalf."

For example, if you wanted to go to the University of Michigan ask your advisor or another mentor to call the director of admissions or any other person they know and advocate for you. Email can also be effective, she says. "It's a bonus if your mentor/advisor actually has a personal contact at the medical school you're interested in. "There is a culture of 'I can vouch for this person' that goes very far in the medical world. A phone call won't get you in if your application is terrible, but if you're on the cusp of acceptance and someone makes a call on your behalf, it can supply you the push you need to be accepted."

Don't Be Afraid to Self-Promote (In a Humble Way).

"It's OK to highlight the accomplishments you're proud of; put these in your required personal statement or find a way to work them into conversation during interviews. The key is to do it humbly but confidently: 'I was fortunate enough to win a teaching award from my time as a chemistry lab TA, and that's something I'm really proud of.' It's OK to be proud of your own achievements! Selectively highlighting a few make your application stand out from the rest."

Pre-Health Professions at Michigan Tech

Michigan Tech's placement rate into medical school is 60 to 70 percent (well above the national average) and is nearly 100 percent for physical therapy school. Choose a pre-health profession and prepare for your future today.

Whether your goal is medical school or dental school, clinical experience during your undergraduate career is a must. Here are some common ways to gain it at SUNY Cortland.

Volunteer

Most hospitals house a Volunteer Department that students can contact to gain experience with patients. It may only be in patient transport or calling patients to review their hospital experience, but any contact with patients is beneficial.

Additionally, nursing homes and hospice centers need volunteers for a variety of tasks. Many volunteer opportunities also exist at important healthcare organizations such as rape/suicide crisis centers, HIV/AIDS resource clinics or Planned Parenthood.

One of the most common locations for our students to volunteer is the Cortland Medical Center. For more information, contact Jarrod Kolodziejczyk, the hospital’s director of volunteer services.

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

SUNY Cortland boasts a close-knit, award-winning Emergency Medical Services (EMS) student group that provides quality emergency care service 24 hours per day, seven days per week on campus.

The function of the squad has grown into a first response unit, as well as an organization which educates the campus community. The College also financially supports students in taking training courses such as the EMT basic course, which allows students to administer basic life saving techniques on a patient.

Learn more about EMS on its campus group page.

Observe in a Dental Office/Clinic

Pre-dental students can find volunteer opportunities to work locally at community health clinics, local schools or even globally to promote oral care in underserved populations.

A full list of opportunities and community health centers can be found on the American Dental Association website.

Shadow a Medical Doctor

The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) offers many tips on setting up a shadowing experience with a doctor, including how to find one, how to ask them and even what you should wear.

Members of SUNY Cortland’s Pre-Medical Advisory Committee can offer their expertise if you are interested in a shadowing experience.

Study Abroad

SUNY Cortland students can participate in a special study abroad trip to Cuernavaca, Mexico during winter break designed to expose pre-health professionals to healthcare in a developing country.

Students develop Spanish language skills to be effective healthcare providers, observe medicine in a variety of clinical settings and gain cross-cultural experiences that will add to their cultural competence.

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

A CNA works under the direction of a nurse, assisting in basic tasks such as obtaining vital signs and weight/height measurements as well as bathing and dressing people who cannot do these tasks alone. Generally, a CNA is required to complete a 75-hour training course and pass an assessment exam.

Phlebotomist 

Phlebotomists are the technicians that draw blood for laboratory analysis. They need to know everything about blood collection, including handling of needles, tubes, bags and related equipment, as well as the regulations associated with blood collection. A phlebotomy technician course is required, along with passing a national certification exam. Phlebotomy gives students a flexible, paid position to gain patient contact hours. 

Scribe

In this role, you follow Emergency Room clinicians around during clinical encounters and document medical history and physical exams in the electronic medical record. Scribing allows you to observe the patient-doctor interaction, learn medical terms and documentation skills and develop an understanding of challenges in healthcare.

Hospitals usually work with scribe companies that train and match students with area hospitals. Scribe America is a company that places students locally. Many require a yearlong commitment, which means that you will work part-time during the semester.

MultiCare clinical psychologist Kimberly Chupurdia knows the stories behind the 2023 data indicating higher rates of depression among teens – and for some – suicidal thoughts.

She regularly sees teenagers, among other patients, at the Rockwood Quail Run Clinic on the South Hill. She believes two reasons factor into the rise in teens’ anxiety and depression: lingering effects from COVID shutdowns and an uptick in social media use.

Some teens have had difficulties transitioning back to school and other social structures, even months beyond pandemic closures, Chupurdia said. While many schools returned to in-person classes by January 2022, there are teens still struggling, she said.

“Just the last couple of years, we’ve seen quite a rise in teens having significant mental health issues, as well as suicidal thoughts, feelings, behaviors,” said Chupurdia, who also is a behavioral health specialist.

“Some of these kids really felt like COVID was a traumatic experience, and they’re not dealing as well with the transition back into real life,” she said. “They aren’t doing as well with social interactions and integrating into the school systems. There’s a lot more anxiety. They still talk about it like it happened yesterday.”

