April 6, 2018
As it is only a month away from my graduation and official status as Lipscomb alumni beginning, and I have answered the question of what I am doing next hundreds of times, I figured it is time for me to write an explanation on how to get to where I am now.
Both Brandon and I are going to a health professions graduate school, and through my job at the Ward Society at Lipscomb, I have seen the importance of older people investing in the success of younger students coming after. My little brother is beginning as a freshman at Lipscomb in the Fall as a Biology major planning to go to medical school as well, and I have created a guide including what to do and when in order to get the same results that we have (somewhat specific to Lipscomb):
Freshman year:
- Join med-club/pre-pharmacy society
- Begin shadowing
- Get a part time job in the field (pharmacy technician, EMT, medical scribe, interfaith dental clinic, etc.)
- Go on a spring break and/or summer mission trip
- Register with HPAC (Health professions advisory committee) and apply for scholarships
Sophomore year:
- Clinical research (during summer or throughout year)
- Spring break mission trip
- Study abroad (Maymaster or semester)
- Volunteer with a local nonprofit in the field (use this as SALT scholar and honors scholar project)
- Look for leadership opportunities in extracurriculars (honors college, Greek life, SGA)
Junior year:
- Interview with HPAC committee
- Study for entry test (MCAT, PCAT, etc.)
- Take entry exam in Winter or May
- Spring break mission trip
- Apply to school JUNE 1
Senior year:
- Interview at schools
- Apply for scholarships
- Make a backup plan (gap year, master’s program)
Overall, consistency is key, continue shadowing, working in the field, stay involved in extracurricular activities ALL 4 YEARS. This shows commitment and perseverance. Also, a bad GPA and exam score cannot be made up for, so focus on that!
