Hey everyone, I'm really interested in pursuing medicine in college, so I'm trying to get a head start in high school. Are there any pre-med high school programs I should look into, like summer programs or extracurriculars? Any advice would be appreciated!
Hi there! It's terrific that you're exploring your interest in medicine early on. There are several summer programs and extracurriculars you can participate in during high school to help you prepare for a pre-med path in college.
1. Internships and summer programs: CollegeVine's blog contains a comprehensive list of well-regarded medical internships and summer programs designed for high school students: https://blog.collegevine.com/medical-internships-for-high-school-students
2. Research programs: Look for local opportunities where you can work alongside professionals in the medical field, such as internships at hospitals, research labs, or universities. You can gain valuable knowledge of the medical field and connections by engaging in research during high school.
3. Volunteering: Volunteering at a hospital, clinic, or nursing home can expose you to the medical environment and help develop your communication and empathy skills, which are valuable for a future healthcare professional. Plus, volunteering is an excellent way to give back to your community.
4. Healthcare-related clubs: Join or start a club at your high school which focuses on healthcare-related topics, such as HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America), a club that aims to expose high school students to future careers in the healthcare industry. Clubs like this often participate in competitions and offer networking opportunities.
5. Taking relevant courses: While not a program per se, you should focus on taking advanced science and math courses (like AP Biology, AP Chemistry, and AP Calculus) during high school to build a strong foundation for pre-med studies in college. The teachers of these courses may also have suggestions for how to enhance your candidacy as a future pre-med student.
Remember to focus on experiences that genuinely interest you, as truly enjoying yourself will help you deepen your passion for and understanding of the field you're heading into. Good luck!
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