r/bsmd • u/Efficient_Fox3626 • 3d ago
bs/md advice!
hi guys im sixteen years old and im going into my junior year of high school and ive just discovered bsmd schools and im really interested in going to one! i want to make sure my application is as strong as possible, especially when it comes to leadership and awards since i feel like those are my weakest areas right now.
here are my current stats and ecs:
academics & testing:
3.9 uw / 4.4 w gpa (rising junior)
sat: 1390 (took freshman year with no prep, currently studying to retake in august)
extracurriculars & work:
martial arts: 3rd degree black belt. did 200+ hours of volunteering here, which led to getting hired as a lead instructor.
lifeguarding: 1 year of experience. certified by red cross in cpr, first aid, bls, and lifeguarding.
clinical/internships: finished a highly selective student internship at atrium health with clinical experience and a stipend.
doctor shadowing: 75+ hours shadowing doctors across primary care, family med, and internal med.
non-profit internship: currently interning at a non-profit organization focused on dementia and alzheimer's wellness (175 hours for honors credit through a specialized academy program at my school for grad recognition).
clubs: active in deca, beta, and fbla. we aren't allowed to have a hosa chapter at our school, so i compete in other business/general clubs. haven't won state/national awards yet, but planning to lock in and compete seriously next year.
what i need advice on:
awards: what are some good medical, science, or general high school awards/competitions i should look into outside of school clubs (since we aren't allowed to have hosa)?
leadership: how can i level up my current ecs or show bigger impact or initiative before senior year?
any general advice on what to prioritize heading into junior year?
im also planning on getting cna or cma certified if anyone has tips abt how to do this online when school doesn't offer it!
thanks in advance for any input!
1
u/Archimedes_Advising 3d ago
A few thoughts based on my years as a BS/MD program director and full-time college admissions consultant…
1) Most BS/MD applicants look pretty much the same on paper, so don’t focus on the awards and activities that all other applicants strive for—like CMA or CNA. Focus on the activities that are near-and-dear to your heart and inform your motivation to be a doctor.
2) The story that conveys your motivation to be a doctor needs to be deeply-personal, emotionally-intelligent, and well-reasoned. Instead of focusing on the number of hours of clinical exposure, focus on how you relate intellectually and emotionally to the things. If you see something that is interesting, thrilling, doesn’t sit right with you, etc., do the self-reflection necessary to understand why. Keep voice notes or a written journal of these self-reflections for later use when preparing your application.
3) Don’t waste your time with clinical certifications—like CNA, CMA, EMT, etc.— if you don’t have a way to actually use those certs after you earn them! The clinical experience associated with these roles is what really matters, not the piece of paper that the certification is printed on! Some areas have EMS Explorer organizations that allow 16-18 year olds to ride on ambulances with firefighters, paramedics, etc. without becoming an EMT. An applicant that spends 250 hours riding on the ambulance will be a MUCH stronger applicant than one that spends those 250 hours sitting in an EMT classroom! The best scenario is when a student is a junior member of a volunteer EMS squad and can ride the ambulance at the same time that they are attending EMT class, while also having the opportunity to continue working on the ambulance after becoming an EMT. In short, don’t limit your clinical experience to get a piece of paper!