What extracurriculars are important for admission to medical school?

I know one has to volunteer at a hospital and do outside research, but what distinguishes one applicant from another in terms of admission? What are some noteworthy extracurriculars? Joining on-campus organizations or student council? Is volunteer work in general non-medical related also acceptable? Can someone who got accepted to medical school please list their application statistics and any outside involvement?

What extracurriculars are important for admission to medical school?
By a huge margin, your GPA and MCAT score are much more important than extracurriculars. After those things, experience in the medical field is preferrable such as shadowing a physician or volunteering in a hospital. The idea is that they want to know that you are aware of what a doctor actually does, and not just have some romantic ideal of being a physician.


After that, doing something heart touching volunteer experience is always good. Tutoring blind kids, helping the poor, etc are all good.


Finally, try to work in a medical related capacity, CNA, EMT, Pharmacy Tech, insurance intake, etc during the summer or on weekends.
Reply:There isn't a script to follow. I had a classmate who was a history major who did civil war re-enactments. Another had been law enforcement and was on a competitive shooting team. Essentially, the admission committee wants you to give them a picture of who you are...what floats your boat. They don't want to accept the dweeb who sits in his room all night pulling legs off flies. They want to see that you have a full life, you are active in your life and that you have other interests that will help keep you 'normal'.
Reply:Be a Volunteer at a Hospital. Participate in Health Events (Walk for AIDS, etc.) anything that shows that you care as in Healthcare the Secret of Success is in the CARING more than the care!!