How to Get Pre Med Experience While in High School

Pursuing a career in medicine offers many benefits. Firstly, it’s a highly respected and rewarding profession, as you will be able to make a positive impact on people's lives by diagnosing and treating illnesses, injuries, and diseases. Secondly, the field of medicine is constantly evolving, and you will be able to continuously learn new technologies, treatments, and procedures.

Getting pre med experience early will set you on the right track.

Thirdly, it provides a sense of job security as the demand for healthcare professionals is expected to increase in the coming years. Additionally, a career in medicine can also be financially rewarding with a high earning potential. Lastly, medicine provides the opportunity to work with a diverse group of people and interact with patients from different backgrounds and cultures.

Sounds pretty good, right? All of that considered, it’s no wonder that medical school is a rigorous experience. Naturally, if you're a high school student interested in pursuing a career in medicine, you may be wondering how you can start preparing for medical school in high school.

As a high school student, the thought of pursuing a career in medicine may seem daunting. However, with the right preparation and experience, you can set yourself up for success in the field of medicine. Luckily, there are many things you can do to gain valuable pre med experience while still in high school.

Can you get pre med experience in high school?

If you want to get pre med experience in high school, why not go abroad?

Yes, it’s possible to gain pre med experience while still in high school. Are you wondering what to do in high school for medical school? Good news—there are several ways to do this, including taking relevant classes, participating in internships and volunteer programs, and studying abroad.

There is also a multitude of things you can do both inside and outside of the classroom to prepare you for medical school and give yourself a leg up and stand out from your peers. Read on to learn how to prepare for medical school in high school.

What to do in high school for medical school

1. Take relevant classes

There are a few high school classes you should take for pre med. Classes such as biology, chemistry (and organic chemistry, if your school offers this AP option), and physics will give you an understanding of the basic principles of human physiology and anatomy—some of the fundamentals that are required for medical school. It’s even better if you can take these as AP classes, in order to better prepare yourself for the demanding workload of pre med undergrad and medical school.

By taking relevant classes in high school, you will be able to perform better on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and be better prepared for the challenging coursework ahead of you. Additionally, taking relevant classes in high school can also help you develop good study habits, time management skills, and discipline, which are all essential for success in medical school.

2. Get practical experience through internships

An international medical internship will provide invaluable pre med experience.

Many hospitals and clinics offer high school medical internships, which can give you a better understanding of what it's like to be a physician and what the different medical fields entail. For example, you can get practical experience through medical internships for high school students abroad. These experiences exist all over the world and allow students to gain real-world experience in the field of medicine, while broadening their horizons.

This can include observing surgeries, interacting with patients, and learning about different medical specialties. Additionally, high school medical internships provide an opportunity to work alongside healthcare professionals and learn from their experiences. They can also help to solidify a student's interest in the field and give them a better understanding of the day-to-day tasks and responsibilities of a medical professional.

Medical internships for high school students abroad or at home can also help students develop important skills such as teamwork, time management, and communication. These skills will only benefit your career in medicine!

READ: How to Find Pre-Physician Assistant Summer Internships

3. Participate in volunteer programs

Medical volunteer programs for high school students, both locally and abroad, are an important step in preparing for medical school because it allows students to gain hands-on experience in the healthcare field, all while making a tangible difference in their host community.

Volunteer programs provide the opportunity to observe healthcare professionals in action, interact with patients and understand their needs, and learn about the inner workings of a hospital or clinic.

Additionally, medical volunteer programs can help students develop important skills such as communication, empathy, and problem-solving, which are essential for success in the medical field. As a high school medical volunteer, you can give back to your host community and make a positive impact on people's lives.

Plus, medical schools look for applicants who have a strong sense of social responsibility and a desire to make a difference in the world. Participating in volunteer programs can demonstrate to medical schools that you have these qualities and are committed to an ethical, change-driven career in medicine.

READ: Is it Better to Intern or Volunteer Abroad Pre Med?

4. Study healthcare abroad

Studying medicine abroad will give you unique perspectives that you can apply in your career.

Studying abroad in a country where the healthcare system is different than the one you are familiar with can give you new perspectives on healthcare and medicine, and help you develop intercultural communication skills.

Further, studying abroad in high school can provide value, exposing students to different healthcare systems and practices, broadening their understanding of the field and its global implications. Not to mention, studying abroad provides new perspectives and knowledge that will be invaluable during undergrad.

During medical study abroad, students develop important skills such as adaptability, cultural competence, and language fluency. These skills will not only be beneficial for medical school but also for their future careers as physicians. Taking classes about medical practices and the medical field gives students a better understanding of what a career in medicine entails and whether it’s the right path for them.

READ: How to Find Medical School Electives Abroad

5. Read and stay informed about healthcare

To prepare for pre med and medical school, it’s important to stay up-to-date on current issues and developments in the field of medicine. Being consistently knowledgeable in this area gives you a better understanding of what to expect in the field and how you can contribute to it.

Additionally, reading about healthcare will expose you to the different areas of medicine, such as different specialties, research, and public health. This will help you to determine what area of medicine is most interesting to you and where you want to focus your studies.

Plus, reading about healthcare will also help you to develop a deeper understanding of the social, economic, and ethical aspects of the field, which will be beneficial when you start medical school.

6. Engage in extracurricular activities

In such a rigorous field, going the extra mile will benefit both your academics and your future patients!

Engaging in extracurricular activities in high school is important to prepare for med school, as it demonstrates to pre med programs and medical schools that you are a well-rounded individual with a variety of interests and skills.

Participating in science fairs, medical clubs, research programs, and even language learning can increase your chances of getting accepted into a medical program, as it can make you a more attractive and competitive candidate for admission. Extracurricular activities can also provide valuable leadership and teamwork experience, which are important skills to have in the medical field.

Participating in extracurricular activities can help you develop time management skills and the ability to balance multiple responsibilities, both of which are important for success in medical school and the medical profession. You’ll be able to explore your interests and passions, which can help you identify areas of medicine that you may be particularly interested in pursuing.

READ: 10 Most Useful Languages to Learn for Medicine

7. Maintain a strong academic record

Medical school is a challenging and competitive process, so having good grades and strong test scores is essential. Medical schools are highly competitive, and they often have strict academic requirements that applicants must meet.

A strong academic record can help demonstrate your commitment to academic excellence and your ability to handle the rigors of medical school. Medical school and pre med are demanding experiences that requires a significant amount of time and dedication, and nothing demonstrates that you can hold your own like a great track record while you’re still in high school.

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Preparing for med school during high school will put you on the right track!

Make the most of your time in high school!

Pursuing a career in medicine is a challenging but rewarding journey. By gaining pre med experience while in high school, you can set yourself up for success and increase your chances of getting accepted into a pre med program or medical school.

Now that you know how to prepare for medical school in high school, it’s important to remember that while getting pre med experience in high school is crucial, it's not the only thing that matters when applying to medical school. Keep your grades up, maintain a well-rounded extracurricular profile, and research the schools you're interested in to ensure you're making the best decision for your future.

The more experiences you gain and knowledge you obtain in high school, the more you will have to offer to the medical field.

This article was written with help from International Medical Aid, who also provided all photos seen above. IMA is a not-for-profit organization that offers medical programs for students in places like East Africa, South America, and the Caribbean through an ethics-based approach to care. They offer summer, fall, and winter programs.