The new school year is gearing up, and whether you’re a freshman or an experienced student who’s new to the premed path, you might be wondering what to do. What matters? How do you succeed? What’s expected of you as a premed? Hopefully, we can answer those questions for you here.
Tip #1: Get Clinical Experience Early
Before you devote a ton of time and energy to heading down the premed path, take time to make sure this is what you actually want. The only way you can really know if you want to be a physician is to get exposure to the field. We generally advise that you prioritize clinical experience above shadowing when it comes to the number of hours, but you need to do both. They serve different purposes, and both are important. Clinical experience will show you whether you want to care for others, and shadowing will show you whether you want to be a physician specifically.
You can get started by signing up for free eShadowing!
Tip #2: Focus on Becoming a Good Student
This tip is especially important if you’re starting college for the first time or taking a full course load for the first time. It’s easy to get overwhelmed between difficult classes, clinical experience, and other extracurriculars. Choose one or two things to focus on outside of class, and if you find yourself getting overwhelmed, it’s okay to let things go until you’re ready to come back to it.
You’ll need a support system to get you through the stresses of being a premed. Build relationships with your classmates, and you can support each other through all the highs and the lows. Students a year or two ahead of you might also have great advice and resources to give you.
Like we always say, collaboration, not competition, is the key to your success. Find other premeds to connect to in The Premed Hangout.
Tip #4: Don’t Obsess Over Grades
There’s so much more to being premed than getting great grades, and there’s so much more to being a person than being premed. Make time for hobbies and friendships, and you’ll be happier and more successful in the long run.
Your professors can be one of your greatest resources during and after your time in their class. They can help you succeed in their class if you take the time to reach out and attend office hours. They can also help connect you with research or other extracurricular opportunities. Good relationships with your professors can also be key to a successful application when they write you a letter of recommendation.
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What our listeners are saying
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I just received my admission to XXXXX! This is unreal and almost feels like I am dreaming. I want to thank you for all of your help with my application. I cannot overstate how influential your guidance and insight have been with this result and I am eternally grateful for your support!
Farbod K
IM SO HAPPY!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR HELP, IM INDEBTED TO YOU! Truly, thank you so much for all your help. Thank you doesnt do enough.
Eva L
I want to take a few moments and thank you for all of your very instructive, kind and consistent feedback and support through my applications and it is your wishes, feedback, and most importantly your blessings that have landed me the acceptance!
Rajeev J
I got into XXXXX this morning!!!! It still has not hit me that I will be a doctor now!! Thank you for all your help, your words and motivation have brought me to this point.
Sunny D
I wanted to once again express my heartfelt gratitude for your help in providing feedback during my secondary applications. Your guidance has been instrumental in my journey.
Anthony M
Just wanted to share my wonderful news! I received my first medical school acceptance! Thank you for all that you do for us Application Academy!!!
Jenny E
I am excited to tell you that I just got my third interview invite from XXXXX today! I can’t believe it. I didn’t even know if I was good enough to get one, let alone three – by mid-September. Thank you so much for all of your help and support up to this point; I would not be in this position without it!!
Jacob J
I wanted to thank you for helping me prepare for my XXXXX interview. Even in a 30-minute advising session, I learned so much from you. Thank you for believing in me, and here’s to another potential success story from one of your advisees!
Jonathan L
I just received an acceptance with XXXXX! This is so exciting and such a huge relief and so nice to have one of our top choice schools! I also received an interview with XXXXX which brings the total up to 20 interviews! Thank so much, none of this would have been possible without you!
