Components of a Strong Medical School Application
There are multiple components to a strong medical school application. In addition to having a strong academics, medical schools are looking for students who are motivated and involved in a variety of activities outside of the classroom setting.
Clinical Experience
Research
Community Service
Leadership
- Some examples of clinical experience are
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
- Personal Care Aid (PCA)
- Medical Scribe
- Check out more opportunities here!
- The pre-med society hosts a clinical experience meeting each semester. During these meetings you can learn more about what a typical shift looks like and the pros and cons of some common clinical experience opportunities
- It is important to note that not all medical schools accept all the clinical experience opportunities on the link above. Make sure to check the medical schools admission website to confirm what they will accept it as clinical experience.
Research
- UConn Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR)
- Lincus
- Lincus is a tool that helps you find specific research opportunities based on your interests
- Learn more here
- After logging in with your NetID, you can look up different topics and specify from there
- Lincus is a tool that helps you find specific research opportunities based on your interests
- How to reach out to professors
- Look at department websites and learn about the research professors are doing
- Send professors an email with your resume and ask if you can join their lab
- Note that sometimes not all professors will email back right away, it is ok to follow up a couple of times and reach out to multiple labs!
- Check out these email templates!
Community Service
- UConn Community Outreach (CO)
- There are many opportunities for students to get involved with service through CO. Students can apply to be a part of semester long programs, week long service trips, or sign up for one day service events.
- Check out their website for more information!
- Check within your local community, whether it's volunteering at a shelter or with your local Emergency Medical Service (EMS) there are so many ways to give back to others!
Leadership
- Positions on club executive boards (e-boards)
- Ex: The Pre-Medical Society e-board leadership positions (most clubs have at least the first five listed below)
- Co-Presidents
- Vice President
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Public Relations
- Community Service & Diversity Chair
- Newsletter Chair
- Medical School Mentor Coordinator
- Ex: The Pre-Medical Society e-board leadership positions (most clubs have at least the first five listed below)
- Community Outreach
- Residential Assistant
- UConn Undergraduate Student Government (USG) & Student Union Board of Governors (SUBOG)