The biggest fear of most students applying to BS/MD programs is that they won’t get into a program. But BS/MD programs have fears too. Do you know what they fear?
BS/MD programs worry about admitting students who are not committed to becoming a doctor or have the wrong motives. Many students start college with the intention of becoming a doctor. Yet, most of them change their mind for various reasons. Maybe the course work is too difficult, maybe they decide they just don’t want to be a doctor. Whatever the reason, the students who don’t have the commitment are weeded out.
The entire admission process of the BS/MD programs is designed to weed out the students who would not be a good fit for a BS/MD program. The minimum academic requirements are designed to find students that can handle the academic work of becoming a doctor. But academic ability alone is not sufficient to be a good doctor. BS/MD programs also want students who truly care about others.
Doctor shadowing, research, and volunteering in health care settings all reflect on your desire to become a doctor. Students who are not truly committed to becoming a doctor are not likely to engage in all of these activities while still in high school.
Volunteering also reflects on your care for others. It is for that reason that the longer you have participated in volunteering activities the stronger it appears that you are serious about helping other people. Starting to volunteer as a senior in high school makes you look as if you are only volunteering to look good on your college application. Not the impression you want to leave.
Your job, to be the most competitive candidate for the BS/MD programs, is to reduce the fear that the BS/MD programs have. Are you ready to reduce that fear?
Want more information about BS/MD programs? Check out the Guide to BS/MD Programs.
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