Best Med School Extracurriculars to Boost Your Application

Key Takeaways

• Med schools prefer meaningful, long-term commitments over a long list of unrelated activities. Depth of involvement matters more than the number of activities.
• Extracurriculars highlight essential qualities like leadership, resilience, teamwork, and empathy, which are crucial for future doctors.
• Prioritize activities that align with your passions while maintaining strong academics to avoid burnout.
• A mix of clinical exposure, research, volunteering, leadership, and unique personal interests make for a compelling and well-rounded application.

Extracurricular activities are anything you do outside of the classroom that helps shape who you are—sports, volunteering, leadership roles, and even hobbies like art or music. While they’re often seen as “extra,” these activities are far from it, especially when applying to medical school. 

Med schools are looking for well-rounded applicants who demonstrate commitment, leadership, and a passion for helping others, and extracurriculars are your chance to show that. 

From shadowing a physician, running a student club, or volunteering at a hospital, these experiences give you a chance to stand out and prove you’re more than just your grades. So, let’s dive into why these activities matter so much in your medical school journey!

Top Med School Extracurriculars That Impress Admissions

Not all extracurricular activities carry the same weight in med school applications. Admissions committees value experiences that show commitment, leadership, and a genuine passion for medicine. Clinical experience, research, volunteering, and shadowing stand out the most. 

However, non-medical activities – like leadership roles, sports, or creative pursuits – can also make you a well-rounded candidate. The key is depth over breadth; meaningful involvement matters more than a long list of random activities.

Clinical experience

Clinical experience is essential for medical school applications because it shows that you understand what being a doctor involves. Med schools want applicants who have seen the realities of patient care and still feel passionate about pursuing medicine. It also helps you develop communication skills, empathy, and a stronger application narrative.

Here are three key types of clinical experience for pre-med students:

• Shadowing a physician: Observing a doctor in action gives you firsthand insight into daily responsibilities, decision-making, and patient interactions. It’s a great way to explore different specialties and confirm your interest in medicine.
  
• Volunteering in a healthcare setting: Whether in a hospital, clinic, or hospice, volunteering allows you to engage with patients, build compassion, and show long-term commitment to healthcare.
  
• Working as a medical scribe: Scribes document patient visits in real-time, giving you exposure to medical terminology, diagnoses, and treatment plans while working closely with physicians.

Research experience

Research experience is valuable for medical school applicants because it develops critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and an understanding of scientific inquiry – essential qualities for future doctors. Med schools appreciate applicants who contribute to medical knowledge and demonstrate intellectual curiosity beyond the classroom.

The common types of research opportunities for pre-med students include:

• Clinical research: Involves studying patient outcomes, new treatments, or disease progression. Pre-meds may assist with data collection, patient interviews, or literature reviews, gaining insight into evidence-based medicine.
  
• Laboratory research: Focuses on biological or chemical experiments, often involving cells, tissues, or DNA. This hands-on experience sharpens analytical skills and introduces students to the scientific process behind medical advancements.
  
• Public health & epidemiology research: Examines health trends, disease prevention, and community health outcomes. It’s ideal for students interested in population health, global medicine, or policy-making.

Community service & volunteering

Medical schools aren’t just looking for students with top grades – they want future doctors who genuinely care about people. That’s where community service and volunteering come in. Getting involved in service work proves you’re compassionate, socially aware, and willing to go the extra mile for others. It’s not just about checking a box; it’s about making a real impact.

So, what are some meaningful ways to volunteer?

• Hospital & clinic volunteering: Whether greeting patients, helping at the front desk, or assisting staff, being in a healthcare environment builds comfort around patients and professionals alike.
  
• Community health outreach: Think vaccination drives, health fairs, or public education campaigns. These experiences connect you with real-world health challenges outside the classroom.
  
• Supporting underserved populations: Working with homeless shelters, food banks, or refugee assistance programs shows your dedication to helping vulnerable communities, which is something med schools highly value.

Find a cause that matters to you, and get involved!

Leadership & student organizations

Leadership experience isn’t just a nice addition to your application – it’s proof that you can handle responsibility, make decisions, and inspire others. Doctors often lead medical teams, advocate for patients, and drive change in healthcare, so demonstrating leadership early on sets you apart.

How can you gain leadership experience as a pre-med student?

• Joining pre-med clubs & health organizations: Becoming a club officer or leading initiatives within groups like the American Medical Student Association (AMSA) or a campus pre-med society can develop organizational and teamwork skills.
  
• Organizing health awareness campaigns: Running events on mental health, disease prevention, or first aid training shows initiative and a passion for public health.
  
• Creating or leading a personal initiative: Founding a mentorship program, a community service project, or a health blog showcases creativity, drive, and commitment to making a difference.