A Washington state report released in July reported similar concerns.

It found 21% of 10th graders in Washington had considered suicide when they took a survey in 2021. About 16% actually planned a suicide, and 8% attempted suicide.

The report also detailed that 14% of 10th graders were bullied within the past month, that 39% felt sad or hopeless for two or more weeks in a row in the past year and that only 51% reported they had a trusted adult to consult with when sad or hopeless.

Signs and ways to help

Children between the ages of 12 and 15 who spend more than three hours a day on social media may be at a heightened risk for mental health problems, a 2019 study found.

Chupurdia urges no more than two hours a day for teens to view social media. Cyberbullying occurs, she said, but there are other online hazards.

“If you get on Instagram and you see your friend is out having fun with other people and posted a picture of that, to a kid who is a little anxious socially, that’s going to make them feel bad, ‘Why wasn’t I included? Why are they having fun without me? They must hate me,’ ” Chupurdia said. “They spin it in a way that is really unhealthy.

“No teenager should have unlimited access to social media; they are still children.”

The state of Washington has joined dozens of other states to sue Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, accusing the social media giant of fueling a nationwide youth mental health crisis by engineering products to be addictive for children.

Chupurdia offered some signs adults can look for regarding teen depression, including behavior changes such as unusual eating and sleeping patterns, withdrawal from others, impulsiveness, acting out more or arguing. It might be more impulsiveness without thinking through consequences or ongoing feelings of sadness and loss of interest in usual hobbies and activities.

“Prevention is primarily noticing that something is off and having somebody who is a professional – either medical professional or mental health professional – evaluate them,” Chupurdia said.

“When you see your kid not being your kid, I don’t think it’s ever a bad idea to overreact and get them checked out. It might mean going to see your regular provider to make sure.”

In Washington state, youths ages 13 and older can get behavioral health services without prior consent from a parent, guardian or family member. Medication can never be forced, Chupurdia said, and antidepressants aren’t always necessary.

Intensive group treatment is for serious depression and ongoing struggles with suicidal thoughts, she said.

“Hospitalization might be necessary if a teenager has a pretty specific plan.”

The most common therapy is one-on-one with a licensed professional to help the youths build coping skills. If teenagers are struggling with sleep, medication might aid with nightly rest, Chupurdia added.

“Getting a good night’s sleep is pretty key to managing depression.”

Parents should be aware of teenagers’ time spent on cellphones – and set limits ahead of regular bedtimes, Chupurdia said.

“The phone should go away an hour before bed so that they can unwind,” she said. “They should have a bedtime and not be allowed to stay up half the night on their phones.

“For someone who is feeling suicidal, I might even suggest a vacation from the phone and social media in general, for a couple of weeks, just to get rid of that saturation and to focus on actual in-real-life relationships.”

She said teens refer to IRL, for “in-real-life” friends, versus online friends. Some adolescents have befriended others solely online, such as in playing video games, without ever developing in-person relationships with them.

“That’s a problem regardless of suicide, but it certainly would be a risk factor, not having those in-real-life friends.”

Suicide risk goes up dramatically when there is also substance use, such as alcohol or marijuana, she added.

One challenge is that teenagers’ brains are still developing, so impulsive and experimental behaviors can happen, she said.

“It’s a fine line, but if you notice an increase in impulsive behaviors, I’d call that a risk factor.”

Parents might try to encourage a teen to do more social activities, she added, such as school sports, clubs or outside activities with peers.

Resources

Many primary care providers can evaluate a teen for mental health concerns and refer to a therapist. It’s becoming more common for providers to use a patient health questionnaire, or PHQ-9, with nine questions about depression and its severity. It asks how often someone has found little pleasure in doing things normally enjoyed, or the frequency of feeling down, depressed or hopeless.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 988.

Excelsior Wellness partners with Spokane County for a free service, at TeenTextSpokane.org or (844) 814-8336, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. It’s available to teens or young adults in Adams, Ferry, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane and Stevens counties.

The Trevor Project operates a 24/7 national suicide prevention hotline for LGBTQ youth, reachable by calling 1 (866) 488-7386, texting ‘START’ 678-678 or messaging online at thetrevorproject.org/get-help.

Pivotal decisions loom large for high school graduates and those with responsibility over them.

The trajectory has been a fairly straightforward line until now – learning and more learning.

Having completed high school, will the journey now lead directly to university? If so, what field of study? Will it be the technical training route? Or will it be perhaps a direct leap into a “dream” job?
Suddenly there are many options to choose from. It’s important to determine what’s advisable and what’s not.

Some may benefit from parental guidance, others may not. Some guardians may be ill-equipped to offer proper guidance. Knowing when and from whom to ask for help can make a big difference.

I am a researcher and educational psychologist with a particular interest in career counselling and helping people find their life’s purpose.

