For high school students with dreams of studying pre-med in college and becoming a doctor, it can feel like they have all the time in the world to prepare. But the reality is applications to medical schools are increasingly more complex and the playing field is more competitive. Here are a few key ways students can begin setting themselves apart from the pack long before they ever begin applying to med schools.
Commitment to the medical profession
In high school, students should be setting themselves up to succeed as a pre-med college student so they can present their strongest application to med schools down the line. Med schools will be looking for candidates who are passionate about medicine with an obvious commitment to the medical profession. And this commitment can come in the form of a high school pre-medical science diploma program. This type of program allows students to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to become a leader in the medical industry before they ever even apply to med school.
Create a strong foundation
High school students who are interested in pursuing a career in medicine should begin taking classes curated specifically for future health care professionals. These courses should lay the foundation for the work they will do in pre-med and medical school. The courses should work in collaboration with the school’s science and math departments and provide students with a variety of options directly related to the field of medicine. Some of these may include medical terminology, pathophysiology, innovation in healthcare, and global health research.
Gain real-world experience
In addition to foundational curated coursework, students interested in pursuing a career in medicine need the chance to be immersed in the profession through experiential learning activities. Experiential learning provides students the chance to learn by doing and reflecting on their experiences. For those with an eye toward med school, it offers real-world opportunities with medical industry professionals and provides access to specific skills based experiential learning activities. Some of these may include internships, partnerships, or mentorship programs and field work, or even observation of surgery and medical procedures.
Enrolling in a pre-medical sciences diploma program in high school is an excellent way for students to show their commitment to the profession, build a strong foundation, and gain real-world experiences they can take with them throughout their medical school journey.
The Village School, a Pre-K through 12th grade private day and boarding school in Houston, offers students in grades 9-12 the chance to graduate with a Pre-Medical Science Diploma Program. To learn more about how Village is delivering a global perspective, exceptional learning experiences, and access to world-class teachers to students interested in pursuing a career in medicine, visit thevillageschool.com