Non-medical extracurriculars that show character

Non-medical extracurriculars highlight your personality, resilience, and passions beyond science, making you a well-rounded and memorable applicant. Playing a sport shows discipline and teamwork, while music or art reflects creativity and dedication. 

Even activities like debate, theater, or entrepreneurship demonstrate leadership and problem-solving – essential qualities for future doctors who must think critically and adapt in high-pressure situations.

Sports and athletics

Sports and athletics teach invaluable skills that translate directly into medicine. Whether you’re part of a team or compete individually, sports develop discipline, resilience, and the ability to perform under pressure – just like in the medical field. Balancing training with academics also strengthens time management, a crucial skill for med school.

The level of competition doesn’t matter as much as the dedication you show. Varsity and club sports require commitment, teamwork, and leadership, proving you can handle responsibility. Recreational sports demonstrate a passion for staying active and a balanced lifestyle.

Coaching young athletes is another great way to gain leadership experience while mentoring others. Teaching discipline, strategy, and perseverance to a team – or even a single player – mirrors the guidance and patience required in medicine.

Ultimately, med schools appreciate applicants who show persistence, adaptability, and teamwork – traits every athlete naturally develops through sports.

Music, arts, and creative activities

Creativity isn’t just for artists; it’s a powerful skill for future doctors, too. Engaging in music, visual arts, dance, theater, or creative writing boosts self-expression, focus, and perseverance, all of which are essential in medicine. Whether learning an instrument, performing on stage, or painting, these activities require dedication and problem-solving, much like diagnosing and treating patients.

Artistic pursuits also enhance emotional intelligence. Music and theater, for example, help you understand emotions and communicate effectively, while dance and visual arts encourage patience and discipline. These experiences make you more empathetic, a critical trait for physicians who must connect with patients from all backgrounds.

Creative activities, on the other hand, serve as an excellent form of stress relief. Med school is demanding, and knowing how to manage stress in a healthy way – through art, music, or writing – shows resilience. Admissions committees value applicants who bring unique perspectives and balance into their rigorous journey.

Entrepreneurial ventures

Entrepreneurial ventures showcase problem-solving skills, initiative, and adaptability – qualities every great physician needs. From starting a small business to launching a blog or developing a product, these experiences highlight your ability to take risks, think critically, and push through challenges. In medicine, doctors constantly adapt to new research, evolving treatments, and unexpected patient cases – just like entrepreneurs navigate market changes and setbacks.

Running a business or leading a project also builds leadership and decision-making skills. Managing finances, marketing, or a team requires strategic thinking and the ability to work under pressure, much like making quick yet informed medical decisions.

Beyond that, entrepreneurship teaches resilience. Facing setbacks, problem-solving on the fly, and staying motivated despite obstacles mirror the perseverance needed in medical school and beyond. Admissions committees appreciate applicants who take initiative and demonstrate leadership in unique ways, proving they have the drive to succeed in a demanding career.

How to Choose the Right Extracurriculars

Medical schools care more about quality over quantity when it comes to extracurriculars. A long list of scattered activities won’t impress admissions committees as much as meaningful, long-term commitments that show dedication, leadership, and personal growth. Sticking with a few key activities allows you to take on leadership roles, make a real impact, and gain deeper insights, standing out far more than brief participation in multiple clubs.

Before committing to extracurriculars, ask yourself: How much time can I realistically dedicate without sacrificing academics? Medical schools prioritize strong grades and MCAT scores, so balance is key. Overloading yourself can lead to burnout, making it harder to excel in both coursework and activities.

When selecting extracurriculars, think about what excites you and where you can make a lasting impact. Leadership, consistency, and personal growth matter more than just “checking boxes.” Reflect on how each activity contributes to your journey toward medicine. Prioritize depth over breadth, and ensure your commitments remain sustainable and meaningful.

Conclusion

Extracurricular activities play a huge role in shaping a strong medical school application. They give you the chance to show your passion, leadership, and ability to balance priorities. Whether it’s volunteering, research, sports, or creative ventures, the key is meaningful involvement that helps you grow. 

Focus on quality, depth, and long-term commitment, rather than spreading yourself too thin. Remember, it’s not just about doing activities – it’s about learning, evolving, and showcasing the qualities that make you a future doctor. So, choose wisely, stay engaged, and let your unique experiences shine!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

How many extracurriculars do you need for med school?

There’s no exact number of extracurriculars required for medical school, but quality matters more than quantity. Aim for 3-5 meaningful activities that allow you to demonstrate leadership, commitment, and personal growth, especially those related to healthcare or community service.

Are paid jobs considered extracurricular activities for med school?

Paid jobs can be considered extracurriculars if they help you develop transferable skills like leadership, communication, and time management. Healthcare-related jobs, such as being a medical scribe or EMT, are particularly valuable as they directly relate to your future medical career.