I have previously worked with thousands of students who need to make subject choices, learners who need to make career choices with a view to tertiary studies and other students who are uncertain whether they are pursuing an appropriate field of study.

The focus of this article is to provide a compass for families navigating the labyrinth of decisions for their high school graduates.

It becomes especially pertinent as the new year dawns and important choices loom ahead. I highlight four key guidelines.

1. Coping with disappointing grades
   The final high school exam is water under the bridge. Not all will have attained their desired success, that’s for sure.

But there are still ample reasons to remain optimistic about the future. First, let’s discard the term “fail” from our vocabulary.

Your current marks may limit your acceptance into your preferred field of study, but they don’t dictate your overall success in life. They don’t limit your career prospects.

It is essential to step back emotionally and to approach the experience logically. Everyone encounters both successes and setbacks and this is entirely normal.

If your results fall below expectations, view this as a manageable challenge. It’s an opportunity for personal growth and development, and for exhibiting resilience in rapidly changing and uncertain times.

In the face of disappointment, sadness, anxiety, or even depression following your exam results, dwelling on what might have been serves no purpose and offers little benefit.

Instead, consider for example the fact that your parents, guardians or caretakers cherish you as precious and love you unconditionally.

Foster open communication with them. Share your feelings with them through conversation or text, and actively listen when they express their thoughts. They are crucial pillars of your support structure.

It is crucial not to fixate on a preferred university, college or training institution. While research indicates that individuals with degrees often find employment more easily and earn higher salaries, university is not the only path to success.

Non-university study holds its own value, and each study discipline and tertiary training institution should be evaluated on its merits.

Consider specialised diplomas and certificates, such as those in information technology (for instance, cyber security), or technical qualifications (for instance, renewable energy wind turbine service).

These qualifications can be personally enriching and offer diverse career opportunities, often making students highly employable.
Don’t hesitate to seek career counselling from a qualified psychologist (career counsellor).

2. What to do if grades fall below expectations
   You may have secured decent grades – but not good enough to secure admission to your preferred course of study.

There are several avenues to explore. Some examination boards entertain requests for a reevaluation of exam papers, supplementary exams, or even repeating classes or specific subjects. These options call for diligence and dedication.

I always encourage determined learners to translate their aspirations into actions. For example, you could explore the option of pursuing your favoured field of study at training levels or institutions other than university.

Consulting with a career counsellor in this regard is essential. Seek advice from individuals who have successfully navigated similar situations – and from those who were unable to do so.

Consider the inspiring story of a student aspiring to study medicine, but failing to achieve desired grades and lacking exposure to mathematics or physical sciences in high school.

After completing high school, the student enrolled in mathematics and physical sciences at a post-school training institution, subsequently pursuing a general degree at a university.

Achieving excellent results, the student gained admission to study medicine and is now a final-year medical student. This illustrates that diverse routes can lead to a successful career.

The significance of high school subject symbols diminishes over time. You are encouraged to reflect on your short-, medium- and long-term goals and understand the purpose of your studies.

It should not primarily be about pleasing family or outperforming others. Instead, focus on becoming the best version of yourself. Competition with others serves no meaningful purpose.

3. Discovering a sense of meaning and purpose
   It is imperative to ensure that students cultivate a profound sense of meaning, hope and purpose in their lives.
   This is to say that you get a clear understanding of life’s purpose, why you are pursuing your studies, and what serves as your “north star”.

While choosing a field of study that supports financial stability is crucial, you should also consult a professional, such as a career psychologist, to uncover and enact your central life theme(s).

This helps you identify what you genuinely wish to achieve in life (for instance, helping others that have been bullied), beyond the numerical goals you aim to attain.

Furthermore, you need to be instilled with the belief that you possess the capacity to reach these goals and bring your dreams to fruition.

4. Identify your key life themes
   Once you have identified your key themes, you gain the ability to articulate your career-life purpose, addressing existential questions such as “Why do I live?” “Where am I headed?” “Why am I on this planet?” and “Is life worth living?”
   For example, one female high school graduate said to me:
   I lost my father due to cancer, and I love helping people with cancer. More than that, I want to help others who do not have access to medical help.

This evolves into a vision statement, revealing the social significance of her work.

Another shared her story, stating,
I fell pregnant before completing high school and was compelled to supply my child up for adoption. I subsequently studied social work. Today, I use my profound understanding of the challenges faced by young girls who become pregnant while still in school to help them navigate their pain and trauma.

A common thread weaving through these real-life stories is the transformative power of turning personal pain, hurt or “suffering” into triumph and social contributions.

In essence, it is about converting passive suffering into active mastery. The eminent Swiss psychologist Carl Jung once said:
Be grateful for your difficulties and challenges, for they hold blessings. In fact … (Humans) need difficulties; they are necessary for health, personal growth, individuation, and self-actualisation.

By assisting others who have overcome challenges similar to their own, individuals actively confront the pain they themselves have experienced.

The Conversation
Kobus Maree is Professor of Educational Psychology, University of Pretoria